Associate in Science
College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies
Paralegal Studies
LEGAL-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640).
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Leadership Information
Dr. Susan Demers
Dean
(727) 791-2501
Program Summary
(Transferable to Paralegal Studies BAS degree at SPC) The goal of this program is to train students for entry-level employment as legal assistants (paralegals) in law firms, governmental entities and corporate legal departments. Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys to provide non-clerical professional support in the delivery of legal services to clients and the community. Paralegals are not licensed to practice law. Graduates are prepared to assist in interview and investigation, legal research, discovery and litigation support and design and development of new procedures. Courses emphasize the following practice areas: Civil Litigation; Criminal Litigation; Family Law; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Business Organizations; and Real Estate Transactions. Legal Specialty courses are offered only at night and not every course is offered every semester. Program is directed from the Clearwater campus with a majority of the classes held at the Clearwater Campus. The SPC Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association. Students entering the program are encouraged to attend a special orientation held each session for new and interested students. Computer skills are essential for employability and should be acquired early in the program. Many courses in this program are now offered in an online format in addition to traditional face-to-face classroom instruction. Please note that The American Bar Association (ABA) requires students to take a minimum of nine (9) credits of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction in order to successfully complete the program. (Synchronous means that we share the time together via Zoom though we are not in the same physical space.) Most of our online classes have this Zoom component which you may see referred to as Live Online. Synchronous instruction then may include traditional in-person class time or mandatory remote attendance at specified class times via Zoom. These virtual classes require the same attention as a face-to-face classes along with a reliable internet connection.
Florida CIP Code
1722030200 - Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting)
Federal CIP Code
22.0302 - Legal Assistant/Paralegal.
Job Related Opportunities
Sample of reported job titles: Paralegal, Law Clerk, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Real Estate Paralegal, Summer Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Paralegal Specialist, Certified Paralegal, Immigration Paralegal
Graduation Rules
Minimum grade of "C" required in all support and major courses.
SUPPORT COURSES
Financial Accounting (Complete 3 credits)
MAJOR CORE COURSES
Complete 40 credits
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Communications - Composition- Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Composition I coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. This requirement must be completed within the first 24 credits of coursework toward the AS degree.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Communications - Literature
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Composition II/Literature coursework . Minimum grade of "C" required. This requirement must be completed within the first 36 credits of coursework toward the AS degree.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Humanities and Fine Arts-Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Humanities and Fine Arts coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics-Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Mathematics coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Natural Sciences - Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Science coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Social and Behavioral Sciences- Core
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required. Completing POS 2041 or POS 2041H or AMH 2020 or AMH 2020H will satisfy the <b><u>course</b></u> component of the Civic Literacy Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Ethics
Complete 3 credits from the approved General Education Ethics coursework. Minimum grade of "C" required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Computer/Information Literacy Competency
Competency may be demonstrated by completing the Computer Information and Literacy Exam (CGS 1070T) OR by successful completion of one of the approved Computer/Information Literacy Competency courses. No minimum credits required.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Enhanced World View
Complete at least one 3-credit course intended to enhance the student's world view in light of an increasingly globalized economy. Minimum grade of "C" required. In some cases, this course may also be used to satisfy another General Education Requirement.
AS GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Civic Literacy
Competency may be demonstrated by completing at least one course from the approved General Education Civic Literacy coursework below (minimum grade of "C" required) <b>AND</b> satisfactory completion of an assessment (exam). This requirement is in compliance with Rule 6A-10.02413 of the Florida Administrative Code.