Skip Navigation LinksHome > Campus Locations > West Palm Beach, FL > Paralegal Studies (AS)
Share Print

South University — West Palm Beach Paralegal Associate’s Degree Program

Request Information

Required Fields (*)

select
select
select

Step 1 of 2

Paralegal Studies programs offered at South University—west-palm-beach

Program Information

Are you looking for paralegal associate’s degree programs in West Palm Beach, Florida? The Associate of Science (AS) in Paralegal Studies degree program at South University’s West Palm Beach campus provides you with the educational preparation to serve as a paralegal or legal assistant. The American Bar Association (ABA) definition of paralegal is “…a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

In keeping with the demands of professionalism, the South University — West Palm Beach paralegal associate’s degree program consists of specialized coursework and a supervised externship in selected legal settings both public and private, such as police administration, law firms, real estate companies, title companies, bank and trust agencies, and judicial offices, while working under the supervision of an attorney.

This South University — West Palm Beach paralegal associate’s degree program also provides a strong academic foundation for transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree program.

This program is approved by the American Bar Association. The partially online format for the Paralegal Studies degree program is only available through our Savannah campus.

The ABA has approved the South University Paralegal and Legal Studies Programs at Savannah, GA., Montgomery, AL., West Palm Beach, FL., and Columbia, SC. Legal and Paralegal Studies programs offered at our Novi, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Cleveland campuses will not be eligible to apply for ABA approval until they have graduates and have been operating for at least two years. Only the South University program at Savannah has had courses approved in an alternative (online) delivery format by the ABA. Additionally, those who enroll in the partially online Paralegal and Legal Studies Programs in Savannah must complete LGS 1005 Legal Research and Writing I and three other paralegal/legal studies courses of their choice, with guidance from their program director or academic counselor in the traditional classroom format on a South University campus or other institution that meets our transfer criteria.

Program Outcomes

The AS in Paralegal Studies program prepares graduates to work directly under the supervision of an attorney in entry-level positions and perform general background work for the legal firm.

About Paralegals

Quick Facts*

  • Approximately 7 out of 10 work for law firms; others work for corporate legal departments and government agencies.

  • Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor’s degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies.

  • Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks formerly carried out by lawyers.

  • Competition for jobs should continue; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

*Provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Tuition Data for this program at South University, West Palm Beach, FL

Below is the current tuition cost for this program for a full-time student completing the entire program in normal time. All tuition and fees are subject to change.

Room & Board*$0
Program Fees$175
Tuition$41960
Books & Digital Resources$3200

The financial aid office uses an estimate of direct and indirect costs to determine how much financial aid a student may be eligible for. Direct costs include tuition, fees, some books and supplies, and institutional housing. Indirect costs include estimates of other living expenses, transportation and personal expenses. Housing costs may be considered direct or indirect. Examples of the costs of attendance estimates used can be found by clicking here.

*optional where available



  • Gainful Employment Information for this program –-

    • View info for this institution
    • View info for this specific location
    Program Costs
    Q:

    How much will this program cost me?

    A:

    Below is the institution tuition cost for this program for a full-time student completing the entire program in normal time. All tuition and fees are subject to change.

    Room & Board*$22340
    Program Fees$175
    Tuition$41960
    Books & Digital Resources$3200
    *optional where available

    Median Debt
    Q:

    What are my financing options to pay for the program?

    A:

    In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, 89% of graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates:

    • Federal Loans: $29340
    • Private Educational Loans: $0
    • Institutional Financing plan: $406

    Success
    Q:

    How long will it take me to complete this program?

    A:

    The program could take as little as 24 months to complete.

    46% of graduates from this program finished in this time.

    Q:

    What percentage of students find employment in their field or a related field?

    A:

    Data for this program is unavailable. If you have questions, please talk with your admission representative.

    Q:

    What are the job opportunities for graduates of this program?

    A:

    For more information on job opportunities in this field of study: ONET Online. The job opportunities link is for general information purposes. The program you have selected could have different outcomes. Please check with your admissions registrar for detailed information.