Paralegal Studies, AS

Purpose

The Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies program prepares students for further education and careers in law-related fields. The content includes legal research and writing; litigation and trial practice; criminal, tort, family, constitutional, and corporate law; real property, tax, and contract law; wills, estates and trusts; and law office management. The AS equips students with professional responsibility, employability, leadership, and human relations skills.

The mission of the Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies degree program is to prepare students to become paralegal professionals for employment in law, real estate, title companies, and related offices.  The program prepares students to sit for one or more recognized paralegal certification examinations.  The following Florida State Frameworks are included in the objectives of the Paralegal Studies Program: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical & professional standards of the paralegal. 
2. Demonstrate ability to utilize legal research materials & apply knowledge in legal writing. 
3. Demonstrate basic knowledge of tort law, constitutional law, & criminal law concepts, & their application to factual situations. 
4. Demonstrate knowledge of all phases of trial practice & procedure. 
5. Demonstrate knowledge of real property law & its application to real property transactions. 
6. Demonstrate knowledge of estate planning & probate administration & their application to probate procedures. 
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of the law of business organizations. 
8. Demonstrate knowledge of principles of contract law including the Uniform Commercial Code. 
9. Demonstrate knowledge of & ability to perform techniques & procedures utilized as part of case preparation & development. 
10. Demonstrate knowledge of law office management procedures. 
11. Demonstrate knowledge of family law, rules, & procedures. 
12. Demonstrate employability skills.

 

www.americanbar.org/aba.html

Course Prerequisites

Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions.  Students must complete all prerequisites prior to registering for a course.

ABA Requirements

FSW Paralegal Studies students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

Course Transfer Policy - Only a total of nine legal specialty credits from another institution will be accepted.  The other institution must have an American Bar Association (ABA) - approved paralegal program.  The description of the course in the course syllabus must closely mirror an equivalent legal specialty course offered by FSW.  The Paralegal Studies Program Director evaluates requests for the transfer of legal specialty credits from other institutions.  The Program Director will not consider any legal specialty courses taken at another institution more than five years ago.

Graduation Requirements

Students must fulfill all requirements of their program to be eligible for graduation.