The goal of this program is to prepare students to meet the challenges as paralegals (legal assistants) in law firms, governmental entities and corporate legal departments. Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys to provide non-clerical professional support in the delivery of legal services to clients and the community. Paralegals are not licensed to practice law. Graduates are prepared to assist in interview and investigation, legal research, discovery and litigation support and design and development of new procedures. Courses provide for specialization in three areas to be selected from the following: Estate and Guardianship Administration, Corporations, Real Estate, Family Law, Civil Litigation or Criminal Litigation. Legal Specialty courses are offered only at night and not every course is offered every semester Program is directed from the Clearwater Campus with a majority of the classes held at the Caruth Health Center in Pinellas Park. The SPC Paralegal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association. 

Students entering the program are encouraged to attend a special orientation held each session for new and interested students. Computer skills are essential for employability and should be acquired early in the program.

APPROVED REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH CATALOG YEAR 20081 (0400) OR LATER
~ REFER TO CURRICULUM FILES FOR PREVIOUS CATALOG YEAR REQUIREMENTS ~

C&I 10/7/03 ~ BOT 11/18/03; 6/17/08