Paralegal Studies Program
How to Find the Best One Near West Hartford Connecticut
Now that you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near West Hartford CT, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the ideal school so that you will get the extensive training that you need to achieve success. A growing number of academic alternatives are becoming available in the legal field, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one begin? A number of potential students start by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search for the program with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you should take into consideration. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school should be taken into account as well. Later in this post we will cover a list of questions that you should ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare every one before making your decision. But before we do, let's have a look at the educational choices that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Training and Certification
Paralegals are basically 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 fastest means to start your career as a paralegal in West Hartford CT is by earning a certificate, which can take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more expansive education and can be obtained at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. When you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might want 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 boost your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Training
Paralegal and legal assistant online schools have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in West Hartford CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a degree. As an added advantage, online programs can sometimes be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Now that you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what training choices are offered, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the West Hartford CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you need to know 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 also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant factors to think about also, such as accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Program Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a reputable 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 online or distance learning. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous West Hartford CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often offered only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous experience, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating services can help verify school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also call several West Hartford CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they suggest. Bear in mind that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Sponsor Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the West Hartford CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are considering offer internship programs, especially in areas of the law that you are most interested in entering after graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School's Location? Since laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a legal assistant school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to create relationships in the local legal community, perhaps by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to initially consider those schools that are within the West Hartford CT area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in cost depending on the credential received and the length of training provided. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial aid may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in West Hartford CT. Of course if you opt to attend an online program, some of these additional costs, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Accommodate your Schedule? A number of paralegal students continue working while receiving their training and must have flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near West Hartford CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in makes available that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making-up missed classes as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About How to Become a Legal Assistant in West Hartford
Choose the Best West Hartford Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the best paralegal studies training program is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the choice of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your West Hartford residence. Paralegal education programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year universities and colleges, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, choose wisely. Afford yourself the best possible chance to succeed in this rewarding profession. But irrespective of how you choose to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will have the ability to examine each school and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can achieve your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in West Hartford Connecticut.
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