Paralegal Schools in Florida
The colleges and universities in Florida offer a wide array of options for pursuing a certificate or degree to support a career as a paralegal or legal assistant. Many paralegal schools in Florida also offer opportunities to complete certificates or earn an associate’s degree online. Look into our guide for paralegal careers in Florida to find more information about opportunities with a degree or certificate in legal studies.
Quick Facts
- There are 38 colleges and universities that offer paralegal/legal assistant degree programs in Florida.1
- 17 schools offer a certificate program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 22 schools offer an associate’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 5 schools offer a bachelor’s degree program for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school offers a master’s degree for paralegals/legal assistants.1
- 1 school ranked in Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs.2
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools in 2022.3
- 2 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs in 2022.4
- 10 ABA-approved paralegal degree programs are in Florida.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with paralegal/legal assistant degree programs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Paralegal Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs in Florida
- Select Schools in Florida with Paralegal Degrees
Comparison of Paralegal Programs
The table below will help you compare not-for-profit paralegal and legal studies programs in Florida based on various factors. The table includes paralegal program-specific information such as the programs offered and whether there are any online options. It also includes general school information to help you compare the colleges and universities that host these programs, including overall acceptance rate, graduation rate for first-time bachelor’s degree seekers, median debt for graduates, and net tuition per year for full-time undergraduate study. We have also included information on approval by the American Bar Association (ABA). While ABA approval is not required in order to work as a paralegal, it is a mark of program quality that is preferred by many employers.
| School | ABA Approved? | Paralegal Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate6 | Grad Rate1 | Online Options? | Median Debt7 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 61% | Yes | N.Av. | $11,760 |
| Broward College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 31% | — | $3,500 | $12,451 |
| City College-Altamonte Springs | — | AS-Legal Assisting/Paralegal | 100% | 15% | — | $14,500 | $17,435 |
| College of Central Florida | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 35% | Yes | $6,413 | $6,102 |
| Daytona State College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 42% | — | $5,250 | $7,732 |
| Eastern Florida State College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 45% | — | $6,000 | $3,512 |
| Florida Southwestern State College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 32% | — | $4,500 | $7,033 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 37% | — | $7,000 | $3,017 |
| Gulf Coast State College | — | Certificate-Paralegal | 100% | 41% | Yes | $5,250 | $3,496 |
| Hillsborough Community College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 33% | Yes | $6,005 | $2,836 |
| Hodges University | — | AS-Paralegal Studies; BS-Legal Studies; Juris Master | 61% | 26% | Yes | $13,875 | $21,577 |
| Indian River State College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies/Legal Assisting | 100% | 41% | — | $4,500 | $984 |
| Lively Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 48% | — | N.Av. | $11,392 |
| Lorenzo Walker Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 81% | — | N.Av. | $4,804 |
| Manatee Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 89% | — | N.Av. | $4,271 |
| Miami Dade College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 33% | — | $6,500 | $4,947 |
| Northwest Florida State College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 35% | — | $3,500 | $6,995 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Concentration-Paralegal; Minor-Paralegal Studies | 80% | 58% | Yes | $18,750 | $24,776 |
| Osceola Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administration Specialist | 100% | 66% | — | N.Av. | $16,625 |
| Palm Beach State College | Yes | AS-Paralegal | 100% | 37% | — | $3,791 | $2,833 |
| Pasco-Hernando State College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 34% | — | $5,500 | $5,072 |
| Pensacola State College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 28% | — | $3,500 | $3,518 |
| Radford M Locklin Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 63% | — | N.Av. | $8,830 |
| Santa Fe College | — | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 59% | Yes | $6,500 | $11,764 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 41% | — | $6,259 | $8,022 |
| Sheridan Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 64% | Yes | N.Av. | $11,792 |
| Southeastern University | — | BS-Legal Studies: Paralegal | 48% | 45% | — | $11,000 | $25,025 |
| St. Petersburg College | Yes | Certificate-Paralegal Studies; AS-Paralegal Studies; BA-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 33% | — | $9,500 | $3,315 |
| State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | — | AS-Paralegal/Legal Assisting | 100% | 37% | — | $5,250 | $11,078 |
| Suncoast Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administration Specialist | 100% | 38% | — | N.Av. | $10,407 |
| Tallahassee Community College | — | AS-Paralegal/Legal Studies | 100% | 35% | Yes | $5,500 | $3,686 |
| Traviss Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Specialist | 100% | 73% | — | N.Av. | $7,226 |
| University of Central Florida | — | Certificate-Paralegal | 44% | 72% | Yes | $14,500 | $11,617 |
| University of Miami | — | Certificate-Paralegal | 27% | 83% | Yes | $17,500 | $33,102 |
| University of West Florida | — | Certificate-Paralegal; BA-Legal Studies; Minor-Legal Studies | 31% | 46% | Yes | $12,500 | $7,515 |
| Valencia College | Yes | AS-Paralegal Studies | 100% | 42% | — | $5,500 | $4,484 |
| William T McFatter Technical College | — | Certificate-Legal Administrative Assistant | 100% | 62% | — | N.Av. | $12,150 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Top-Ranked Schools with Paralegal Programs
Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs
- University of Central Florida (#1)
US News & World Report’s Best Law Schools 2022
- Nova Southeastern University (#147-193)
- University of Miami (#72)
US News & World Report’s Best Legal Writing Programs 2022
- Nova Southeastern University (#16)
- University of Miami (#80)
Select Schools in Florida with Paralegal Degrees
Traditional Programs
Florida SouthWestern State College
The ABA-approved Associate of Science (AS) degree in Paralegal Studies at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Meyers equips students with basic knowledge of an array of legal subjects including legal research and writing, criminal law, real estate law, family law, wills, trusts, torts, and litigation. The AS can also be applied towards a bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, and other related studies at local colleges and universities both within the state and nation. Graduates of this program are qualified to sit for the NALA Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal examination and are prepared for careers as paralegals, title examiners or abstractors, managers of law office operations, and more within the field of law. The flexible course schedule consists of 64 credits and requires the completion of an internship in a law office, state attorney office, or similar, prior to graduation.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) offers an ABA-approved Associate of Science (AS) degree in Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) that is designed to develop students for careers as paralegals and legal assistants as well as specialists in a variety of law-related professions. Critical thinking, problem-solving, group research, and law-related technology are the cornerstones of this program’s diverse curriculum. Following completion of the professional core courses, students are given the opportunity to apply their academic experience to a professional setting through an internship program in which they work a minimum of 180 hours in a law-related office. Graduates from this program meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College houses the only ABA-approved paralegal program in Miami–the Associate of Science (AS) degree in Paralegal Studies. The Paralegal Studies program emphasizes written and oral communication skills, basic legal knowledge, effective problem solving, business ethics, and analysis of legal documents such as wills, contracts, and incorporations. The program requires 64 credits, which takes most students two full-time years of study to complete. Graduates are competitive candidates for legal and paralegal careers in law offices, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. The Paralegal Studies program is offered at the Wolfson, Kendall, and North campuses.
Internships/clerkships at law firms, legal aid societies, and governmental agencies are a great way to get a foot in the door. Many have started as legal assistants/administrative assistants which allows for commencing on the ground floor and working up the legal ladder.” –Patricia DeRamus, ACP, FRP, President of the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc.
Hybrid and Online Programs
Nova Southeastern University
At Nova Southeastern University (NSU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Law with a concentration in Paralegal. Many courses are available online, with some courses offered on campus during the day and evening. Students gain a broad view of the legal system and the skills needed to become a legal assistant or paralegal. The curriculum includes general liberal arts education requirements as well as specialized paralegal studies courses. Courses include Criminal Law and Procedure; Torts and Civil Litigation; Family Law; and Legal Research and Writing. Students learn how to support lawyers and their firms through research methods, trial assistance, and legal document preparation. NSU also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies that can be completed fully online for those who already have a bachelor’s degree.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies. Most components of the legal studies programs can be completed entirely online, although certain electives or prerequisites may not be offered online. The curriculum focuses on foundational concepts that prepare students to write for the legal system and conduct legal research. Legal Studies students are prepared for further education in the field such as law school or other graduate programs. UCF has partnerships with law schools to provide a three-year/three-year accelerated law degree timeline. UCF Legal Studies students may choose one or two specialization areas, including Public Law, Litigation, Criminal Law, Transactional Law, and more. The BA/BS degree is also available on campus for students who prefer traditional learning.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Paralegal411’s Top Online Paralegal Programs: https://www.paralegal411.org/degrees/bachelors/online/
3. US News & World Report Best Law Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Legal Writing Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/legal-writing-rankings
5. American Bar Association Approved Paralegal Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/
6. Niche: https://www.niche.com/
7. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Ranking ROI of 4,500 US Colleges and Universities: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/CollegeROI/