Paralegals are important members of legal teams.
They assist lawyers by performing a variety of legal tasks.
The Florida Supreme Court provides a definition of a paralegal and the requirements for a person to qualify as a Florida Registered Paralegal.
A paralegal is someone who has relevant education, training, or work experience to work under the supervision and direction of an attorney who is a member of the Florida Bar.
A Florida Registered Paralegal, defined in Chapter 20-3.1, must meet at least one of five educational and paralegal work experience requirements. Students who complete a paralegal program must also pass a certification exam.
The best paralegal schools in Jacksonville, Florida offer paralegal programs that prepare students to meet their goal of becoming a Florida paralegal.
1 University of North Florida
The University of North Florida Division of Continuing Education offers an online Certified Paralegal Program.
Students enjoy the open enrollment policy and the fact that all materials are included in the cost of the paralegal program.
The school allows students 12 months to complete the program at their own pace.
The program prepares students to sit for the Certified Paralegal Exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Graduates receive an exam voucher after they complete the school’s paralegal program.
Courses Offered
Students learn about the U.S. legal system, the responsibilities of paralegals, and how to perform legal research.
They also learn about the stages of litigation, how to conduct legal interviews, and the ethics for paralegals.
Program courses include The Paralegal in the Legal System, Introduction to Legal Analysis, Legal Interviewing, and Introduction to Law Office Management.
Some other courses include Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law, Criminal Law, and Laws Affecting Business.
Students also complete a capstone project.
Contact Information
- Address: 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL., 32224
- Phone: 904-620-4200
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Get the education that many employers require for their paralegals by completing the Associate in Science in Legal Studies (Paralegal Studies) program at Florida State College in Jacksonville.
The program was first approved by the American Bar Association in 1997.
It is still the only program that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) in North Florida.
The 64-credit program is taught at the Kent campus location.
Program courses are taught in a hybrid format, which means that some courses are taught in the classroom and others are available online.
Program graduates meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam.
Courses Offered
The curriculum of the program is designed for students who want to earn an associate degree and enter the workforce as an entry-level paralegal.
The courses focus on legal theory, the practical application of law, and substantive areas of law.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Legal Studies, Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, and Tort Law.
Students also complete Real Estate Law, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Family Law, and Technology in the Law Office.
Students have the option of completing an internship or the course Simulated Law Office Experience: The Legal Studies Capstone.
Contact Information
- Address: 3939 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL., 32205
- Phone: 904-381-3506
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers an Advanced Technical Certificate in Paralegal Studies for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
The bachelor’s degree may be in any field.
The program is designed for students who want to advance their legal studies or for those students who want to change careers.
The Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) program has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since it first started in 2015.
The 22-credit hour program requires that students complete some courses in the traditional classroom setting, although some courses are offered in an online format.
Graduates of the program meet the educational requirement to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam that is administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Courses Offered
Courses required for the completion of the program include Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Litigation, and Technology in the Law Office.
Students choose their elective course from options such as Criminal Law and Procedure for Legal Studies, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Contract Law.
The students who do not complete an internship may complete the Legal Studies Capstone project, or the course Certified Paralegal Exam Review.
Contact Information
- Address: 3939 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL., 32205
- Phone: 904-381-3506
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Jacksonville University
Complete the Certified Paralegal (CP) program at Jacksonville University in as little as 12 months.
The school offers a self-paced program through its Upskill Institute.
The 225 course hour program has an open-enrollment policy.
Students receive membership in the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), and access to the Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Review courses.
The school includes all instructional materials that students need with the cost of the program.
Courses Offered
The courses offered in the Certified Paralegal program provide students with an understanding of the U.S. legal system, the knowledge to perform legal research, and the skills to conduct legal interviews.
Students also learn legal research skills.
Some courses in the program include Introduction to the Legal System, Legal Interviewing, Litigation Case Management, and Regulations of Paralegals.
Students are required to complete a capstone project.
Contact Information
- Address: 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL., 32211
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Keiser University
Keiser University offers students who enroll in the Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies program the option of completing courses online or in a traditional in-person format.
Students who enroll in the program at its Jacksonville location complete one class at a time, every four weeks, before they move on to the next course.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The courses offered in the program focus on the fundamental skills that paralegals need to succeed in their chosen career.
Students complete courses in legal research, drafting legal documents, and gathering evidence.
They also learn case management skills.
Program courses prepare students to work in a variety of settings as paralegals, including private law offices, law firms, government agencies, or in corporate law departments.
Contact Information
- Address: 6430 Southpoint Parkway, Jacksonville, FL., 32216
- Phone: 866-288-1781
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | University of North Florida |
|
#2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville |
|
#3 | Florida State College at Jacksonville |
|
#4 | Jacksonville University |
|
#5 | Keiser University |
Paralegal Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks the state of Florida as having the second-highest employment levels of paralegals in the U.S.
The agency expects that there will be around 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants over the next few years.
The average salary for paralegals who work in Florida is $64,576, as of February 2024.
Salary.com indicates that paralegals who work in Jacksonville, Florida earn an average salary of $64,630, also as of February 2024.
Salaries earned by paralegals in Jacksonville, Florida depend on several factors.
Paralegals who hold a degree in paralegal studies, or who are certified paralegals will likely earn a higher salary than someone who does not have a degree or a certification.
Experience also plays a role in the salary of paralegals.
A paralegal who works in an entry-level position is likely to earn a lower salary, compared to a paralegal who works in Jacksonville, FL, and who has several years of experience.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38K |
|
$64K |
|
$64K |
Average Salary in Jacksonville, FL
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $64,630 |
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