Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near West Haven Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near West Haven CT and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. However, it's important that you locate the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to succeed. A growing number of educational options are being offered in the legal field, both at school and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective students begin by searching for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those alternatives, they search 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. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the instructional options that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants for the most part both fill the same job roles and functions, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist West Haven CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice could help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be varied in support of the practices where they work, but some of their daily activities can involve:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- 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 files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complex and very demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not restricted to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys are able to take on a much larger number of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals arguably 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 begin your career as a legal assistant in West Haven CT is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to accomplish. Most entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more comprehensive education and may be earned at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. After you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may want to proceed and earn a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your job opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional as well. 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Classes
Online paralegal or legal assistant schools have become more common and may be a good alternative for students living in West Haven CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to students who keep working while earning a certificate or degree. As an additional advantage, online schools can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials can be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all online schools are accredited, which we will discuss in greater detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a reputable agency, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less supervised and conventional environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Programs
Once you have a better idea regarding what paralegals do and what academic choices are available, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the West Haven CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate 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 covered, there are other important factors to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are researching so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you select need to be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will obtain will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Numerous West Haven CT law firms will only employ entry level paralegals that are graduates of an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often offered only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you choose is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also call a few West Haven CT law offices that you may be interested in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even if a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program could still have an exceptional reputation.
Does the Program Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while still in school. They can also provide an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the West Haven CT legal field. Find out 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 Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good 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 vary from state to state, it might be advantageous to enroll in a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you desire 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 might wish to first investigate those colleges that are within the West Haven CT area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential received and the length of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Don't forget to add the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be accessible to help offset part of the expense, so make sure to check with the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in West Haven CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Fit your Schedule? Many legal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend weekend or evening classes near West Haven CT, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the program you select makes available that option. Last, inquire what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in West Haven
Enroll in the Best West Haven Paralegal Studies School
Enrolling in the best paralegal studies certificate program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your West Haven home. Paralegal academic programs are offered in various lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a pronounced influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your training and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to review each school and make your ultimate selection. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in West Haven Connecticut.
West Haven Paralegal Schools | West Haven Paralegal Training