Bachelor of Applied Science
College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies
Paralegal Studies
LEGAL-BAS
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
The Paralegal Studies BAS program is designed to train students for careers as 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. 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
1102203022 - PARALEGAL STUDIES
Federal CIP Code
22.0302 - Legal Assistant/Paralegal.
Admission Rules
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Guides outline criteria specific to each program including course requirements, GPA and the application process. Students must complete one of the following: An A.S. degree of 60 credits in Paralegal Studies/Legal assisting including at least 15 credits of transferable general education courses OR Sixty (60) credits from a regionally accredited institution, including: o PLA1003 Introduction to Paralegalism o PLA1104 Legal Research and Writing o PLA1763 Law Office Management o PLA2114 Advanced Legal Research o PLA 2201 Civil Law and Procedure o Three (3) credits of any other lower division PLA course required of an A.S. degree student o 15 credits of transferable general education courses For each course the student must have a “C” or better.
Graduation Rules
All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C".
GENERAL EDUCATION: All students must complete the 36 credit general education requirement in order to graduate from this program. A.S. degree holders may need to complete an additional 15-21 general education credits to complete the thirty-six (36) credit hour general education requirement.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.A.S. program.
CIVIC LITERACY: As per Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).
ADMISSIONS COURSES
ADDITIONAL GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES - Grade of “C” or higher
Enhanced World View Course
A. COMMUNICATIONS
B. HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS
C. MATHEMATICS
D. NATURAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES
E. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
F. ETHICS
G. COMPUTER/INFORMATION LITERACY COMPETENCY
MAJOR CORE COURSES
Grade of “C” or higher required for all upper-division courses
MAJOR CORE COURSES
REQUIRED FINAL COURSE - Last Semester for All Students
MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
PLA Elective Courses (Complete a minimum of 12 credits)
PLA 3XXX Any 3000 level PLA prefix course PLA 4XXX Any 4000 level PLA prefix course
ADMISSIONS COURSES
AA Degree or AS Degree
MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
PLA, BUL, PAD, PUP Elective Courses (Complete 12 credits)
BUL 3XXX Any 3000 level BUL prefix course BUL 4XXX Any 4000 level BUL prefix course PAD 3XXX Any 3000 level PAD prefix course PAD 4XXX Any 4000 level PAD prefix course PLA 3XXX Any 3000 level PLA prefix course PLA 4XXX Any 4000 level PLA prefix course PUP 3XXX Any 3000 level PUP prefix course PUP 4XXX Any 4000 level PUP prefix course