Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near West Hartford Connecticut
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near West Hartford CT, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. But in order to achieve your success, it’s important that you find the best school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. More and more academic options are becoming available in the legal field, both at school and online, because of the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you must take into consideration. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill the same 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 classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist West Hartford CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice may assist with trial logistics or transporting files to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As noted, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they work, but some of their everyday activities can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal papers with opposing counsel or the court
- Helping attorneys get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative functions more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are actually 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 fastest way to start your career as a paralegal in West Hartford CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and may be earned at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your employment opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. A few 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 certificate or degree from an accredited program (we will address the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Paralegal and legal assistant online programs have become more available and can be an excellent option for individuals living in West Hartford 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 degree. As an added advantage, online schools can often be less expensive than more traditional options. Even ancillary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected organization, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Since you now you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the West Hartford CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can effectively vet each one and make your ultimate selection.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you enroll in need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of West Hartford CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no prior work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Confirming that the school you select is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some West Hartford CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even though a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while remaining in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the West Hartford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing after graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you desire to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially investigate those colleges that are within the West Hartford CT region.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in cost based on the credential received and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in West Hartford CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near West Hartford CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in West Hartford
Enroll in the Best West Hartford Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal certificate program is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have discussed in this post, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your West Hartford residence. Paralegal education programs are provided in various formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions provide paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But no matter how you choose to receive your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to evaluate each program and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career objective to become a practicing paralegal in West Hartford Connecticut.
West Hartford Paralegal Certificate | West Hartford Paralegal Degrees