The future is looking brighter for aspiring paralegals in the Sunshine State.
America’s Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the administrative support services provided by legal assistants will continue to be in extremely high demand for the next few years.
If you’re thinking about starting a paralegal career in Orlando, this is the guide for you!
Our guide provides information on entry-level paralegal job duties, salaries for Orlando paralegals, and an overview of some of the best paralegal schools in the area.
Read on to learn more about getting a paralegal education in Orlando and learn about which paralegal certifications and credentials local employers prefer.
Best Paralegal Schools in Orlando
If you’re on track to becoming a paralegal in Florida, you can earn certification and FRP status by completing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or juris doctorate degree from an accredited school that follows the certification track laid out by the NFPA, NALA, and the American Bar Association.
- NALA issues the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, which is the highly respected national legal credential preferred by most local employers.
- The NFPA issues the Core Registered Paralegal (CRP) which is another top credential accepted by many local and national legal employers.
- The Florida Bar issues the Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) which is an optional state-based credential that gives local paralegals a more competitive edge.
Now that you understand the role of a paralegal and what to look for in a paralegal training program, let’s examine some of the most popular paralegal programs preparing Orlando students for career success and paralegal certification below.
1 Valencia College
Valencia College prepares Orlando-based paralegals to begin entry-level careers as certified paralegals.
Their two-year degree program trains students on the substantive legal skills needed to support local attorneys as they prepare for trials and depositions and manage legal caseloads.
The American Bar Association approves Valencia’s associate’s degree program, which satisfies the substantive legal education requirements set forth by the NALA and the NFPA.
VC students take classes on campus, online, and through a combination of hybrid instruction that meets state requirements for face-to-face instruction.
Courses Offered
- US Government
- Legal Research and Theory
- Business Law
- Advanced Civil Litigation
- Debtor, Creditor, and Bankruptcy
- Insurance Case Management for Paralegals
Contact Information
- Address: Orlando, Florida - 32802
- Phone: 407-299-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Seminole State College
The ABA-approved paralegal program at Seminole State gives aspiring paralegals another local route to legal education.
Orlando students can enroll at Seminole State to earn an associate of science degree in paralegal studies.
This entry-level legal training program equips students with the fundamental and practical legal skills needed to support lawyers and other court personnel in judicial processes.
SSC’s program emphasizes substantial law concepts and trains students on how to conduct legal research, complete legal documents, manage case files, and practice legal ethics.
Courses Offered
- Fundamental Law
- Research and Writing I and II
- Torts
- Business Law
- Family Law
- Real Property Law
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Weldon Boulevard, Sanford, Florida - 32773
- Phone: 407-708-2348
- Website: Visit School Website
3 College of Central Florida
The College of Central Florida has a certification-based paralegal studies program that offers educational routes that lead to state and national certification.
Students seeking to make a quick entry into the legal field can earn a paralegal studies AAS degree at CCF, which will enable them to pass the Florida Certified Paralegal and Florida Registered Paralegal exams.
This program also trains students on the substantive concepts needed to demonstrate competency as an entry-level paralegal and satisfies pre-certification requirements implemented by NALA.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to the Paralegal Field
- Laws of Family Relations
- Litigation Procedures
- Business Law
- United States History
- American National Government
- Legal Research and Writing
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 Southwest College Road, Ocala, Florida - 34474
- Phone: 352-873-5801
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Central Florida
Working students interested in getting their paralegal education online can study at the University of Central Florida.
UCF operates an online certified paralegal program that teaches the fundamentals of substantial law and critical skills needed to work in support of licensed local attorneys.
Program graduates will be able to conduct legal research, complete legal briefs, e-file time-sensitive documents, and ethically conduct client interviews upon graduation.
The UCF online paralegal program is self-paced.
Students have 12 months to complete their program and apply for national certification with NALA.
Courses Offered
- Paralegal Employment
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Legal Writing
- Introduction to Law Office Administration
- NALA Certification Exam Prep
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
Contact Information
- Address: 12351 Research Parkway, Orlando, Florida - 32826
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of West Florida
The Continuing Education Department at the University of West Florida provides an avenue for online paralegal education.
Orlando area students can enroll in their Certified Paralegal program, which operates entirely online.
This online program follows the certification track laid out by NALA.
It prepares graduates for entry-level employment, national certification, and state certification.
Students can complete the required coursework by logging in to virtual classrooms.
UWF allows up to 12 months to complete this program, and it accepts students on a rolling admissions basis.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to the US Legal System
- Legal Research
- Drafting Legal Documents
- Client Communications
- NALA Certification Prep
- Paralegal Duties
Contact Information
- Address: 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida - 32514
- Phone: 850-473-7468
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of North Florida
The University of North Florida has a locally based paralegal studies program that operates entirely online.
UNF attendees can complete paralegal education, which leads them to either an associate of applied sciences degree or a paralegal certificate that demonstrates their competency in the field and job readiness.
Graduates from the UNF program are ready to move on to the next steps in their paralegal careers by applying for national certification with NALA and local certification as a Florida Registered Paralegal.
Courses Offered
- Paralegal Regulations
- Legal Ethics for Attorneys and Paralegals
- The US Legal System
- Legal Interviewing
- Formal and Informal Administrative Advocacy
- NALA Campus
- Westlaw
Contact Information
- Address: 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida - 32514
- Phone: 850-473-7468
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Valencia College |
|
#2 | Seminole State College |
|
#3 | College of Central Florida |
|
#4 | University of Central Florida |
|
#5 | University of West Florida |
|
#6 | University of North Florida |
Paralegal Salary Information
If you’re wondering how much Orlando paralegals make, you’ll be happy to know that local legal assistants make an average annual salary of just under $65,000.00 each year.
The salary range for Sunshine State paralegals starts at $57,281.00.
Top-earning paralegals working in Orlando can earn as much as $73,051.00 per year.
Paralegals with more years of substantive legal experience and advanced certification credentials, as well as those who take on a specialization, can see their salary potential increase.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$57K |
|
$65K |
|
$73K |
Average Salary in Orlando, FL
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Orlando, FL | $65,000 |
Become a Paralegal in Orlando – In 5 Simple Steps
If you’re reading this guide, you’ve already taken the first step toward beginning your paralegal career, which demonstrates your commitment and readiness to take on the challenge of becoming a legal support professional in Orlando.
The next steps include learning more about paralegal certifications and finding the best programs that meet state requirements for practice.
Follow the steps below to become an Orlando paralegal!
Step #1. – Complete High School
Today’s paralegals are required to be at least 18 years old and have completed high school.
Completing high school demonstrates a commitment to education and readiness to take on the comprehensive education required for local paralegals.
Step #2. – Enroll in a Certified or Approved Paralegal School
Once you’ve completed your high school diploma or GED, you can start applying to local paralegal schools that are accepting new students.
Be mindful of program admission requirements, application dates, and additional program costs that can include supplies, fees, drug testing, and background checks.
Step #3. – Complete Paralegal Education and Get Certified in Orlando
Paralegal certificate and degree holders who recently graduated from their training programs are eligible to become certified through a local or national certification agency.
Qualified Florida paralegals are also eligible to become certified through national agencies, including NALA and the NFPA.
The Florida State Bar offers an optional certification for Florida Registered Paralegals.
What is a Florida Registered Paralegal?
The Florida Bar operates the voluntary Florida Registered Paralegal Program (FRP).
Florida’s registered paralegals can provide a variety of limited legal services for clients under the supervision of a locally licensed attorney.
Prospective FRPs must meet the required combination of education and substantive work experience to become eligible for this state-based credential.
The Bar Association requires new applicants to have a paralegal certificate, degree, or a number of years of substantive work experience to demonstrate their competency in legal terminology, ethics, legal research, ethics, and local, state, and federal law.
Step #4. – Find Paralegal Employment
Certified Florida Paralegals are eligible to work for a variety of legal employers, including law firms, local governments, state governments, municipal governments, educational institutions, corporations, and banks.
The employment landscape for paralegals is continuing to expand as the need for highly skilled legal secretaries continues to increase.
Step #5. – Maintain Your Certified Paralegal Credentials
Paralegals holding national or state certification are required to complete mandatory continuing legal education activities to maintain their credentials.
The number of continuing education credit hours needed to maintain your credential varies by agency.
Contact your credentialing authority to learn which activities and classes count towards CLE.
Paralegal Job Duties – Orlando
Orlando’s paralegals carry out a variety of administrative and support-based legal tasks for local attorneys and judicial representatives based on their certificate and experience levels.
Local paralegals may carry out some or all of the following tasks.
- Drafting Legal Documents for Presentation in Court
- Interviewing Clients and Witnesses
- Fact-checking and Legal Research
- Attending and Conducting Real Estate Closings
- Case File Preparation and Case Management
- Administrative Office Duties
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