Paralegal Studies Course
How to Choose the Best One Near West Hartford Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near West Hartford CT and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding career in legal services. But in order to achieve your success, it’s essential that you locate the best school so that you will get the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic options are becoming available in the field of legal studies, 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 finding the right school with so many alternatives? Some prospective students start by trying to find schools within traveling distance of their homes. Of those options, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although cost and location are necessary considerations when selecting a college, they are not the only factors you ought to take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the program should be taken into account as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's take 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 possibly having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to launch your career as a legal assistant in West Hartford CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to complete. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more expansive education and can be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want to proceed and receive a certification. Although it is not a legal requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification may not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying agencies in the profession 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential first steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more available and can be an excellent alternative for students living in West Hartford CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an added benefit, online schools can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even secondary expenditures for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and conventional environment, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are so many programs available at community and junior colleges in the West Hartford CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like many potential students, you will start by looking for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other important aspects to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate choice.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a highly regarded 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 focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will receive will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. A number of West Hartford CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Research what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the profession with no previous experience, since employers will have to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Confirming that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call some West Hartford CT law offices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask which schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly ranked, its paralegal program may still have an excellent reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also provide a means for students to start creating contacts within the West Hartford CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable 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 Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the area legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the community where you desire to practice. 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 first investigate those schools that are within the West Hartford CT region.
What is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential earned and the amount of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help reduce part of the expense, so be sure to check with the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in West Hartford CT. Of course if you decide to attend an online school, a portion these added costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can solely attend night or weekend classes near West Hartford CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in provides that option. Last, find out what the process is for making up missed classes because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in West Hartford
Enroll in the Best West Hartford Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the best paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying 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 West Hartford home. Paralegal education programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions make available paralegal education, including community and junior colleges, four year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose carefully. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to succeed in this exciting profession. But no matter how you choose to obtain your training and earn your degree or certificate, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final decision. And with the appropriate training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in West Hartford Connecticut.
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