If you are interested in a law career but don’t want to spend years in law school, you should consider becoming a paralegal.
Paralegals work alongside attorneys.
Their duties can include interviewing witnesses and clients, preparing legal documents, legal research, and organizing case files.
1 University of Miami
The University of Miami is one of the top research universities in the country.
They offer small class sizes of 13 students per instructor.
The school offers more than 180 undergraduate programs, as well as masters and doctorate degree programs.
You’ll enjoy a sprawling campus, beautiful weather, and a renowned educational institution.
There’s an exciting culture of growth and learning that you’ll love.
Program/Courses Offered
The University of Miami offers a paralegal certificate program.
This is a non-credit course that will prepare you for a career as a paralegal.
You have two options for taking the course.
You can take it in a synchronous format, which meets online two evenings a week.
You can also choose the self-study course, which includes the same content in a self-paced format.
The program is broken up into different courses.
These courses include Foundations 1, Foundations 2, Law Block 1, Law Block 2, Law Block 3, and Law Block 4.
The program can be completed in 16 weeks.
Contact Information
- Address: Coral Gables, FL 33124
- Phone: 305-284-2211
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College was founded in 1960.
Today, it offers one of the most diverse educational experiences in the nation.
There are 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body.
The school has eight campuses, as well as outreach centers.
In total, the college offers more than 300 degree pathways ranging from career certificates to bachelor’s degrees.
Program/Courses Offered
Miami Dade College offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal studies.
The program requires 62 credits to graduate, including 18 general education credits and 46 credits in paralegal studies.
Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll be prepared to begin a career as a paralegal.
You’ll learn about the theoretical foundation of law as well as practical application and hands-on experience.
The program also includes an internship or co-op.
If you are already employed in the legal field, you can choose the co-op option.
If you aren’t employed in the field, you’ll need to take the internship, which requires you to work 20 hours a week at a law office.
Contact Information
- Address: 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132
- Phone: (305) 237-8888
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Broward College
Broward College was created in 1959 by the Florida State Legislature.
It currently has the second-largest enrollment within the Florida College System.
The college serves 56,000 students and employs 4,000 staff and faculty.
The college offers 8 career-related pathways, which include certificates, associates, and bachelor’s degrees.
78% of graduates find work in their chosen field after graduation.
Program/Courses Offered
Broward College offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
The program focuses on teaching you the skills you’ll need to work as a paralegal after graduation.
You can choose from on-campus day or evening classes, or online classes.
The program is accredited by the American Bar Association.
You can complete your degree faster with credit by exam, which allows you to prove your knowledge.
A prior learning assessment and certifications can also speed your path to your degree.
To graduate, you’ll need a total of 64 credits, including general education courses and paralegal courses.
Courses include Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Business Law, Law Research, and Criminal Litigation.
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 Davie Rd., Davie, FL 33314
- Phone: (954) 201-7350
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is the largest private research university in Florida.
It offers more than 150 degree programs and is the 65th most diverse college in the country.
Nova offers small classes and a low student-to-faculty ratio, in addition to a beautiful campus.
They are consistently ranked as a top national university.
Program/Courses Offered
Nova offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Studies.
This is a great way to prepare for a career as a paralegal.
The program typically takes 4 years to complete.
Once you’ve graduated, you can choose to continue your education by attending law school.
The program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Nova also offers a paralegal certificate for those who hold a bachelor’s degree.
You can study on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.
The course requires 30 credits to complete and can prepare you for a new career as a paralegal.
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 S. University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33328-2004
- Phone: 800-541-6682
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Atlantic Technical College
Atlantic Technical College is a public high school and college located in Coconut Creek, FL.
The campus features 30 luscious acres.
They offer 35 programs across a variety of high-paying industries.
They focus on preparing students to enter a new career with the skills they need.
Program/Courses Offered
Atlantic Technical College offers a Legal Administrative Assistant program.
This program focuses on office duties, rather than the legal field itself.
It can prepare you for some of the duties of a paralegal.
The program can be completed in 10 months of full-time study.
You can enroll in day or evening classes, or study online.
Courses included in the program include legal terminology, legal office procedures, transcription, and business software.
Contact Information
- Address: 4700 Coconut Creek Pkwy, Coconut Creek, FL 33063
- Phone: (754) 321-5100
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Eastern Florida State College
Eastern Florida State College is a public college located in Florida, with several campuses within the state.
The school was founded in 1960 and was originally Brevard College.
Program/Courses Offered
Eastern Florida State College offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal studies.
The degree requires 64 credit hours and can be completed in 2 years.
The final portion of the program includes a semester-long internship.
You’ll work in a law firm, gaining real-world experience as a paralegal.
The main difference between Eastern Florida and other programs is that you’ll choose a specialization.
You can choose general, litigation, or transactional.
This allows you to focus on the area that most interests you or aligns with your career goals.
Admissions to the program are limited.
The application process includes a public safety application, an in-person interview, and an essay.
Contact Information
- Address: 1519 Clearlake Rd, Cocoa, FL 32922
- Phone: (321) 632-1111
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Florida Southwestern State College
Florida Southwestern College was originally Edison Junior College, which was founded in 1962.
The school offers 25 associate degrees, 6 bachelor’s degrees, and 29 certificate programs.
Florida Southwestern focuses on healthcare, business, technology, and education programs.
More than 3,500 dual enrollment students attend each year.
Program/Courses Offered
Florida Southwestern State College offers an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies.
After graduating, students can take the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal exam (CLA/CP).
The program will teach you legal research and writing, real estate law, criminal law, family law, wills and trusts, torts, and litigation.
You’ll need to complete an internship as part of the program, which provides you with real-world experience as a paralegal.
Contact Information
- Address: 8099 College Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33919
- Phone: 239-489-9300
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a variety of programs, including Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor’s, and Science degrees, as well as certificate and workforce education programs.
The goal of the school is to provide a high-quality and affordable education that meets the demands of today’s workforce.
Program/Courses Offered
Florida State College of Jacksonville offers an Advanced Technical Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
The program is offered in person and requires 22 credit hours.
This program is for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree.
Florida State also offers an Associate of Science in Legal Studies.
This degree requires 64 credit hours.
You’ll study subjects including tort law, family law, real estate law, criminal law, and probate and estate planning.
You’ll also gain practical skills, including conducting legal research, preparing legal documents, and investigation.
This is the only American Bar Association program that is approved in North Florida.
Contact Information
- Address: 101 W State St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Phone: (904) 633-8100
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Daytona State College
Daytona State College offers more than 100 certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs.
The school has a total of 7 locations across the state and enrolls 23,00 students each year.
It’s been ranked one of the top Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation for 12 years by U.S. News and World Report.
Tuition is about half of the cost of a state university, and students can choose from 50 clubs and organizations.
Program/Courses Offered
Daytona State College offers an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies.
You’ll learn how to do research, write legal documents, interview clients and witnesses, and investigation techniques.
Once you’ve completed the program, you can take the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal Examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Phone: (386) 506-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
The average salary for a paralegal in Florida is $64,576.
Salaries typically range from $57,286 and $73,058.
The average salary in Miami is $61,664 per year.
How much you will earn depends on your education, experience, certification, and where you choose to work.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$57K |
|
$64K |
|
$73K |
Average Salary in Miami, FL
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Miami | $61,664 |
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