Paralegal Studies School
How to Select the Right One Near Wolcott Connecticut
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in paralegal studies near Wolcott CT and begin your journey that will result in a fulfilling career in legal services. But in order to secure your success, it’s essential that you find the right program so that you will get the extensive training that you need. More and more educational choices are being offered in the legal field, both on campus and online, due to the growing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. However with numerous options to choose from, where does one start? Many prospective 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 cost and location are prime considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you ought to take into consideration. Things such as the reputation and accreditation of the program should be taken into account too. Later on in this post we will review a list of concerns that you need to ask prospective paralegal schools so that you can evaluate and compare each one before making your selection. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the educational alternatives that are available to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill the same job positions and functions, 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 classification. Both legal assistants and paralegals assist Wolcott CT lawyers with a wide variety of job functions, such as maintaining client files, legal research, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of practice where they are employed. As an example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm could assist with the logistics of a trial or transporting documents to court. In private practices, the work of a paralegal is typically billed hourly as are the attorney's. And just like attorneys, they must perform with a high degree of professionalism and comply with a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be wide ranging in support of the firms where they work, but a few of their routine activities might include:
- Investigating and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on applicable laws and cases
- Drafting correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal papers with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping lawyers prepare for trial and keep organized with their cases
- Organizing and maintaining legal files, documents and other records
With all of their responsibilities, the role of a paralegal can be involved and very challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally permitted to do is offer legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal proceeding. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more apropos to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals truly are the main support systems for lawyers. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, attorneys have the ability to manage a much larger number of clients or cases than they could alone.
Paralegal Programs and Certification
As we discussed earlier, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a paralegal in Wolcott CT is by obtaining a certificate, which may require just 6 months to complete. Most entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more extensive education and may be acquired at numerous community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are an option as well. After you have obtained either a certificate or degree, you might want to continue and receive a certification. Even though it is not a legal 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 respected 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 benefits of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken two important initial steps that will help ensure your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online schools have become more prevalent and can be an excellent option for those living in Wolcott CT searching for convenient access to classes as well as accommodating scheduling. Online schools can be particularly appealing to those who continue to work while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can often be less expensive than on campus options. Even supplementary expenses for such things as study materials or commuting can be minimized or eliminated. One caveat, not all internet schools are accredited, which we will address in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the training you obtain is of the highest quality. So check to make certain that the program and school you are thinking about are accredited by a respected agency, for instance the American Bar Association. But if you are dedicated enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Since you now you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what training options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of assessing schools. But considering that there are so many programs accessible at junior and community colleges in the Wolcott CT area, as well as vocational and trade schools, you must find out what questions to ask so that you can evaluate each one. This is especially true when you add all of the online paralegal degree and certificate programs also. If you are like many prospective students, you will begin by searching for schools within driving distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have previously discussed, there are other significant issues to think about also, including accreditation and the reputation of the schools. So let's go over a few of the questions you need to be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal Training Accredited? The paralegal school and program that you pick need to be accredited by a reputable accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. Accreditation will not only certify that the education you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will show future employers that you are a qualified professional also. Numerous Wolcott CT law firms will only employ entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Also, financial assistance and student loans are often accessible only for accredited schools.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Learn what the rankings and reputations are for the paralegal schools you are looking at. This is of specific importance if you are entering the profession with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your education exclusively. Verifying that the program you pick is accredited is an excellent first step. Checking school rating reports can help determine school quality of education and rankings as well. You can also contact several Wolcott CT law practices that you may have an interest in working for after graduating 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 Offer Internships? Internship programs offer students an opportunity to experience working in a law firm or other legal enterprise while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to start establishing contacts within the Wolcott CT legal field. Ask if the paralegal schools you are considering offer internship programs, particularly in areas of the law that you have the most interest in pursuing upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the paralegal schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Connecticut legal services employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Campus Located? Since laws vary from state to state, it might be beneficial to enroll in a legal assistant school domiciled in Connecticut or the state where you plan to work after graduation. Also, it will be important to cultivate relationships in the local legal community, possibly by means of an internship program. This is even more justification to acquire your education in the community where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, many require an increased tuition for students that reside outside of their districts. So you might want to initially investigate those schools that are within the Wolcott CT area.
How Much is the Total Cost? Paralegal programs can differ in price depending on the credential earned and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to add the cost of supplies, books and commuting to classes to your budget also. Financial assistance may be available to help reduce some of the cost, so make sure to talk to the school's financial aid office to see what is offered in Wolcott CT. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, some of these additional expenses, for instance for commuting, might be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Match your Schedule? Many paralegal students continue working while getting their training and must have flexibility to schedule classes. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Wolcott CT, make certain classes are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part time basis, confirm that the school you choose offers that option. Last, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More About How to Become a Paralegal in Wolcott
Choose the Best Wolcott Paralegal Studies Program
Choosing the right paralegal certificate program is an essential first step to guarantee your success in the rewarding field of law. As we have addressed in this post, you have the option of attending classes at school or you can attend them online in the privacy and comfort of your Wolcott home. Paralegal education programs are provided in numerous lengths and formats. Various kinds of public and private institutions provide paralegal education, including community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, in addition to vocational and trade schools. Your choice of a paralegal school will have a profound impact on your opportunities for success in your new profession. Given that there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in this exciting profession. But regardless of how you choose to acquire your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have furnished you will be able to review each program and make your ultimate decision. And with the ideal training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Wolcott Connecticut.