Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) (2299) (A.S.)

Curriculum

General Education Coursework

Credit Hours: 18

• Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
  Refer to General Education Requirements .
• Social and Behavioral Sciences Credit Hours: 3
  Refer to General Education Requirements .
• Humanities Credit Hours: 3
  Refer to General Education Requirements .
• ENC 1101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
   
  or
  ENC 1101C - English Composition I Enhanced Credit Hours: 4
    
• ENC 1102 - Writing About Texts Credit Hours: 3
    
• SPC 2017 - Introduction to Speech Communications Credit Hours: 3
    
  or
  SPC 2065 - Speech Communication for Business and the Professions Credit Hours: 3
    
  or
  SPC 2608 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
    

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 6

A minimum grade of C or better is required in all Professional coursework.

• BUL 2131 - Business Law I - The Legal Environment of Business Credit Hours: 3
    
• CGS 1100 - Microcomputer Applications for Business and Economics Credit Hours: 3
   
  Note: Transfer students may use
  CGS 1060C
    or an acceptable CGS prefix elective. 

Paralegal Studies Coursework

Credit Hours: 31
A minimum grade of C or better is required in all Paralegal Studies coursework.

• 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: 4
    
• PLA 2200 - Litigation Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2273 - Tort Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2600 - Wills, Trusts and Estates Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2610 - Real Estate Law Credit Hours: 3
     
• PLA 2732 - Technology in the Law Office Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2800 - Family Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2949 - Internship Credit Hours: 3
     
  or
  PLA 2944 - Simulated Law Office Experience: The Paralegal Studies Capstone Credit Hours: 3
    
  Note: Students must request permission from Program Manager to enroll in
  PLA 2949
    or
  PLA 2944
   . 

Professional Elective Coursework

Minimum Credit Hours: 3

• Any course with the following prefix: ACG, ASL, CCJ, CJL, FRE, GER, MAN, MAR, OST or SPN
• ACG 2021 - Financial Accounting Credit Hours: 3
    
• ASL 1140 - American Sign Language I Credit Hours: 4
    
• BSC 1005 - Life in Its Biological Environment Credit Hours: 3
    
• BSC 2010C - Principles of Biology I Credit Hours: 4
    
• BSC 2020C - Human Biology Credit Hours: 4
    
• BSC 2050 - Biology of Environmental Systems Credit Hours: 3
    
• BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4
    
• CCJ 1020 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credit Hours: 3
    
• ENC 2210 - Technical Report Writing Credit Hours: 3
    
• FRE 1120 - French I Credit Hours: 4
    
• GER 1120 - German I Credit Hours: 4
    
• HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology (for Health Professions) Credit Hours: 3
    
• MAN 2021 - Principles of Management Credit Hours: 3
    
• MAN 2043 - Quality Management Credit Hours: 3
    
• MAN 2125 - Supervision and Performance Improvement Credit Hours: 3
    
• MAN 2582 - Introduction to Project Management Credit Hours: 3
    
• MAR 2011 - Principles of Marketing Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1100 - Keyboarding/Introduction to Word Processing Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1108 - Keyboard Skill/Speed Building Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1336 - Fundamentals of Business Communications Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1355 - Introduction to Information and Records Management Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1384 - Introduction to Customer Service Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 1581 - Professional Development in the Work Environment Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 2335 - Applied Business Communications Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 2501 - Office Systems Management Credit Hours: 3
    
• OST 2771 - Word Processing I Credit Hours: 3
     
• SPN 1120 - Spanish I Credit Hours: 4
    

Professional Law-Related Elective Coursework

Minimum Credit Hours: 6

• Any course with a PLA prefix 
• PLA 1303 - Criminal Law and Procedure for Paralegals Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 1423 - Contract Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 1933 - Selected Topics in Paralegal Studies Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2241 - Alternative Dispute Resolution Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2465 - Debtor/Creditor Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2763 - Law Office Procedures Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2880 - Constitutional Law Credit Hours: 3
    
• PLA 2944 - Simulated Law Office Experience: The Paralegal Studies Capstone Credit Hours: 3
     
  Note: Students must request permission from Program Manager to enroll in
  PLA 2944
   . 
• PLA 2950 - Certified Paralegal Exam Review Credit Hours: 3
     

Total Credit Hours: 64

Record of Conviction of a Crime

Most governmental agencies, including the Public Defender’s Office and State Attorney’s Office, as well as some law firms, require students to undergo drug screening and criminal background checks prior to internships or employment.  Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to opportunities at these locations.  Students should be aware that some of the professional paralegal organizations may deny membership due to certain criminal convictions.  Membership in such organizations is strictly voluntary.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded the Associate in Science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

1. Fulfill all academic requirements for the chosen program of study as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville catalog and curriculum.
2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College at Jacksonville in courses eligible toward the Associate in Science degree programs, excluding developmental education courses (A.S. Florida State College at Jacksonville GPA).
3. Earned an all-college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted. This includes Florida State College at Jacksonville college-credit semester hours and transferred credits (excluding developmental education) in lower division courses (All college cumulative).
4. Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Credit by examination and credit for prior learning do not count toward this residency requirement.
5. Complete the required semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
6. Earned a grade of a C or better in each course used to satisfy the general education requirements and any other area designated with a C or better requirement.
7. Fulfill all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the College before graduating.

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

• 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.)
• Students who enter under the (2020/2021) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2020/2021 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.
• Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
• Students who place into developmental education courses are required to complete designated developmental education courses with a grade of C or better regardless of program of study.

Articulation

This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, visit the Transfer Services Web page at fscj.edu/transferservices and look for your A.S. program of study.

Baccalaureate Transfer

This Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree programs are intended primarily for students who desire to complete an Associate in Science degree or an Associate in Applied Science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue baccalaureate transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details, refer to the Baccalaureate Transfer Guide at fscj.edu/transferguide.