Paralegal Studies Course
How to Find the Best One Near Windsor Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in a paralegal school near Windsor CT and begin your journey that will lead to a rewarding profession in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s crucial that you locate the ideal school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you need. As you most likely know, the legal field is among the fastest growing occupations in the United States, and a growing number of educational choices are becoming available, both on campus and online. But just how do you approach finding the right program with so many options? Some prospective students begin by looking for schools within commuting distance of their homes. Of those choices, they search for the program with the most affordable tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. Later on in this article we will cover a list of questions that you need to ask potential paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one prior to making your selection. But before we do, let's take a look at the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
Paralegals are basically the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly 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 launch your career as a legal assistant in Windsor CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may take as little as six months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and can be acquired at many community colleges in two years. And if you are interested in an even more comprehensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are available also. Once you have acquired either a degree or a certificate, you might choose to continue and earn a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in Connecticut to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help substantiate you as a professional also. 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 discuss the benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two essential initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a legal assistant or a paralegal.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Degrees
Online legal assistant or paralegal schools have become more common and may be a good option for those living in Windsor CT searching for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly attractive to those who continue to work while obtaining a degree. As an additional benefit, online schools can sometimes be less expensive than on campus options. Even secondary expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet programs are accredited, which we will address in more detail later. But at the very least accreditation helps guarantee that the education you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make sure that the school and program you are looking into are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to attend classes in a less supervised and formal setting, then obtaining your certificate or degree online could be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Schools
Once you have a better idea about what paralegals do and what academic options are available, you can start the undertaking of assessing schools. But since there are so many programs available at junior and community colleges in the Windsor CT area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to compare each one. This is particularly true when you include all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs as well. If you are like most prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other important factors to think about also, for instance accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's take a look at some of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are considering so that you can thoroughly vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you select should be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it might also get accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the education you will receive will be of the highest quality, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Windsor CT law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that are graduates of an accredited school. Finally, financial assistance and student loans are often available only for accredited programs.
What's the School's Reputation? Find out what the reputations and rankings are for the legal assistant programs you are contemplating. This is of particular importance if you are entering the field with no prior experience, since employers will need to make a decision based on the caliber of your training exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact some Windsor CT law practices that you may be interested in working for after graduation and ask which schools they suggest. Remember that even when a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the School Provide Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal establishment while remaining in school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin developing contacts within the Windsor CT legal community. Ask if the paralegal schools you are assessing offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you are most interested in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the paralegal schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School's Location? Because laws vary from state to state, it may be advantageous to select a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. In addition, it will be valuable to establish relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to obtain your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you go to classes at a community college, many require a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might need to initially investigate those schools that are within the Windsor CT area.
What is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can vary in cost depending on the credential obtained and the length of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expenditure for your education. Don't forget to include the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be obtainable to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to consult with the school's financial aid office to see what is available in Windsor CT. Needless to say that if you choose to attend an online school, some of these supplementary expenses, for instance for commuting, may be reduced or eliminated.
Do the Classes Accommodate your Schedule? Many legal students keep working while obtaining their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend weekend or evening classes near Windsor CT, make sure classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make certain that the program you enroll in provides that option. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up missed classes as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More About Becoming a Paralegal in Windsor
Choose the Right Windsor Paralegal Studies Program
Enrolling in the best paralegal degree program is an essential first step to guarantee 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 Windsor residence. Paralegal training programs are made available in many formats and lengths. Different types of private and public institutions make available paralegal training, including community and junior colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a pronounced impact on your opportunities for success in your new career. Considering that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick wisely. Give yourself the greatest possible opportunity to be successful in this rewarding profession. But regardless of how you choose to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have presented you will have the ability to assess each school and make your final decision. And with the appropriate education you can achieve your career goal to become a successful paralegal in Windsor Connecticut.