Paralegal Studies School
How to Find the Right One Near Watertown Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Watertown CT and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to be successful. More and more academic alternatives are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But just how do you go about finding the right school with numerous alternatives? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be taken into account also. Later on in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The quickest way to begin your career as a legal assistant in Watertown CT is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a certificate or degree, you might choose to continue and get a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help increase your job opportunities, but help substantiate 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 school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Legal Assistant and Paralegal Online Programs
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for those living in Watertown CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially attractive to students who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online programs can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic choices are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Watertown CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can compare each one. This is particularly 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 commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other important aspects to think about also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a respected organization such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Watertown CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are considering. This is of specific importance if you are entering the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Confirming that the program you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Watertown CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even if a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students a chance to experience working in a law practice or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer a pathway for students to start creating contacts within the Watertown CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it may be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the area legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to receive your education in the area where you choose to work. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may want to first consider those colleges that are within the Watertown CT area.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price depending on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be accessible to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Watertown CT. Naturally if you decide to attend an online program, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near Watertown CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the protocol is for making up missed classes due to sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in Watertown
Choose the Right Watertown Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies degree program is a crucial first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on campus or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Watertown home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you decide to receive your education and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your final selection. And with the right training you can achieve your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in Watertown Connecticut.
Watertown Paralegal Certificate | Watertown Paralegal Degrees