Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Watertown Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Watertown CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. However, it's important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you require to be successful. As you most likely know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic options are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Some prospective students start by searching for schools within driving distance of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just 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 in this article we will cover a list of concerns that you must ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's have a look at the instructional alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The quickest way to start your career as a paralegal in Watertown CT is by earning a certificate, which can involve just six months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to proceed and get a certification. Even though it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. A few 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will discuss the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more popular and may be a good option for students living in Watertown CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing to individuals who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are considering are accredited by a reputable agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs offered at junior and community colleges in the Watertown CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical issues to research also, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal School and Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you enroll in need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Watertown CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no prior experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the program you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call some Watertown CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they recommend. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also present a means for students to start creating contacts within the Watertown CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing provide internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be beneficial to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is all the more justification to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to first consider those schools that are within the Watertown CT region.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Don't forget to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be available to help minimize some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to find out what is available in Watertown CT. Of course if you opt to attend an online school, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near Watertown CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you select offers that option. Last, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Watertown
Enroll in the Right Watertown Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is a vital 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 comfort and privacy of your Watertown residence. Paralegal training programs are provided in many lengths and formats. Different types of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But irrespective of how you choose to acquire your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will be able to examine each school and make your final selection. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Watertown Connecticut.
Watertown Paralegal Programs | Watertown Paralegal Certificate Programs