Paralegal Studies
Associate in Science (A.S.)
The Paralegal Studies Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College prepares you to go directly into a specialized career as a paralegal.
The paralegal is one of the lawyer’s most valuable resources, performing substantive legal work delegated and supervised by the lawyer-including assisting with trial preparation and real estate closings, drafting legal documents and performing research. Through the A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies at Valencia College, you will develop a strong background in areas such as civil litigation, real property, business organizations, legal research and legal technology. You will also gain an understanding of the ethical framework within which you work and be able to effectively analyze and communicate in these areas.
Specializations Available:
- Litigation
- Transactional
The A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies at Valencia College is approved by the American
Bar Association.
Paralegals cannot give legal advice, accept a case, set a fee, or present a case in
court, and may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted
by law.
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Program Details
Program Overview and Degree Requirements
Review course descriptions, important dates and deadlines and other programs details in the official college catalog.
Per ABA requirements, students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction includes traditional face-to-face courses as well as RTV (Real Time Virtual) courses. RTV courses provide remote synchronous instruction that includes real time faculty-to-student and student-to-student interaction.
PROGRAM LENGTH
64 credits
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree If safety is your chief concern, prepare for a leadership role in law enforcement,
fire rescue, emergency medical services or public and private protective services
at Valencia College. Gain entry into this program with any A.A. or A.S. degree from
a regionally accredited institution.
Career Outlook
Learn How To
- Assist in trial preparation.
- Draft contracts, court pleadings and related documents.
- Maintain corporate records.
- Perform legal research and informal investigations.
- Prepare real estate documents and assist in real estate closings.
Job Outlook
Employment for Paralegals is projected to grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of legal services by hiring qualified Paralegals to perform essential support services and complete tasks once done by lawyers. Excellent career opportunities are available in law firms, banks, corporations and government agencies.
Potential Careers
- Legal Assistant
- Paralegal
AVERAGE SALARY RANGE
$28,000 - $35,000
Placement Rate
The average placement rate for Valencia College A.S. degree and certificate programs ranges between 90 – 95%, according to the latest FETPIP data.
Career Center
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Need Help?
For general enrollment questions,, assistance is available through our Answer Center or by contacting Enrollment Services.
407-582-1507