Paralegal/Legal Assisting

The SCF Legal Assisting Program is a voting member of the American Association for Paralegal Education and is considered to be substantially in compliance with American Bar Association (ABA) requirements for paralegal programs. SCF instructors are highly qualified and dedicated to ensuring that all students attain their maximum potential in their academic endeavors.

Three paralegal/legal assisting options offered at SCF

There are many reasons why people choose legal training, and our students come from all walks of life. Some already have degrees and want to cross-train in order to perform legal functions in their careers, others want to become lawyers, and many just want to be legal assistants or paralegals.

If you already hold a college degree and want to get certified as a paralegal, consider the Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC). This is the fastest and least exhaustive of the three programs offered, but provides everything you need to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination. You already have all the general education courses recommended by the ABA and leading Paralegal Educator Organizations. You only need PLA courses (law courses).

If you don't have a degree and your goal is to get a paralegal degree and get to work, you will want the Associate in Science (A.S.) or Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Either will work well to prepare you for a career in a law office and to sit for the CLA exam.

If you want to continue law education, the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree prepares you for transfer at the junior level to an accredited four-year college or university where you will be able to complete your bachelor's degree. IT requires a minimum of 12 general education courses.

Additional materials about this program are available in the Social & Behavioral Sciences office, Building 9 at SCF Bradenton or by emailing paralegal@scf.edu .

Program Manager: Suzanne Bechtol
941-752-5359 Bradenton