The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Paralegal/Legal Assisting program is celebrating its 50th anniversary of education, certification and career preparation. The Manatee Junior College (now SCF) Board of Trustees established one of Florida's initial legal assistant training programs in 1975, led by the late Peter Choulas. Over 400 students have since earned associate in science degrees and advanced technical certificates to start a legal paraprofessional career or enhance their professional skills.

 The estimated job growth for paralegals/legal assistants between 2019 and 2029 is 20.9 percent in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Approximately 37,300 paralegal and legal assistant job openings are projected on average yearly from 2023 to 2033 in the U.S., mostly due to workers changing occupations or leaving the labor force.

In 2022, SCF added a Real Estate Paraprofessional Certificate to help meet the industry’s growing needs. The certificate requires 12 credit hours of curriculum and an internship to prepare students for employment at real estate agencies, law firms and title companies. 

“SCF continues to listen to community stakeholders so it can improve the program offerings in ways that will develop work-ready paralegals,” said Suzanne Bechtol, Ph.D., SCF paralegal/legal assisting program manager and professor.

The SCF Paralegal/Legal Assisting program is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education. For more information about the program, call Bechtol at 941-752-5359 or email [email protected].