Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Best One Near Tolland Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Tolland CT, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. However, it's important that you locate the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. A growing number of educational options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related professions within the United States. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many alternatives? When looking for paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to consider. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your choice. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both hold comparable job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Tolland CT attorneys with a wide variety of job duties, including maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job functions are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and follow a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their regular tasks might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers have the ability to handle a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Tolland CT is by obtaining a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. Once you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Tolland CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added benefit, online classes can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Tolland 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 particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other significant issues to research also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose should be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Tolland CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the legal assistant programs you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some Tolland CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Keep 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 Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Tolland CT legal community. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Because laws differ from state to state, it may be advantageous to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduation. Also, it will be necessary to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive 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 need to initially investigate those colleges that are within the Tolland CT region.
What is the Complete Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to contact the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Tolland CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these added costs, such as for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Tolland CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select offers that option. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Tolland
Enroll in the Best Tolland Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the right paralegal certificate school is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Tolland home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal education you can realize your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Tolland Connecticut.