Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting)

Train in a Fast-Growing Legal Field

Our legal system is constantly evolving. Judges, lawyers and countless supporting staff members all contribute to the shaping of our laws and governance in a way that directly impacts every citizen. The Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) Associate of Science Degree is a program designed for students seeking a career in a law-related field as a paraprofessional. The program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to work under the supervision of an attorney and perform many vital functions as a paralegal.

Paralegals (often referred to as legal assistants) work side by side with attorneys and may be responsible for:

Assisting with trial preparation
Conducting legal and factual research
Meeting with clients and witnesses
Drafting legal documents and legal correspondence
Monitoring deadlines

Paralegals/legal assistants cannot engage in the actual practice of law by doing such activities as giving legal advice, rendering legal judgment, setting fees, negotiating settlements or representing clients in court. Learn more about our program and when you’re ready, start applying today.

Students on computer.

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Helpful Paralegal Links

Dictionaries

Legal Dictionary

Findlaw’s Legal Dictionary

Merriam-Webster

Dictionary with Multiple References

Florida Legal/Business Sites

Lawyers & Law Firm Directory

Martindale-Hubbell

This is the site of the Martindale-Hubbell legal database. At this site you can research law firms and individual lawyers. This site also has a career center as well as links to articles, press releases, conferences, and webinars.

Paralegal Associations

Classroom Experience

The development of our curriculum is assisted by local industry leaders to ensure your education and training consists of current, real-world applications. Some of the topics and training you will experience as a paralegal student include:

Legal writing
Immigration law
Criminal and civil litigation
Real estate closing procedures
Legal software program training
Traditional and computerized legal research

Broward College conveniently offers Paralegal Studies courses on the North Campus in Coconut Creek and the South Campus in Pembroke Pines. Class sizes are between 25 to 30 students, and offer a diverse setting to practice intercultural communication. Classes are available in the evening, offering maximum flexibility to working professionals. We also offer internships and career services to help you put your degree and training to work.

By the time you complete the program, you will be able to:

Prove an ability to think critically
Utilize law office technology effectively
Understand the ethical obligations of legal professionals
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
Demonstrate practical paralegal skills required in the workplace
Prove a grasp of substantive legal knowledge in a variety of subject areas
Qualify to sit for the Certified Certified Paralegal (CP) exam

View full Paralegal Studies Program.

Career Path

The paralegal/legal assistant profession is one of Broward County’s fastest growing occupations. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation anticipates an average of 151 new positions to open annually in Broward County alone. The projected 2016 employment figures show an impressive 4.5 percent growth in the profession.

Nationally, paralegals/legal assistants can expect an 8 percent increase in employment opportunities from 2014-2024. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth rate for all professions is 7 percent. As of May 2015, the annual mean salary for legal assistants/paralegals in Broward County was $48,540, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages. Starting salaries may be lower and salaries for very experienced paralegals may be higher than this mean average.

See career paths for Paralegal Studies majors.

Graduates of Broward College’s Paralegal Studies AS program will find an abundance of career opportunities upon completion of their degree. Some of the employers who hire legal assistants include:

Adoption agencies
Lending institutions
Insurance companies
Mortgage companies
Non-profit institutions
Corporations with in-house counsel

Find paralegal jobs now.

Is This Program Right for Me?

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a paralegal/legal assistant, you should:

Be an organized individual
Have a keen interest in the law
Display excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Accreditation

Broward College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award associate’s degrees in Paralegal Studies.

The program itself is approved by the American Bar Association.

Faculty

The faculty members who teach Paralegal Studies courses are established local attorneys and judges. They greatly contribute to your success in this program by bringing their knowledge from the courtroom into the classroom. You will be learning directly from influential professionals who know what the demands of today’s paralegals entail.

Courses

The Paralegal Studies Program takes approximately two years to complete if you are enrolled as a full-time student.

Browse Paralegal Studies courses.

Broward College's Paralegal Studies Program honors credits for courses taken at other institutions that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education that participate in the Florida statewide course numbering system and are judged by the appropriate common course designation and numbering system faculty task forces to be academically equivalent to legal specialty courses offered at Broward College. All other legal specialty courses that are completed and transcripted from either an accredited institution or an ABA-approved program will be evaluated by the Program Manager for specific course equivalencies and how accepted credit will be applied toward specific degree requirements.

Program Advisors

Judson A. Samuels South Campus
Nicole Holoboff 954-201-8111
nholobof@broward.edu
Building 70, Room 212
7200 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

North Campus
George Ortega
954-201-2015
gortega@broward.edu
Building 50, Room 116
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd.
Coconut Creek, FL 33066

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