Program Details
Average Median Pay*
$56,230 per year
*Salary information provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
The Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies is a 68-credit hour program to prepare students for employment as paralegals (also known as legal assistants) in a variety of settings such as law offices, courthouses and state agencies. Students receive education in many areas of law, legal research and general office skills. This exciting career offers great potential for employment and wages both in our area and elsewhere throughout the state and country.
The sample sequence of courses should be followed closely by students; some adjustments may need to be made due to reduced summer offerings or other circumstances. Many courses are offered only once per year, so please consult your advisor before registering for your courses.
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Certified Legal Assistant Exam sponsored by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) without additional minimum employment history requirements.
Students completing this degree are also eligible to receive the Office Specialist Certificate. All students are urged to make an appointment to see Business Programs advisor once each semester to ensure that adequate progress toward a degree is being made. All students must apply for graduation upon enrollment in their last semester of coursework.
Requirements for Admission
There are no Admissions requirements for this program.
If a student is not at college level, they would take the prep classes before beginning the program courses, but could still be admitted.
Program Costs, Scholarships and Aid
All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.
Program Costs
- Florida Residents:
- $106.77 per credit hour x 68 credit hours = $7,260.36
- Non-Florida Residents:
- $382.90 per credit hour x 68 credit hours = $26,037.20
Does not include books, lab fees, etc.
For more information, please visit Tuition Costs and Due Dates
Scholarships
- Career and Technical Education Scholarships
- There are many other scholarships available for SF students. Please visit the college's Scholarships page for more information and how to apply.
Financial Aid
There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. For more information and how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid page.
Job Prospects and Salary
Typical Job Titles:
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants*
- Court Clerks
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- Legal Secretaries
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary*
- Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Office Clerks, General*
*Bright Outlook occupations match at least one of the following criteria:
- Projected to grow faster than average (employment increase of 7% or more) over the period 2018-2028
- Projected to have 100,000 or more job openings over the period 2018-2028
Salary Range
- Gainesville: $13.90 - $33.96 per hour
- State of Florida: $15.40 - $36.31 per hour
- Source: O*netOnline
- Nation Median: $24.87 per hour
- Nation Median: $51,740.00 per year
Program Goals and Outcomes
After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional standards of the paralegal.
- Demonstrate ability to utilize legal research materials and apply knowledge in legal writing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of family law, rules, and procedures.
- Manage business information using appropriate software.
- Demonstrate knowledge of real property law and its application to real property transactions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of estate planning and probate administration concepts and their application to probate procedures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of the law of business organizations.
- Perform office management activities.
Program Length, Format and Curriculum
Program Length:
- Credit hours - 68
- Time to completion – 2 years (full-time), 3-4 years (part-time)
Need C or higher in all coursework including Internship to graduate
All students are urged to make an appointment to see SF's Business Programs Advisor once each semester to ensure that adequate progress toward a degree is being made. All students must apply for graduation upon enrollment in their last semester of coursework.
Format:
- Online/Hybrid/Face to Face Classes: See Types of Classes.
Curriculum:
- Sample Sequencing for Full-time students
- College Catalog Details
- See link at the bottom of this page for a Sample Degree Audit
Course Sequencing for Full-time Students
Florida CIP: 1722030200
SF Program Code: 3707
2020 - 2021
Total SF Semester Hours: 68
Term 1 Fall (15 credit hours)
- ENC1101 College Composition (3 credit hours)
- CGS1101 Microsoft Office Applications (3 credit hours)
- PLA1003 Introduction to Legal Technology (3 credit hours)
- BUL2241 Business Law (3 credit hours)
- OST2711 Word Processing/Keyboarding I (3 credit hours)
Term 2 Spring (13 credit hours)
- OST2712 Word Processing/Keyboarding II (3 credit hours) Spring Only
- BUL2137 Employment Law (3 credit hours)
- LIS1002 Library Online Resources (1)
- OST2853 Spreadsheet and Database Management (3 credit hours) Spring Only
- Social Science (3 credit hours) Choose one:
- AMp010
- AMp020
- POS2041
- PSY2012
- SYG2000
Term 3 Summer (13 credit hours)
- ENC2210 Technical Communications (3 credit hours)
- PLA2273 Torts (3 credit hours) Summer A Only, Pre-Req: PLA1003
- OST2796 Emerging Business (3 credit hours) Summer A Only
- OST1793 Internet/Web Resources (1) Summer A Only
- Choose one (3 credit hours):
- MAC1105
- MGF1106
- MGF1107
Term 4 Fall (15 credit hours)
- OST2401 Office Administration (3 credit hours) Fall Only
- PLA2201 Litigation Procedures (3 credit hours) Fall Only, Pre-Req: PLA1003
- PLA2610 Real Estate Law & Property Transactions (3 credit hours) Fall Only, Pre-Req: PLA1003
- PLA2800 Family Law (3 credit hours) Fall Only, Pre-Req: PLA1003
- PHI2600 Ethics (3 credit hours)
Term 5 Spring (12 credit hours)
- PLA2600 Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration (3 credit hours) Spring Only, Pre-Req: PLA1003
- OST2792 Internet for Office Professionals (3 credit hours)
- PLA1104 Legal Writing and Research (3 credit hours) Spring Only, Pre-Req: PLA1103
- IDS2941 Internship and Career Building (3 credit hours) Spring Only
- Students must meet the the IDS2941 instructor prior to the beginning of the semester for guidance and approval of the internship; check with the Business Programs Advisors for information regarding dates.
Cost of Attendance
Disclosure
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program.
Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)
| Off-Campus* | Off-Campus with Parent** | |
| Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit | In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190 | In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $783 | $783 |
| Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $9,679 | $2,619 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,228 | $4,228 |
| Transportation | $1,976 | $3,062 |
| Total | In-State: $19,229 Out-Of-State: $25,856 | In-State: $13,255 Out-Of-State: $19,882 |
Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)
| Off-Campus* | Off-Campus with Parent** | |
| Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit | In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292 | In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $783 | $783 |
| Living Expenses (Food & Housing) | $9,679 | $2,619 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,228 | $4,228 |
| Transportation | $1,976 | $3,062 |
| Total | In-State: $19,698 Out-Of-State: $26,958 | In-State: $13,724 Out-Of-State: $20,984 |
*Off-Campus: you intend to live off campus, but not with your parent(s).
**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s).
Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.
For more detailed information visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.
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