Paralegal Studies Certificate
How to Select the Best One Near Waterbury Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Waterbury CT and start your journey that will result in a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the ideal school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to succeed. As you probably know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right school with so many alternatives? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the school should be considered too. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Waterbury CT attorneys with a wide range of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Filing legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not limited to clerical or administrative duties more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to take on a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are actually the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Waterbury 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 extensive education and may 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 offered also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to proceed and earn a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Training
Online paralegal or legal assistant programs have become more popular and may be an excellent option for individuals living in Waterbury CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be especially appealing to those who continue to work while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal choice for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what training choices are available, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the Waterbury CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other significant issues to research also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are considering so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous Waterbury CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are typically available only for accredited programs.
What's the Program's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior experience, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact a few Waterbury CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Keep in mind that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law practice or other legal enterprise while still in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Waterbury CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement 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 corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws differ from one state to another, it may be advantageous to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the area where you want to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially consider those schools that are within the Waterbury CT region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Waterbury CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? A number of paralegal students keep working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Waterbury CT, make certain classes are available 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 missed classes because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Waterbury
Enroll in the Best Waterbury Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the ideal paralegal studies degree school is a crucial first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Waterbury residence. Paralegal training programs are offered in numerous formats and lengths. Several types of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to succeed in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education 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 education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Waterbury Connecticut.
Waterbury Paralegal Certificate | Waterbury Paralegal Degrees