Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by Florida paralegals and legal assistants was $56,650- higher than the national average salary for this profession.
If you want to start a career in the legal field, the paralegal profession is worth exploring.
Before being ready to apply for employment in this field you will need an associate degree or a certificate.
Florida provides plenty of learning opportunities for those who want to start employment in the paralegal profession.
Programs are available both in person and online, to accommodate the needs of busy adults who have to keep a full-time job while preparing for a new career.
To help you choose the program and the format that best meets your needs, on this page, we have compiled information about the best training options available.
1St. Michael's Legal Center for Women and Children
About the School
St. Michael’s Legal Center for Women and Children provides a Paralegal Certificate Program based on the American Association for Paralegal Education guidelines and the National Association of Legal Assistants.
The Certificate program includes 12 courses.
Each class meets for 90 minutes once per week for 14 weeks.
Students can obtain a Paralegal Certificate by just attending school four times a week.
The curriculum covers 12 law-related subjects.
Classes begin in January, May, and September.
Each course is one month long and must be completed before the beginning of the next course in the trimester.
The Paralegal Certificate Program costs $11,900.
The curriculum covers topics such as Introduction to the Legal System, Legal Writing, Legal Research, Family Law, Estates and Trusts, Business Organizations, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1403 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607
- Phone: (813) 402-8081
- Website: https://www.stmichaelsparalegalprogram.com
2Paralegal Institute of the Americas
About the School
Paralegal Institute of the Americas provides paralegal classes in Spanish.
The institute offers a community of Spanish-speaking professionals in the United States who want to gain more knowledge and apply the best labor techniques.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Institute of the Americas provides courses such as:
- Employment in the Legal Area
- Immigration Paralegal
- Forms Clinic
- Road to Law Seminar
- Simple Divorce in Florida
- Labor Certification Seminar
- And more
Course costs vary depending on the class and range from $175 to $1,150.
Contact Information
- Address: 2655 S Le Jeune road Suite 546, Coral Gables, Florida
- Phone: (877) 352 – 0989
- Website: https://paralegalclases.com
3FIU Law
About the School
FIU Law provides a contemporary, high-quality program that provides students with access to the legal profession.
FIU Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.
Among many other skills, students learn:
- How to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law
- Employ legal analysis and reasoning
- Communicate effectively
- Exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities
- And more
Courses Offered
The university provides a Paralegal Online program that can be completed in one year by students who attend classes full-time.
The program includes 615 hours and covers 12 subjects.
Students need a high school diploma or GED.
The Paralegal curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Civil Procedures
- Legal Research and Writing
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional Law
- Real Estate and Trusts and Estates
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 11200 SW 8th Street, Rafael Diaz Balart Hall, Miami, FL 33199
- Phone: 305-348-3354
- Website: https://law.fiu.edu
4South Florida International College
About the School
South Florida International College offers a series of programs designed to train competent professionals in different career paths.
Courses Offered
Among many other paths, the college provides an associate degree program in Paralegal Studies that is available in English and Spanish.
After completing this program, students have the required education and training to become paralegals in a variety of settings.
Students learn how to draft basic legal documents such as complaints, responses, and contracts, interview clients, conduct independent research on legal issues, how to draft legal memorandums and perform a wide range of other tasks in a legal office.
The program is available in two formats: online and hybrid.
To qualify for admission into the program, applicants need:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Official transcripts
- Statement of student’s professional goals
- TOEFL scores for foreign students who are registering for programs taught in English.
Contact Information
- Address: 9000 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172
- Phone: 855 457 7738
- Website: https://sficollege.com
5Suncoast Technical College
About the School
Suncoast Technical College provides more than 30 technical programs.
The available career paths include Business & IT, Criminal Justice, Health & Public Services, Hospitality Services, and Industrial Technologies.
Day and evening classes are available.
Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and labs.
Courses Offered
The Criminal Justice Academy offers the following programs:
- Correctional Officer
- Crossover from Correctional Officer to Law Enforcement Officer
- Florida Law Enforcement Academy
- Advanced Training
- An advanced training program in Crisis Response and Management is also available at Suncoast Technical College
Contact Information
- Address: 4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
- Phone: (941) 924-1365
- Website: https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net
6Florida Atlantic University
About the School
Florida Atlantic University provides a variety of programs at its College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.
Academic programs are available at six campuses: Boca Raton, Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Branch, and Jupiter.
Courses Offered
The School of Criminology & Criminal Justice provides the following undergraduate programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Honors in Criminal Justice Research
- Minor in Criminal Justice
- Undergraduate Program Coordinator
A Paralegal Certificate Program is also available at the university.
This program consists of 375 contact hours of legal education and includes twelve courses.
Students attend classes three nights per week and complete the program in one year.
Introduction to Law is a prerequisite for all courses and is offered twice a year.
The university offers pay-as-you-go tuition payable in full at the time of registration for each class.
Students may take one course at a time, or take three courses at the same time to be considered full-time students.
Contact Information
- Address: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
- Phone: 561.297.3000
- Website: https://www.fau.edu
7San Francisco State University
Paralegal programs are also available at several other locations across the United States, including California, and can be completed online by students at their own pace from the comfort of their homes while keeping a full-time job.
About the School
San Francisco State University provides a Paralegal Studies certificate program since 1975.
The program is now available online and is approved by the American Bar Association.
The course covers a rigorous curriculum, synchronous online courses, a professional network, and other features designed to prepare students for successful careers as paralegals.
Students can begin their careers in just one year.
The program provides learners with hands-on training and experience with case management, e-discovery, trial software, and an insight into common paralegal tasks.
The program costs $8,990 and can be completed in as little as three semesters.
Students take five three-unit courses designed to develop skills on:
- Interviewing clients
- Performing legal research
- Gathering and analyzing legal documents
- Drafting internal memoranda, correspondence, and legal forms
- Drafting a variety of litigation-related documents
- Assisting in the preparation of cases for trial
- And many other tasks
Contact Information
- Address: 160 Spear Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105
- Phone: (415) 405-7700
- Website: https://cpage.sfsu.edu
8University of South Florida
About the School
The University of South Florida provides a variety of undergraduate majors and certificate programs.
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
Courses Offered
The university provides a Paralegal Certificate through its Corporate Training and Professional Education division.
The program is designed for paralegals by paralegals, attorneys, and judges across the country.
The hands-on curriculum focuses on the real-world skills set in demand by law firms, legal divisions, attorneys, corporations, and government agencies.
Students learn about legal processes, court structure, interviewing, investigation, document preparation, file maintenance, correspondence, research, writing, and analysis.
The curriculum also covers torts, contracts, and civil procedure.
Students have individual subscriptions to Lexis and Westlaw to be trained in online legal research.
The following formats are available:
- Self Pace- an online format that allows students to learn at their own pace.
- Live Online | Virtual Classroom- classes are offered via live online sessions.
This program costs $4,995
Contact Information
- Address: 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Phone: 813-974-2011
- Website: https://www.usf.edu
9College of Central Florida
About the School
The College of Central Florida provides students with the opportunity to earn an affordable degree on campus or online.
Classes start six times a year and are available at six locations.
College of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Paralegal Studies Program available at the College of Central Florida is designed to prepare students for employment in law-related areas.
Students graduate with an Associate in Science degree in Paralegal Studies and are qualified to sit for the Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant Exam administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
The program covers a variety of skills including:
- Communicate in a clear and effective manner
- Identify and apply ethical and professional standards of this profession
- How to use the law library and electronic legal research
- Examine real property law
- Identify the fundamental principles of the law of business organizations
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala, FL 34474
- Phone: 352-746-6721
- Website: https://www.cf.edu
10Rasmussen University
About the School
Rasmussen University provides more than 50 programs and multiple start dates a year.
The university provides training programs for more than 120 years.
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Classes are available at 22 locations and online.
Courses Offered
The following justice studies programs are available at the university:
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Paralegal
The Paralegal program prepares students for careers as an integral part of the legal system.
The online paralegal program teaches students about the legal system and the importance of legal ethics.
Students learn from practicing judges, attorneys, and paralegals.
The program leads to a Paralegal Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months.
Those who already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree can graduate with a Paralegal Certificate online in as few as eight months.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Law and the Legal System
- Introduction to Legal Research
- Paralegal Capstone
- Legal Ethics
- Law Office Management
- Family Law
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 385 Douglas Ave Suite #1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
- Phone: 407-635-8200
- Website: https://info.rasmussen.edu
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 850 | $60,390 | $29.04 | $78,990 | $38,890 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 290 | $54,850 | $26.37 | $76,980 | $33,490 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 480 | $55,060 | $26.47 | $73,500 | $37,370 |
| Gainesville, FL | 340 | $49,860 | $23.97 | $72,800 | $29,780 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 60 | $48,690 | $23.41 | $65,560 | $28,500 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,990 | $59,960 | $28.83 | $82,830 | $38,590 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 500 | $54,760 | $26.33 | $73,430 | $37,210 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 12,420 | $66,140 | $31.8 | $93,750 | $40,240 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 420 | $61,610 | $29.62 | $83,290 | $45,630 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 940 | $58,660 | $28.2 | $77,960 | $39,080 |
| Ocala, FL | 300 | $53,630 | $25.79 | $65,010 | $37,300 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 5,640 | $57,270 | $27.53 | $77,500 | $38,040 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 630 | $59,440 | $28.58 | $78,310 | $38,010 |
| Panama City, FL | 190 | $50,910 | $24.48 | $66,220 | $32,200 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 900 | $51,500 | $24.76 | $73,690 | $35,010 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 510 | $60,510 | $29.09 | $88,130 | $36,980 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 120 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $72,680 | $33,430 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 150 | $58,170 | $27.97 | $77,980 | $38,410 |
| Sebring, FL | 40 | $51,990 | $24.99 | $62,350 | $35,660 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 830 | $53,060 | $25.51 | $75,300 | $34,280 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 6,260 | $65,440 | $31.46 | $88,050 | $41,770 |
| The Villages, FL | 50 | $53,310 | $25.63 | $78,040 | $34,420 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Florida provides plenty of training options for those who want to start a career in the paralegal profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the top training programs available for Florida residents, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
