Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Wethersfield Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Wethersfield CT and begin your journey that will lead to a fulfilling profession in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you locate the best school so that you will receive the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably understand, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and more and more academic alternatives are becoming available, both on campus and online. But with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest 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 need to be taken into consideration too. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the instructional choices that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both hold the same job positions and responsibilities, just with different titles. However, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job category. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Wethersfield CT attorneys with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their specific job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might assist with the logistics of a trial or transferring documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is usually billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And the same as lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As mentioned, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the practices where they work, but some of their regular activities might involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching pertinent cases and laws
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Assisting attorneys prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal documents, files and additional records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is offer legal advice and counsel or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But paralegals are not confined to clerical or administrative duties more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the educational prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest way to begin your career as a paralegal in Wethersfield CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may involve as little as six months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be obtained at numerous community colleges in 2 years. For an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. Once you have obtained either a degree or a certificate, you may choose to continue and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification may not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help substantiate 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 benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 important first steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and can be a good option for students living in Wethersfield CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to individuals who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online schools are accredited, which we will cover 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 certain that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal setting, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can begin the process of evaluating schools. But since there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Wethersfield CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is particularly true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously covered, there are other important factors to research 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 considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal program and school 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 can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance training. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will establish with potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Wethersfield 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 obtainable only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you select 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 Wethersfield CT law firms that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask what schools they recommend. Bear in mind that even when a school is not among the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Offer Internships? Internship programs give students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while still in school. They can also present a means for students to begin establishing contacts within the Wethersfield CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are considering 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 most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws vary from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you wish to work after graduating. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to obtain your education in the community where you choose to work. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may need to first look at those colleges that are within the Wethersfield CT area.
What is the Entire Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential earned and the length of training provided. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance might be obtainable to help offset some of the expense, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to find out what is offered in Wethersfield CT. Needless to say that if you decide to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Wethersfield CT, make certain classes are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the program you enroll in offers that option. Last, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Wethersfield
Enroll in the Best Wethersfield Paralegal Studies School
Selecting the right paralegal certificate school 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 attend them online in the comfort and privacy of your Wethersfield home. Paralegal academic programs are made available in various lengths and formats. Several types of private and public institutions offer paralegal education, including community colleges, four year colleges and universities, as well as trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a profound influence on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Since there is a wide range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this exciting profession. But no matter how you decide to obtain 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 right training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Wethersfield Connecticut.
Wethersfield Paralegal Studies | Wethersfield Paralegal Schools