Paralegal Studies Degree
How to Select the Best One Near Windsor Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Windsor CT and begin your journey that will result in a gratifying profession in legal services. However, it's important that you find the right school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need to be successful. As you probably know, the legal field is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of academic alternatives are being offered, both on campus and online. However with numerous alternatives to choose from, where does one start? Some potential students begin by looking for schools within driving range of their homes. Of those choices, they try to find the program with the most affordable tuition. Although location and cost are very important considerations when selecting a school, they are not the only qualifiers you should take into consideration. Things like the reputation and accreditation of the program should be considered also. Later on in this article we will review a list of concerns that you should ask potential paralegal schools so that you can examine and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's take a look at exactly what a paralegal does and the academic alternatives that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals Compared to Legal Assistants
Legal assistants and paralegals basically both fill comparable job roles and responsibilities, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the equivalent of either of those two positions and belong to a separate job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants assist Windsor CT lawyers with a wide range of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job duties are relevant to the type of practice where they work. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm might help with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private firms, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the lawyer's. And just like lawyers, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their responsibilities can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their daily tasks can include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on related cases and laws
- Composing correspondence and legal documents
- Filing 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 other records
With all of their duties, the job of a paralegal can be involved and rather demanding. On the other hand, what they are not legally authorized to do is provide legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not limited to administrative or clerical tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Legal assistants truly are the right hand support systems for lawyers. And because they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys are able to handle a much larger volume of clients or cases than they could on their own.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially 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 way to launch your career as a legal assistant in Windsor CT is by earning a certificate, which may take as little as 6 months to accomplish. Many entry level positions do call for an Associate's Degree, which provide a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, 4 year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. When you have earned either a certificate or degree, you may 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 improve your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional also. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations 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 address the advantages of accreditation later) and earning a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help guarantee your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Paralegal and Legal Assistant Programs
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for individuals living in Windsor CT looking for convenient access to classes as well as flexible scheduling. Online programs can be especially appealing 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 ancillary expenses for such items as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will discuss in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps ensure that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are thinking about are accredited by a highly regarded agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less supervised and formal environment, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Things to Ask Paralegal Colleges
Now that you have a better understanding about what paralegals do and what educational choices are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But because there are numerous programs available at community and junior colleges in the Windsor CT area, in addition to trade and vocational schools, you must know 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 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 previously covered, there are other significant factors to think about as well, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at several of the questions you need to be asking the schools you are researching 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 select should be accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online school, it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will obtain will be of the highest quality, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional as well. Many Windsor CT law firms will only hire entry level paralegals that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are typically obtainable only for accredited schools.
What's the Program's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant schools you are looking at. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will have to make a decision based on the quality of your training exclusively. Checking that the school you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Windsor CT law firms 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 could still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs give students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal operation while attending school. They can also provide a pathway for students to begin establishing contacts within the Windsor CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are reviewing provide internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the paralegal schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws differ from one state to another, it might be a good idea to choose a paralegal school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you want to practice after graduating. In addition, it will be important to create relationships in the area legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more reason to receive your education in the area where you wish to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, most charge an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you may need to first consider those colleges that are within the Windsor CT region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal programs can vary in price based on the credential received and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only cost for your training. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the expense, so make sure to contact the school's financial aid department to find out what is offered in Windsor CT. Naturally if you opt to attend an online school, some of these supplementary costs, such as for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Class Times Match your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Windsor CT, verify classes are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm that the school you select makes available that option. Last, find out what the process is for making-up missed classes due to sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About How to Become a Paralegal in Windsor
Choose the Right Windsor Paralegal Studies Program
Selecting the best paralegal studies training school is an important first step toward your success in the gratifying 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 Windsor home. Paralegal training programs are offered in many formats and lengths. Different kinds of public and private institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational and trade schools. Your selection of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a broad range in the quality of programs, pick wisely. Afford yourself the best possible opportunity to be successful in this fascinating profession. But irrespective of how you elect to obtain your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each school and make your final decision. And with the ideal training you can accomplish your career goal to become a practicing paralegal in Windsor Connecticut.