The body of knowledge required to effectively perform legal support services can only come from a formal education in paralegal studies. As attorneys, corporations and government agencies work within an increasingly complex legal framework, the level of responsibility they expect paralegals to be able to take on has also increased. Law offices and other employers in Florida have come to rely on paralegals with the kind of expertise that can only come from earning a certificate or degree in paralegal studies.
Want to escape the grind of that dead-end job and get the respect and money you deserve? Just graduating high school and dreaming of strolling into the lobby of a Miami law firm every morning to start your day? Maybe you realized that dream years ago and now you’re looking to climb the ladder and specialize so you can prove you’re in it for the long haul.
If you’re interested in a career in law, there’s no shortage of opportunities in Florida… and no shortage of schools offering paralegal programs either. Finding options isn’t the issue, narrowing them down to find the right fit is more the challenge.
We’ve tried to simplify that task a bit by giving you a list of our favorite programs offered at top schools throughout Florida and online. Our selections are based solely on the quality of the programs, so we only include schools that are regionally or nationally accredited.
Atlantic Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Barry University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Administration, Legal Studies Specialization – On-campus and online
Legal Studies Certificate – On-campus (undergraduate, pre-degree)
Legal Studies Post-Baccalaureate Certificate – On-campus
Minor in Legal Studies – On-campus
Broward College
Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
City College (Altamonte Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Miami)
Associate of Science (AS), Legal Assistant/Paralegal – On-campus
College of Central Florida
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Daytona State College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies/Legal Assisting – On-campus
Eastern Florida State College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Florida Gulf Coast University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies – Online
Paralegal Certificate – Online, on-campus
Advanced Paralegal Certificate – Online
Legal Investigation Certificate – Online, on-campus
Legal Secretary Certificate – Online, on-campus
Florida National University-Main Campus
Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies – Online
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies – Online
Legal Assistant Diploma – On-campus
Florida SouthWestern State College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville is a 4-year public college located in Jacksonville.
Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Gulf Coast State College
Gulf Coast State College is a 4-year school located in Panama City. The college has additional campus locations in Port St. Joe and Southport.
Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College is a 2-year community college in Tampa.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Advanced Technical Certificate – Paralegal Studies – On-campus (post-baccalaureate)
Hodges University
Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies – Online
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies – Online
Indian River State College
Indian River State College is a 4-year public college in Fort Pierce, with additional campuses in St. Lucie West, Vero Beach, Stuart, and Okeechobee.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Keiser University
Keiser University is a non-profit university with multiple campus locations throughout Florida. The university’s main campus is located in West Palm Beach.
Associate of Arts (AA) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus or online
Key College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – Online, on-campus
Lively Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Lorenzo Walker Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Manatee Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is a 4-year public college with campuses in Hialeah, Homestead, Miami, and Doral.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Northwest Florida State College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is a 4-year private university with a main campus in Fort Lauderdale. Additional campus locations include Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami-Kendall, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Tampa.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Paralegal Studies Minor – Bachelor Degree – On-campus
Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State College is a 4-year college with campus locations in Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Loxahatchee, and Palm Beach Gardens.
Associate in Science (AS) – Paralegal – On-campus
Paralegal Advanced Technical Certificate – On-campus (post-baccalaureate)
Pasco-Hernando State College
Associate in Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus, online
Pensacola State College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies/Legal Assisting – On-campus, hybrid
Radford M Locklin Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Rasmussen UNIVERSITY-Florida
Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies – Online
Certificate in Paralegal Studies – Online
Santa Fe College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College of Florida is a 4-year school with campuses in Sanford, Oviedo, Heathrow, and Altamonte Springs.
Associate of Science (AS) in Legal Assistant/Paralegal – On-campus
Sheridan Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – Online
South University – West Palm Beach
South University is a 4-year university with campuses in nine different states, including a campus in West Palm Beach.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies – On-campus
Southeastern University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Legal Studies – On-campus
Southern Technical College
Southern Technical College is a 2-year private college with campuses in Auburndale, Bonita Springs, Brandon, Fort Myers, Mount Dora, Orlando, Port Charlotte, Sanford, and Tampa.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Paralegal – Online
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College is a 4-year public college with campus locations in Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo, and St. Petersburg.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
Paralegal Studies Certificate – On-campus (post-baccalaureate)
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies/Legal Assisting – On-campus, hybrid
Advanced Technical Certificate in Paralegal Studies (Undergraduate) – On-campus, hybrid
Suncoast Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
Tallahassee Community College
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal/Legal Studies – Hybrid
Traviss Technical College
Legal Administrative Specialist Certificate – On-campus
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts/Science (BA or BS) in Legal Studies – On-campus, online
Minor in Legal Studies – On-campus
University of Miami
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Legal Studies – On-campus
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Legal Studies – On-campus
University of West Florida
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Legal Studies – On-campus
Valencia College
Valencia College is a 4-year public school located in Orlando, with additional campus locations in Winter Park, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, and Poinciana.
Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies – On-campus
William T McFatter Technical College
Certificate in Legal Administrative Specialist – On-campus, hybrid, online