Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Stamford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Stamford CT and start your journey that will result in a satisfying profession in legal services. However, it's crucial that you find the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. As you most likely understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more educational choices are being offered, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you ought to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Education and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in Stamford CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are available as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few of the highly respected certifying organizations in the field are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Programs
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more common and may be a good option for students living in Stamford CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps ensure that the education you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Schools
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Stamford CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to consider also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at a few of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Stamford CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to make a decision based on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Stamford CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Stamford CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are reviewing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you desire to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Stamford CT area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Stamford CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Stamford CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose provides that option. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Stamford
Enroll in the Best Stamford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal studies certificate program is a vital first step toward your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Stamford home. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Stamford Connecticut.
Stamford Paralegal Programs | Stamford Paralegal Certificate Programs