For working adults, new high-school graduates, and anyone else who wants to become a paralegal in Florida, there are quality Florida paralegal programs available throughout the state. ABA approved paralegal programs in Florida are offered by local colleges, professional schools, and even universities. ABA approved paralegal programs in Florida generally require degree candidates to complete a practicum where students apply the theoretical material; they have studied in the classroom to real-world circumstances.
The reality is that all states recognize a paralegal degree from an American Bar Association program. The value of ABA-approved paralegal programs in Florida is clear. Students vying for a paralegal career should choose a paralegal program that has received approval from the American Bar Association.
How We Ranked the Best Paralegal Programs in Florida
The editors at Online Paralegal Programs began with ABA-approved paralegal programs in Florida, so prospective students can be certain of the quality of their education. From there, we ranked programs according to practical values: Cost, Graduation Rate, and Job Placement.
1. Broward College
Broward College offers an AS in Paralegal Studies (aka Legal Assisting). Degree candidates from one of the best paralegal programs in Florida are prepared to work with attorneys to assist with trial prep, legal research, and legal paperwork. The paralegal studies associate degree has received approval from the American Bar Association (ABA). Coursework includes Criminal & Civil Litigation, Probate, Legal Research, Immigration, Legal Writing, and practicum experience, among others. Students graduate prepared for employment in the fields of banking, insurance, legal counsel, and governmental agencies.
Broward College was established in 1959 as a junior college bestowing only associate-level degrees. Broward college’s campus began in outer buildings on the Ft Lauderdale’s airport grounds but is now home to more than 66,000 students. Broward College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute among the top ten percent of community colleges nationwide.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
2. Eastern Florida State College
Eastern Florida State College (EFCU)offers one of the best paralegal programs in Florida. Eastern Florida State College’s AS in Paralegal Studies requires the completion of 64 credit units, along with a semester-long internship to graduate. Coursework from EFCU’s associate degree in paralegal studies includes Bankruptcy, Family Law, Criminal Law, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Contracts, Probate, Real Estate Law, to name a few. The paralegal course provided by Eastern Florida State College has received approval from the American Bar Association (ABA). Graduates of the paralegal program are eligible to apply for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) certification.
Eastern Florida State College was established in 1960 as a community college. Eastern Florida State College serves more than 34,000 in Palm Bay, Cocoa, Titusville, Melbourne, including distance learners. Eastern Florida State College is a Florida College System member school. Cocoa High School held the first classes for Eastern Florida State College.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
3. Florida Southwestern State College
Florida Southwestern State College offers an AS in Paralegal Studies that is recognized among the best paralegal programs in Florida. Florida Southwestern State College’s paralegal program prepares degree candidates to undertake legal research, legal writing, and litigation when working alongside a licensed attorney. Degree candidates have the option of pursuing baccalaureate degrees from FSW in the areas of law, business, or property management, among others. FSW’s paralegal program has been approved by the ABA – the American Bar Association.
Florida Southwestern State College was established in 1962 to serve the Lee County Florida area. The school operates campuses in Charlotte & Collier County, plus outreach services in the more rural counties of Glades and Hendry. Together, these educational facilities offered by Florida Southwestern State College serve more than 16,000. The school was originally named for Albert Edison, a frequent snowbird to southwestern Florida.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
4. Florida State College At Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers an AS in Paralegal Studies, which is often called Legal Assisting. As one of the best paralegal programs in Florida, FSCJ offers a year-round enrollment and is available at any of FSCJ’s Jacksonville campuses. The paralegal degree program requires the completion of 64 credit units. Degree graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP) certificate. The ABA – the American Bar Association, has awarded its approval for FSCJ’s 2-year paralegal degree program, the only approved ABA program in northern Florida. Students are prepared with the schools necessary for success.
Florida State College at Jacksonville was established in 1966 as a junior college. FSCJ’s urban Jacksonville campuses (Downtown, Kent, South & North) are home to more than 50,000 students. FSCJ is a member school of the Florida College System, which permits the school to award certain baccalaureate degrees.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
5. Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus
Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus offers an AS in Paralegal Studies that is approved by the ABA, the American Bar Association – the only approved program located in Miami-Dade County. The Wolfson Campus 2+-year paralegal degree program requires the completion of 64 credit units to graduate. Program graduates of one of the best paralegal programs in Florida find rewarding career opportunities in the government, law firms, insurance industry, or banking. Miami Dade College permits credits earned for this program can be applied to partner four-year universities that are nearby.
Miami Dade College was established in 1959, while the Wolfson Campus didn’t open until 1970. The Wolfson Campus classes were first held in storefronts around Miami’s downtown area. Currently, more than 25,000 students are enrolled at MDC’s Wolfson Campus. The Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus is one of the eight campuses of the Miami Dade College and is located at the intersection of Miami’s financial and government districts.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
6. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University offers one of the best baccalaureate-level paralegal programs in Florida that has also been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Nova’s Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies requires a senior portfolio to be presented when the degree candidate has completed the general education, core, and elective requirements. Program graduates are prepared with basic knowledge of the basis of law (contracts, wills, torts, legal procedures), the ability to perform efficient legal research, and the proven legal writing skill with regard to briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents.
Nova Southeastern University was established as a private institution of higher education in 1964. Nova serves its more than 20,000 students by the provision of more than 145 study programs from its 18 schools/colleges. Nova operates several campuses in Davie (main campus), North Miami Beach, Tampa Bay, and Dania Beach locations. Nova Southeastern University’s campus is built upon what was once a WWII landing field used by the US Navy.
Program: BS in Paralegal Studies
7. Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College of Florida offers one of the best paralegal programs in Florida. Degree candidates in the Associate in Science or Associate in Arts Legal Studies degree program are prepared to assist licensed attorneys during trials, depositions, as well as research and draft legal documents and relevant exhibits. Seminole State College of Florida provides its paralegal degree candidates with both the theoretical principles and the application of legal theories against real-world situations – in small classes being taught by seasoned faculty members who hold a Juris Doctorate degree.
Seminole State College of Florida was established in 1965. The school’s suburban campuses in Altamonte Springs, Oviedo and online, are home to more than 32,000 students. Seminole State College of Florida holds the distinction of being the 8th largest (out of 27) member school of the System of Florida Colleges and a prevalent employer in Seminole County.
Program: AS or AA in Legal Studies
8. South University
South University offers an AS in Paralegal Studies that is considered one of the best paralegal programs in Florida. Coursework for South University’s paralegal program includes legal writing/research, estate planning, ethics, criminal law, family law, and torts, plus a senior capstone/internship. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level opportunities.
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and the Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies programs at South University are approved by the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7598 312.988.5522 800.285.2221.
South University was established in 1899 and headquartered in Savannah, GA. The school operates campuses throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and South Carolina. South University serves students through six colleges/schools in Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy, Theology, Business, Public Health/Nursing, and Health Professions. South University initially began as Draughan’s Business College.
Program: ASin Paralegal Studies
9. St Petersburg College
St Petersburg College offers three of the best paralegal programs in Florida. SPC’s paralegal programs include the following available paralegal studies degrees – an Associate of Arts (which is a transfer plan) degree, an Associate of Science degree, or a Bachelor of Arts degree. Each of St Petersburg College’s paralegal study programs has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). St Petersburg College’s baccalaureate-level paralegal degree is the only public bachelor’s degree program approved by the ABA in the state of Florida.
St Petersburg College is a public institution of higher education that was established in 1927. The downtown St. Petersburg campus is a Florida College System member school and home to more than 49,000 students. Additionally, SPC boasts that the campus has eight libraries plus an extensive online library presence. St Petersburg College holds the distinction of being the first junior college to be chartered in the Sunshine State of Florida.
Program: AA or AS or BAS in Paralegal Studies
10. Valencia College
Valencia College offers one of the best paralegal programs in Florida that has also been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Valencia College’s paralegal program requires the completion of 64 credit units, and it can be completed as a full-time or a part-time student. Coursework includes Real Property Law, Legal Practices/Ethics, Legal Research & Technology, Financial Accounting, and Interpersonal Communication, to name a few. Valencia’s paralegal program offers two concentrations – the Transactional Specialization and the Litigation Specialist.
Valencia College was established in 1967. The college now operates seven campuses in Orlando and nearby Kissimmee and Winter Park, FL. Valencia College has partnered with the University of Central Florida (UCF), which allows for an exceptional number of transfers to the four- year programs offered by UCF. Valencia College is named to honor the incredible yearly crop of Valencia oranges.
Program: AS in Paralegal Studies
Why are ABA-Approved Paralegal Programs Important?
The American Bar Association (ABA) is the premier legal oversight agency tasked with the responsibility of ensuring paralegal (and legal) degree programs meet the standards set forth by industry professionals and the justice system. The American Bar Association has approved more than 250 paralegal degree programs in the United States.
A degree earned from an American Bar Association-approved program provides degree candidates with the certainty that their degree will meet the minimum legal education criteria as prescribed by the American Bar Association. In other words, ABA-approved Florida paralegal schools open job possibilities from most legal areas and disciplines.
Are there Online Paralegal Programs in Florida?
There are many quality online paralegal programs in Florida. With the popularity of distance learning, most of the online paralegal programs in Florida are now offered as either an online program, an on-campus program, or through a hybrid (part online, part on-campus) delivery course format.
Online learning has opened up access to educational opportunities for many Florida residents who once only had a few options if any. Working learners and rural residents of the Sunshine State can now earn a paralegal degree as an Associate of Arts (AA), an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and even a Bachelor of Science (BS) through convenient online learning platforms, that allow for flexible scheduling options.
The American Bar Association (ABA) approved online paralegal programs in Florida provide the same ABA certification as those paralegal degrees earned in a more traditional on-campus format. Additionally, a paralegal working in Florida must meet the definition of a paralegal as denoted by the Florida Bar Association (FBA), although there are no other state-specific rules legislated by Florida officials.
Are there a lot of Paralegals Jobs in Florida?
Government agencies, businesses, and law firms continue to rely upon the professional services offered by a paralegal professional.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were more than 325,000 paralegals (and legal assistants) working in the United States in 2018. The job outlook for the paralegal (and legal assistant) profession, according to the government’s statistics, is quite positive as this job field is anticipated to grow at a rate of 12% through the year 2028 – a pace that is viewed as much faster than the average of all occupations nationwide combined.
The BLS notes that there are more than 30,000 paralegal jobs in Florida, second in paralegal employment to only the state of California. The statisticians at BLS also disclose that the number of current paralegal jobs in Florida translates to more than 3.5 jobs for every 1000 available jobs. Florida is also the state with the second-highest concentration of paralegal/legal assistant jobs.
In 2018, the southeastern tri-city area of West Palm Beach/Miami/Ft. Lauderdale accounted for more than 13,000 paralegal jobs, indicating there are available entry-level paralegal jobs in Florida. Paralegals and legal assistants find higher-paying salaries as they gain professional experience and strong research-technology skills.
What is the Paralegal Salary in Florida?
A paralegal professional may apply their paralegal talents to a variety of industries like legal services, schools, hospitals, local/state/federal government, private/management companies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median wage for paralegals/legal assistants in the United States is $50,940, which translates to $24.49 hourly.
However, paralegal salaries differ based upon the state or metropolitan area the paralegal job is located. For instance, the paralegal salary in Florida for paralegals is $50,120 (or $24.10). As such –
- The average salary of a paralegal in Florida is just below the nation’s paralegal average salary.
- A paralegal’s salary in South Florida (in the metropolitan area of Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami) exceeds the national average at $53,540, or $25.74 per hour.
- A paralegal’s salary in South Florida working within the area’s non-metropolitan area is $40,490, or $19.47 per hour.
Paralegal professionals have a variety of opportunities to increase their earnings through experience, additional education, and the obtainment of industry certifications. In addition to the many national certifications, the following certificates are for Florida-related paralegal credentials. They include –
- The Florida Certified Paralegals Certificate (FCP) from the Paralegal Association of Florida (PAF)
- The Florida Registered Paralegals Certificate (FRP) was issued by the Florida State Bar Association.
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