Paralegal Studies

The program follows Keiser University's one-class-at-a-time model, with students focusing on a single course during each four-week term and new classes starting every month. Small classes support a roughly 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

The Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies requires 60 credit hours across approximately 20 courses and takes about 24 months to complete. Classes are available in day, evening, online, and hybrid formats at select campuses, allowing students to fit study around work and other commitments. Up to 12 transfer credits may be accepted toward the degree. The program does not include a required clinical or externship component; skills are developed through applied coursework in legal research, drafting, and case management.

The curriculum pairs a general education core with about 24 credit hours of specialized legal coursework spanning civil litigation, criminal law, family law, contracts, torts, real property, wills/trusts/estates, and legal research and writing. Representative courses are listed below.

Required Courses

Tuition is charged per 16-week semester based on scheduled credit hours. Full-time enrollment (12–17.99 credits) is approximately $12,408 per semester under the Keiser Undergraduate Tuition & Fee Disclosure (subject to annual review). At full-time pace, the 60-credit program is estimated at roughly $49,600 in tuition over about four full-time semesters; the actual total varies with transfer credits, pacing, and any per-course resource fees that may apply. Enrollment also involves a one-time $55 application fee and a one-time $145 registration fee (subject to annual review).

Financial aid is available to those who qualify and may include federal Pell Grants, FSEOG, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Work-Study, as well as Florida state aid (FSAG and EASE), institutional scholarships, and veterans and military education benefits. Students should complete the FAFSA annually (Keiser's FAFSA School Code is 015159). For a personalized estimate, use Keiser's Net Price Calculator at https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/NPC-index.html.

Estimated total program tuition of about $49,632 (full-time semesters at ~$12,408/semester); actual cost varies with pace and transfer credit.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles as paralegals and legal assistants supporting attorneys and legal teams. Typical employers include private law firms, corporate legal departments, banks, government agencies, real estate offices, and legal services organizations.

Because the curriculum covers several practice areas, graduates can work across specialties such as family law, personal injury, contract law, criminal law, and real property. The associate degree can also serve as a foundation for continued study toward a bachelor's degree or, ultimately, law school. Note that paralegals in the United States work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and cannot practice law or provide legal advice; the paralegal profession does not require a state license, and no licensing exam is mandated to work as a paralegal.

Expect to focus on one legal or general education course at a time in four-week terms, which lets you concentrate fully on each subject before moving on. Legal courses are practice-oriented: you'll draft legal documents, conduct legal research, organize case files, and work through procedures used in civil litigation, criminal law, family law, and other areas.

Faculty bring real-world legal experience into the classroom, and small class sizes mean regular interaction and mentorship. Whether you study on campus, online, or in a hybrid format, plan for steady weekly reading, writing, and research assignments that build the attention to detail, organization, and professionalism that legal employers expect.