Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) (A.S.), General Specialization
Previous Degree Required: HS Diploma
Eligible for Financial Aid: Yes
Delivery Method(s): On-Campus
Location(s): Melbourne
Additional Limited Access Application Process Required: Yes
Program Testing Requirements: Assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math
Academic Community: BUSN
Program Code: LGASGEN
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: 22.0302
Florida Department of Education CIP Code: 1722030200
This is a specialization of the A.S. Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) degree.
Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. Florida prohibits the practice of law by non-lawyers.
Program-Specific Admissions Information: This is a limited-access program; student must submit a separate application to the program.
Refer to the Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) (A.S.) overview to find information about this degree, including imbedded College Credit Certificates.
Students should work with an advisor to determine the courses best suited to their plan of study.
Visit the program page for more information.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| ENC 1102 | Composition 2 | 3 |
| POS 2041 | American National Government | 3 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Mathematics Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Natural Science Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| PLA 1003 | Introduction to the Paralegal Field and Legal System | 3 |
| PLA 1104 | Legal Research | 3 |
| PLA 1114 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| PLA 1611 | Property Law | 3 |
| PLA 2203 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLA 2260 | Evidence | 3 |
| PLA 2308 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| PLA 2762 | Law Office Procedures | 3 |
| PLA 2763 | Law Office Management | 3 |
| PLA 2940 | Paralegal Internship | 4 |
| SPC 2608 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| General Specialization | ||
| Select nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Bankruptcy | ||
| Torts | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Contracts and Business Entities | ||
| Wills and Trusts | ||
| Probate, Trust, and Guardianship Administration | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Real Estate Principles | ||
| Support Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Microcomputer Applications | ||
| Intermediate Algebra | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
Note: In accordance with Florida Statute and Florida Administrative Code, students must satisfy the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement.
Notes:
- A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation. Only courses/credits with a grade of "C" or higher may be accepted for transfer (additional requirements may apply).
- Students are required to take a minimum of 10 credit hours of legal specialty courses in traditional format.
- At least 25% of the total credits for the degree must be earned at EFSC of which a minimum of 12 credit hours must be Paralegal Studies major courses.
- Not all courses are offered every semester and are subject to instructor availability. Courses may be cancelled by the college at any time.
- PLA courses have pre-requisites or co-requisites. PLA 2940 Paralegal Internship can only be taken the last full semester prior to graduation from Paralegal Studies Program.
Course Sequence
Below is the recommended sequence for taking courses in this degree. Using this guide and meeting with your assigned advisor each term is the key to successful program completion.
Please note that course prerequisites, including required developmental math, reading, or writing, need to be completed to continue on to the more advanced course. Click on the course number to see the requirements.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| PLA 1003 | Introduction to the Paralegal Field and Legal System | 3 |
| POS 2041 | American National Government | 3 |
| General Specialization Course 1 | 3 | |
| ENC 1102 | Composition 2 | 3 |
| PLA 1104 | Legal Research | 3 |
| PLA 2203 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PLA 2763 | Law Office Management | 3 |
| Natural Science Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Mathematics Core Requirement | 3 | |
| SPC 2608 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| PLA 1114 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| PLA 2260 | Evidence | 3 |
| General Specialization Course 1 | 3 | |
| PLA 1611 | Property Law | 3 |
| PLA 2308 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| PLA 2762 | Law Office Procedures | 3 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| PLA 2940 | Paralegal Internship | 4 |
| General Specialization Course 1 | 3 | |
| Support Course 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
- 1
Select 9 credits from the General Specialization list on the Program of Study page.
- 2
Select 3 credits from the Support Courses list on the Program of Study page.
Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate in how state and federal laws are applied in the judicial branch
- Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively
- Analyze a court opinion, including all the key facts, issues, and rules of the case, and the conclusion of the court
- Core Ability Supported: Process Information
- Prepare a responsive pleading that includes all claims, relevant defenses, and counterclaims.
- Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively
- Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with employer expectations for paralegal
- Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical and Civic Responsibility
- Assess management of the client funds trust accounts
- Core Ability Supported: Process Information
- Analyze Federal Rules of Evidence and Florida Rules of Evidence
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Compose pretrial motion using hypothetical fact pattern
- Core Ability Supported: Process Information
- Ability to complete an eviction from start to finish
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems