Follow the step by step process on how to become a paralegal below:
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has projected that between the years 2012 and 2020, job opportunities for paralegals in Florida will increase sharply. It is estimated that jobs for paralegals in Florida will increase by an average of 3.38 percent per year during this time, rising from 21,951 statewide in 2012 to 27,882 by 2020. This is a great time to become a paralegal in Florida. To discover how to do just that, read on.
Under Florida law, paralegals do not have to meet any education standards in order to work in the state. However, most employers of Florida paralegals expect their employees to have education in legal assisting or paralegal studies.
Florida Paralegal Online and Campus Schools
Featured Programs:
Purdue University Global - Online Bachelor's in Legal Support and Services - Paralegal Concentration
Regent University - Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Arizona State University Online - Earn Your Master of Legal Studies in as little as one year.
Washington University School of Law, Top-20 law school - 1-Year Online Master of Legal Studies, No GRE/LSAT required.
Post University - Online Associate and Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Rasmussen University - Online Paralegal Associate Degree and Post-Degree Certificate Programs
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law - Online Master of Legal Studies Program, Bachelor's Required
American University - Online Master of Legal Studies- No GRE/ LSAT Req'd, Five Concentrations Available, Bachelor's Required
Paralegal programs in Florida may or may not be American Bar Association (ABA) accredited. These paralegal programs in Florida currently do hold ABA accreditation:
Most Florida paralegal education programs will require that you complete an internship as a student. This will provide you with work experience in the field. If your program does not offer this opportunity, you may seek volunteer work experience on your own. In Florida, options for volunteer work as a paralegal may be found at:
The Florida Bar has started a Florida Registered Paralegal program, which is not mandatory but is an option for paralegals in Florida. Registration as a paralegal in Florida is strictly voluntary and not required, but if you decide to register, you might find more employers in the state willing to hire you. In order to register, you must meet one of the following educational criteria or certification criteria:
Educational criteria:
Certification criteria:
To apply to become a Florida Registered Paralegal, complete this application and mail it along with the $145 fee and supporting documentation to The Florida Bar, Florida Registered Paralegal, 651 East Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2325.
Paralegals in Florida have many options when it comes to choosing a workplace. From law groups to corporations to nonprofit organizations, paralegals are in demand in Florida. Examples of potential employers of Florida paralegals include:
Congratulations! You are now a paralegal working in the sunshine state! You might want to consider joining an optional, voluntary membership organization such as the ones below. They can help put you in touch with continuing legal education, networking opportunities and more:
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