Paralegal careers in Connecticut have become quite popular, not only because they pay well, but also because people can train in just two short years.
If people want to begin careers in the paralegal field, they must obtain the proper education from a qualified paralegal school first.
Following is a brief list of the best schools in Connecticut that offer paralegal training.
Lincoln College of New England
Located in Hartford and accredited with the Commission of Institutions of Higher Education, Lincoln College of New England has an exceptional associate of arts degree program in paralegal studies for those students who want to work in the field. Those people, who would like additional information pertaining to the school and the program, can phone them at – 800-825-0087 or write to the following address – 85 Sigourney Street, Hartford, Connecticut, 06105. They may also find essential information online at – http://www.lincolncollegene.edu.
Paralegal students at Lincoln College will need to take the following common studies courses to earn their degrees – English Composition I and II, Mathematics, Computer Applications, Communications, American Politics, and Physical or Life Science.
They will also need to take the following law-specific courses – Introduction to Law, Torts, Introduction to Paralegal, Legal Research and Writing, Business Organizations and the Law, Family Law, Contracts, Real Estate Law, Litigation, Estate and Trust Law, Internship, Legal Applications, and at least two additional Law-Specific electives.
Manchester Community College
Manchester Community College, located in Manchester and accredited by the Board of Governors on Higher Education, offers a remarkable associate of science degree program in paralegal studies. Students, who would like to study within Manchester, can phone the college at – 860-512-3000 or write to them at – Post Office Box 1046, Manchester, Connecticut, 06045. They can also read about the college online at – www.mcc.commnet.edu.
Following is a list of the general education classes that paralegal students will need to take – Fine Arts elective, English Composition, Humanities elective, Mathematics, Natural or Physical Science, Social Science elective, and American Government or State and Local Government.
They will also need to complete the following legal-specific courses – Introduction to Law, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Business Law I or Legal Environment of Business, Legal Research or Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, Financial Accounting, Probate Practice and Estate Administration, Computer Applications in Law, Real Estate Practice, Business Organization, Legal Studies Capstone, and at least additional Law-Related electives.
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Located in Waterbury and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Naugatuck Valley Community College offers a fantastic associate degree program in paralegal studies. Those people, who would like to attend Naugatuck, can learn the application procedures by visiting them online at – http://www.nvcc.commnet.edu. They can also phone the college at – 203-575-8040 or write to them at – the 750 block of Chase Parkway in Waterbury, Connecticut, 06708.
The following courses are the general education requirements of the paralegal program – Introduction to Communication, Composition, Lab Science, Literature and Composition, Mathematics, General Psychology I, Social Science, Fine Arts or Humanities, and American Government or US History I.
The following courses are the career-related requirements of the paralegal program – Introduction to Paralegalism, Introduction to Software Applications, Legal Research and Writing, Real Estate Practice, Business Law I and II, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, Probate Practice and Estate Administration, Legal Assistant Cooperative Work Experience or an approved Business elective, and at least one of the following courses – Criminal Procedure, Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, and Advanced Legal Issues Seminar.
Norwalk Community College
Located in Norwalk and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Norwalk Community College has a terrific associate in science/paralegal degree program, approved by the American Bar Association. Those students, who would like to visit the campus, can call Norwalk at – 203-857-7000 or write to them at the following address – at the 188 block of Richards Avenue in Norwalk, Connecticut, 06854. They can also visit Norwalk’s website at – http://www.ncc.commnet.edu.
For students to earn their associate degrees from Norwalk, they must complete a variety of basic skills and law-specific courses. Following is a list of the basic skills courses that they will need to complete – Composition, Literature and Composition, Advanced Composition or Business Communications, Public Speaking, Mathematics, Political Science, Science elective, and Humanities.
The following courses are the law-specific classes they will need to complete – Business Applications Software, Principles of Financial Accounting, Business Law I and II, Introduction to Paralegalism, Legal Research and Writing, Real Estate Practice, Litigation, Probate Practice and Estate Administration or Family Law, Business Organization, Administrative Law, Internship, and at least one additional Law-Related elective.
Connecticut School of Professional Studies
The Connecticut School of Professional Studies, located in Orange and accredited by the Department of Education and Labor, offers a superb certificate program in paralegal studies, for those students who want to work as paralegals. If people would like additional information pertaining to the school or the paralegal program, they can call the general office at – 877-712-0264 or write to the following address – 109 Boston Post Road, Orange, Connecticut, 06477. They can also find details of the program online at – http://www.paralegaltrainingct.com.
For students to earn their paralegal certificates from the school, they will need to complete the following paralegal-related courses – Introduction to Law and the Paralegal Profession, Civil Litigation, Corporate and Business Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Practical Family Law, Real Estate Law, Wills/Trusts and Estates, and Legal Research and Writing.
More Fabulous Paralegal Schools in Connecticut
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College – Winsted
- Branford Hall Career Institute – Branford, Southington and Windsor
- Sacred Heart University – Fairfield
- Quinnipiac University – Hamden
- University of Hartford – West Hartford
- Post University – Waterbury
- University of New Haven – West Haven
Is There a Benefit to Paralegal Certification?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Most private attorneys and law firms prefer to hire certified paralegals rather than those who do not have certification. Thus, paralegal certifications will definately broaden people’s job possibilities. There are four organizations that offer this distinction, and they are listed below.
- The American Alliance of Paralegals (requires applicants to have no less than five years of paralegal experience)
- The National Association of Legal Assistants (requires a written exam)
- The National Association of Legal Secretaries (requires a written exam)
- The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (requires a written exam)
Useful Study Tips for the Certification Exam
If applicants need to take an exam to obtain their certification, some key study areas that they will want to focus on include legal terminology, civil procedures, criminal law, ethics, family law, branches of government and litigation.
Two of the organizations listed above offer valuable study manuals for the exam : The National Federation of Paralegal Associations and The National Association of Legal Assistants.
Other terrific sources for study materials are public libraries and the world wide web.