Paralegal Studies School
How to Choose the Best One Near Wilton Connecticut
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Wilton CT, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s crucial that you find the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and increasingly more academic choices are being offered, both at school and online. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program with so many options? Many prospective students start by searching for schools within traveling range of their homes. Of those choices, they look for the program with the most affordable tuition. Although cost and location are important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only factors you need to take into consideration. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job roles and responsibilities, just with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and are part of a different job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Wilton CT lawyers with a wide variety of job duties, such as maintaining client files, legal research, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their particular job duties are based upon the type of practice where they work. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law practice might help with the logistics of a trial or delivering documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is normally billed by the hour as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As noted, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they work, but some of their routine tasks can involve:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Researching applicable laws and cases
- Composing correspondence and legal papers
- Submitting legal documents with opposing counsel or the court
- Assisting lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and preserving legal files, documents and additional records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be complicated and very demanding. However, what they are not legally authorized to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical functions more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants really are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, lawyers have the ability to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the educational requirements and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Wilton CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may require as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in two years. For an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered as well. After you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to work as a paralegal, certification can not only help improve your employment opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. A few 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 program (we will cover the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial initial 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 schools have become more popular and can be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Wilton CT looking for convenient access to classes and flexible scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to students who keep working while earning a degree. As an added advantage, online classes can in some cases be less expensive than more traditional 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 cover in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the training you obtain is of the highest caliber. So check to make sure that the program and school you are looking into are accredited by a reputable agency, for example the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and conventional setting, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational choices are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Wilton CT area, as well as trade and vocational schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true if 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 looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important issues to think about as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over some of the questions you should be asking the schools you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your ultimate decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online training. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Wilton CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited program. Also, financial assistance and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Investigate what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal programs you are contemplating. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have 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 verify school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Wilton CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even though 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 provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start creating contacts within the Wilton CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are evaluating provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Campus Located? Considering that laws differ from one state to another, it might be beneficial to choose a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you want to work after graduation. In addition, it will be important to build relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is all the more reason to receive your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you may wish to initially look at those colleges that are within the Wilton CT area.
What is the Entire Cost? Paralegal schools can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your training. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial aid may be obtainable to help offset part of the expense, so be sure to talk to the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Wilton CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online school, some of these additional costs, such as for commuting, might be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Numerous paralegal students continue working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can only attend night or weekend classes near Wilton CT, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the program you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up classes missed due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More About Becoming a Paralegal in Wilton
Choose the Best Wilton Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal training school is a crucial first step toward 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 participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Wilton residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in numerous formats and lengths. Several kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal education, including junior and community colleges, four-year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your prospects for success in your new profession. Considering that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will be able to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the right education you can accomplish your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Wilton Connecticut.