Paralegal Studies School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Windham Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Windham CT and start your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to guarantee your success, it’s essential that you find the right school so that you will receive the extensive training that you need. A growing number of academic choices are becoming available in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, due to the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When checking out paralegal studies programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Things like accreditation and the reputation of the school ought to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the paralegal schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's have a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals vs Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants essentially both fill the same job positions and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a separate job category. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Windham CT lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, including legal research, maintaining client files, drafting legal documents and communicating with clients. Their specific job duties are based upon the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could help with the logistics of a trial or transferring files to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is usually billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like lawyers, they must carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and comply with a strict code of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be diverse in support of the firms where they are employed, but some of their regular activities might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on relevant cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers get ready for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal documents, files and other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. However, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to administrative or clerical functions more applicable to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal ground work and preparation, attorneys have the ability to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could otherwise.
Paralegal Education and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals perhaps having more professional sounding job titles. As a result, for either position the academic prerequisites and opportunities will be the same. The fastest means to start your career as a legal assistant in Windham CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take just 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which offer a more extensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option also. Once you have earned either a degree or a certificate, you may want to continue and obtain a certification. Although 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 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 school (we will discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken 2 essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant Online Classes
Online legal assistant or paralegal programs have become more common and may be an excellent alternative for individuals living in Windham CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online schools can be especially attractive to those who keep working while obtaining a certificate or degree. As an additional benefit, online programs can in some cases be less costly than more traditional options. Even supplementary expenses for such items as commuting or study materials can be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will discuss 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 certain that the program and school you are reviewing are accredited by a respected organization, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your degree or certificate online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Degree Programs
Now that you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what educational options are offered, you can start the process of evaluating schools. But considering that there are numerous programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Windham CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you need to know what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is especially true if you include all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs also. If you are like the majority of prospective students, you will start by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already discussed, there are other critical factors to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are investigating so that you can properly vet each one and make your final selection.
Is the Paralegal Program and School Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you choose need to be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show potential employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Windham CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited program. Finally, financial aid and student loans are usually available only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the School? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of special importance if you are new to the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your education exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is a good first step. Checking school rating services can help confirm school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Windham 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 ranked, its paralegal program could still have an excellent reputation.
Does the School Sponsor Internships? Internship programs provide students a chance to experience working in a law office or other legal enterprise while remaining in school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin developing contacts within the Windham CT legal field. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from state to state, it might be advantageous to select a paralegal school located in Connecticut or the state where you plan to practice after graduation. Also, it will be important to develop relationships in the neighboring legal community, possibly through an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the community where you wish 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 might need to initially look at those schools that are within the Windham CT area.
How Much is the Complete Expense? Paralegal schools can vary in price depending on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. However, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your training. Remember to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance might be accessible to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Windham CT. Needless to say that if you opt to attend an online program, a portion these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? A number of legal students continue working while receiving their training and require flexibility to schedule classes. If you can solely attend weekend or evening classes near Windham CT, make sure 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. Finally, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes because of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Windham
Choose the Best Windham Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the ideal paralegal training program is an important first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the option of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the privacy and comfort of your Windham residence. Paralegal academic programs are provided in numerous formats and lengths. Various kinds of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your selection of a paralegal school will have a profound influence on your prospects for success in your new career. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, choose carefully. Afford yourself the best possible chance to be successful 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 provided you will be able to assess each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Windham Connecticut.