Paralegal Studies
Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1722030200)
(Articulated A.S. to B.A/B.S. Career Path)
Valencia’s Paralegal Studies Program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).
This program is designed for students who seek employment in the legal environment and who may also decide to transfer as a junior to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. Students may transfer through a specific program agreement to the University of Central Florida, University of West Florida, or Florida Gulf Coast University. These articulations provide graduates with clear pathways to transition into B.A. or B.S. programs at these Florida public universities. Additional general education and legal specialty courses will be required in the university program.
As of August 2026, this program is no longer ABA Approved. Students completing the program after this date will not graduate from an ABA Approved Paralegal program.
Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and specialization course sequence as a guide in program planning. This is found on the Paralegal Studies program page.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Student Success Coach in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.
All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.
Start Right
Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Student Success Coach or create an education plan by logging into MyVC, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.
Potential Careers
- Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
Salary & Earnings Information
For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.
Contacts
Future Students
To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-1507 or visit the Paralegal Studies program page.
Current Students
Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in MyVC. Log into MyVC, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach.
Faculty Program Chair
TBD
Program Outcomes
- Research and analyze a legal issue under the supervision of a member of the Bar.
- Draft certain legal documents used in litigation and transactional matters under the supervision of a member of the Bar.
- Apply the appropriate ethics rules to hypothetical ethical scenarios that may arise in the legal setting under the supervision of a member of the Bar.
- Describe practices, traits, and technology required to work effectively under the supervision of a member of the Bar.
Program Requirements
| ENC 1101 | FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I +*~ | 3 |
| ENC 1102 | FRESHMAN COMPOSITION II +*~ | 3 |
| POS 2041 | U.S. GOVERNMENT +~ | 3 |
| PLA 1003 | INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL PRACTICES AND ETHICS +* | 3 |
| SPC 1017 | INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| +*~GR | 3 |
| ~ | 3 |
| PLA 1104 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND THEORY I +* | 3 |
| PLA 1611 | REAL PROPERTY FUNDAMENTALS +* | 3 |
| PLA 1730C | COMPUTER-ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH +* | 1 |
| PLA 1058 | FOUNDATIONS OF LAW FOR PARALEGALS | 3 |
| PLA 2203 | CIVIL LITIGATION FUNDAMENTALS +* | 3 |
| PLA 2433 | BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS +* | 3 |
| PLA 2732 | LEGAL TECHNOLOGY +* | 3 |
| PSY 2012 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY ~ | 3 |
| APA 1111C | COLLEGE ACCOUNTING * | 3 |
| ~ | 3 |
| PLA 2223 | ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION *+ | 3 |
| PLA 1114 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND THEORY II *+ | 3 |
| PLA 2192 | LEGAL RESEARCH AND THEORY III CAPSTONE * | 3 |
| 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 |
| PLA 2465 | DEBTOR-CREDITOR/BANKRUPTCY +* | 3 |
| PLA 2560 | CASE MANAGEMENT FOR PARALEGALS +* | 3 |
| PLA 2601 | FOUNDATIONS OF WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION +* | 3 |
| PLA 2612 | ADVANCED REAL PROPERTY +* | 3 |
| PLA 2800 | FAMILY LAW +* | 3 |
| PLA 2841 | IMMIGRATION LAW FOR PARALEGALS +* | 3 |
| PLA 2930 | SELECTED TOPICS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES +* | 3 |
| PLA 2942 | INTERNSHIP IN PARALEGAL STUDIES +* | 3 |
Notes:
Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.
Expand your career opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership (BASBOL) from Valencia. This degree builds on your skills and prepares you for a supervisory or management role within your respective field. For more information, go to: Bachelor's Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership. Students who wish to continue their education should consult with a Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals.
Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution to accept this degree.
