Paralegal Studies Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Stratford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Stratford CT and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. However, it's crucial that you locate the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need to achieve success. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both at school and online. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you need to consider. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at the instructional choices that are offered 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 educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Stratford CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve just six months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly respected certifying agencies 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 program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be an excellent alternative for students living in Stratford CT looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less costly than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and conventional setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training options are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Stratford CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other crucial factors to consider as well, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you pick should be accredited by a reputable organization 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 focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of Stratford CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the School's Reputation? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will have to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several Stratford CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Stratford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ among states, it may be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the community where you want to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first look at those schools that are within the Stratford CT region.
How Much is the Entire Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in cost based on the credential obtained and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so don't forget to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is available in Stratford CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, a portion these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Numerous legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Stratford CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you choose provides that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making-up classes missed as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Stratford
Enroll in the Best Stratford Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the ideal paralegal studies training school is a vital first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Stratford residence. Paralegal academic programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the right education you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Stratford Connecticut.
Stratford Paralegal Training | Stratford How To Become A Paralegal