Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies)

Paralegals (often referred to as legal assistants) are persons knowledgeable in certain areas of law who perform delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. They work side by side with attorneys performing such vital functions as assisting with trial preparation, conducting legal and factual research, meeting with clients and witnesses, drafting legal documents and legal correspondence, and 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.

Broward College offers its Legal Assisting AS degree on the North Campus in Coconut Creek and the South Campus in Pembroke Pines.

American Bar Association Approval

Broward College’s Legal Assisting AS degree program is approved by the American Bar Association.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Broward College Legal Assisting Program is to enable students of diverse backgrounds to become ethical and competent paralegals by teaching them substantive legal concepts as well as the practical, analytical, technological, and communication skills needed to be employable in the legal community.

Program Goals

Students completing the program will be able to:

• Understand the ethical obligations of legal professionals
• Demonstrate practical paralegal skills required in the workplace
• Prove an ability to think critically
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
• Utilize law office technology effectively
• Prove a grasp of substantive legal knowledge in a variety of subject areas

Program Highlights

• Leads to an Associate of Science degree (as opposed to only a Certificate)
• Paralegal internships are available, providing on-the-job training
• Job placement services help graduates land desirable positions in the legal field
• Training in computer-assisted legal research
• Training with legal software programs
• Evening courses, convenient for working students
• Scholarship money to finance your education is available for those who qualify
• Graduates automatically qualify to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant / Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam

Broward College's Legal Assisting 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.