Paralegal/Legal Studies, A.S.
Associate in Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences and Human SciencesContact Information
Explore this Program:
About this Program
The Paralegal/Legal Studies, A.S. program prepares students to perform effectively as a part of a legal services team and helps students successfully enter the field of paralegal and/or legal assisting. The course work in the program also serves as an informal primer for students considering law school.
Total Credit Hours:
64
Estimated Time to Complete Program:
5 terms*
*based on 15 credit hours per term
Estimated Tuition Cost:
$6,453.12*
Eligible for Financial Aid:
Yes
Eligible for Veteran's Aid:
Yes
*based on current in-state tuition rate of $100.83 per credit hour
Program Overview & Requirements
Program Purpose:
To prepare students to enter the field of paralegal and/or legal assisting and to perform effectively as a part of a legal services team. The course work in the program also serves as an informal primer for students considering law school.
Program Length:
64 credit hours
Academic Division:
Behavioral, Social Sciences and Education
Contact:
(850) 201-8488
View Information about Graduation Requirements and Year of Entry .
Note: Students who intend to earn a Paralegal/Legal Studies Associate in Science degree in a timely manner should pay close attention to the paralegal classes offered each semester and make enrolling in paralegal classes their first scheduling priority. The courses in this program are primarily offered as online or evening classes.
General Education (18 credit hours)
- ENC1101 College Composition 3 credit hour(s)
- Any additional General Education Communications TCC Core course 3 credit hour(s)
- Any General Education Humanities State Core course 3 credit hour(s)
- Any General Education Mathematics State Core course 3 credit hour(s)
- Any General Education Natural Sciences State Core course 3 credit hour(s)
- Any General Education Social Sciences State Core course 3 credit hour(s)
Program Courses (46 credit hours)
- BUL2241 Legal Concepts of Business 3 credit hour(s)
- BUL2242 The Law of Business 3 credit hour(s)
- IDS2182 Applied Ethics Seminar 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA1003 Introduction to the Legal Process 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA1104 Legal Research 4 credit hour(s)
- PLA2114 Legal Writing 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2203 Litigation Procedures I 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2223 Litigation Procedures II 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2600 Wills, Trusts and Probate 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2610 Real Estate Law and Property Transactions 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2763 Law Office Procedures and Management 3 credit hour(s)
- PLA2800 Family Law 3 credit hour(s)
- Select and college-level History courses: 6 credit hour(s)
- IDS2941 Technology and Professional Programs Internship 3 credit hour(s)
- CGS2100 Microcomputer Applications for Business 3 credit hour(s)
- CJL2100 Criminal Law 3 credit hour(s)
Select one of the following:
First Semester
- Meet with the Advising Center & declare a meta-major
- Attend events during First Year Experience Week
- Check on the Course Requirements
- Club participation can boost your GPA! Consider joining these:
Having trouble with English, math, or other courses?
FREE tutoring available!
The Learning Commons
Main Campus
(850) 201 – 8193
Learningcommons@tcc.fl.edu
By 30 credit hours
- Visit Career Center
Student Union, 2nd Floor, Student Support Services - Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Meet with the Advising Center
- Check on the Course Requirements
- Review your degree audit in TCC EagleNet
By 45 credit hours (75% completion)
- Meet with Career Placement Coordinator in TCC Career Center
- Complete graduation check workshop online.
(You will receive an email notification when you are eligible.) - Review your degree audit in TCC EagleNet
Last semester
- Want to Walk? Commencement ceremonies only take place once a year, so check the deadline!
- Review your degree audit in TCC EagleNet
- Review Graduation Checklist
- You Must Apply for Degree (for instructions, click here)
Contact information
Behavioral, Social Sciences and Education
P: (850) 201-8488
E: hss@tcc.fl.edu
Advising
TCC Main Campus
Student Union Building, Second Floor
P: (850) 201-8440
E: advisingcenter@tcc.fl.edu
Related Careers
All career information is provided by Career Coach, and reflects data available for the Tallahassee area.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
81Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- File pleadings with court clerk.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($30,587.58) to highly-experienced workers ($59,264.54). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Licensing Examiner and Inspector
Licensing Examiner and Inspector
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for, conformity with, or liability under licenses or permits.
125Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
- Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
- Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
- Prepare reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions.
- Report law or regulation violations to appropriate boards or agencies.
- Confer with or interview officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify facts relevant to licensing decisions.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($26,036.92) to highly-experienced workers ($52,181.05). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Legal Secretary
Legal Secretary
Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.
26Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Receive and place telephone calls.
- Schedule and make appointments.
- Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
- Draft and type office memos.
- Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($27,566.34) to highly-experienced workers ($48,386.46). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Title Examiner, Abstractor, and Searcher
Title Examiner, Abstractor, and Searcher
Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.
11Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.
- Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
- Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities, and outlining actions needed to clear titles.
- Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
- Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.
- Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
- Read search requests to ascertain types of title evidence required and to obtain descriptions of properties and names of involved parties.
- Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors' offices.
- Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.
- Enter into record-keeping systems appropriate data needed to create new title records or update existing ones.
- Retrieve and examine real estate closing files for accuracy and to ensure that information included is recorded and executed according to regulations.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($20,464.22) to highly-experienced workers ($45,469.36). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career