Paralegal Studies (4104) (A.T.C.)

Curriculum

Paralegal Studies Courses

• PLA 1003 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 1104 - Legal Research and Writing I Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2114 - Legal Research and Writing II Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2200 - Litigation Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2730 - Computer-Assisted Legal Research Credit Hours: 1
    
• PLA 2732 - Technology in the Law Office Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2949 - Internship Credit Hours: 3  
  or PLA 2944 - Simulated Law Office Experience: The Paralegal Studies Capstone Credit Hours: 3  
  or PLA 2950 - Certified Paralegal Exam Review Credit Hours: 3 
  NOTE: Students must request permission from Program Manager to enroll in PLA 2949  or PLA 2944  

Professional Law-Related Elective Courses

• PLA 1303 - Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 1423 - Contract Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2241 - Alternative Dispute Resolution Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2273 - Tort Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2465 - Debtor/Creditor Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2600 - Wills, Trusts and Estates Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2610 - Real Estate Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2763 - Law Office Procedures Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2800 - Family Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2880 - Constitutional Law Credit Hours: 3
    

Total Credit Hours: 22 / Program Length: 9 Months

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded an advanced technical certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

1. Students must fulfill the specific program requirements as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville Catalog.
2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
3. Completed the required courses as set forth in the curriculum.
4. Students who place into college preparatory courses are required to complete designated college preparatory courses with a grade of “C” or better regardless of program of study.
5. Completed at least one-fourth (25 percent) of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
6. Students must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the College before they may graduate.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.

1. A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
2. Students who enter under the (2015/2016) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2015/2016 academic year.  The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
3. Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or co-requisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
4. Degree-seeking students whose native language is not English and who fall below a designated cutoff score on the English as a second language entry college placement test (CPT-L), will be required to take English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses prior to registering for other college credit classes. Students from cultures whose language of instruction may have been in English, but the native language is other than English, also come under the CPT-L test and course guidelines. The level of these courses will be determined by the entry placement scores. Individual exceptions will be determined by the EAP program manager. Students who place into EAP, as determined by the test, must complete EAP prefix courses before registering for other college credit classes. Non-degree-seeking college credit students who plan to take English, reading or courses where these are critical requisite skills must also meet these requirements. Exceptions to these requirements can be made by the EAP program manager or designee.

Articulation

This certificate articulates directly into the Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) (2299) (A.S.)  degree. Students may pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor or counselor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Gainful Employment

This is a gainful employment program. Visit the Gainful Employment page for gainful employment programs’ placement and on-time completion rates, median loan amounts, SOC codes and estimated program costs.

Gainful employment programs include only training programs of at least one academic year that lead to a certificate and credentialed non-degree programs (credit programs requiring 30 or fewer credit hours and clock hour programs requiring 600 or more contact hours). These programs prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.