2020-2021
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Real Estate Paralegal Certificate
Career Cluster:	Law, Public Safety & Security

CCC	
CIP Number	0722030203	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC) 	
Standard Length	12 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants; 
23-2093 Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers 	
CTE Program Resources	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml  	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) AS degree program (1722030200). 

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Law, Public Safety and Security career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Law, Public Safety and Security career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as paralegals and paralegals (SOC 23-2011), title examiners (SOC 23-2093) or abstractors (SOC 23-2093), or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.  The program should meet the requirements of paralegal education programs recommended by the American Bar Association.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 12 credit hours.  The content includes, but is not limited to, real property law; ethics and code of professional responsibility; contract law; and employability skills.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional standards of the paralegal.
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of real property law and its application to real property transactions.
03.0	Demonstrate employability skills.
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of principles of contract law including the Uniform Commercial Code.

2020-2021
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Real Estate Paralegal Certificate 
CIP Number:		0722030203
Program Length:	12 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		23-2011, 23-2093

This certificate program is part of the Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) AS program (1722030200). At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional standards of the paralegal. The student will be able to: 	
01.01	Define a variety of legal terms and concepts relating to professionalism and the ethical responsibilities of the paralegal, including but not limited to Unauthorized Practice of Law.	
01.02	Contrast the duties and responsibilities of the legal team with those of the paralegal.	
01.03	Describe activities paralegals are prohibited from doing.	
01.04	Briefly outline the development of the occupation of paralegal.	
01.05	Explain the role of the paralegal and the benefit he or she adds to the legal team, as well as the legal system as a whole.	
01.06	List, discuss and apply the rules of professional responsibility in the legal profession, with special emphasis on client confidentiality and Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL). 	
01.07	Describe methods for resolving ethical dilemmas within the legal environment or given a hypothetical case.	
01.08	Discuss what constitutes legal malpractice and provide examples.	
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of real property law and its application to real property transactions. The student will be able to: 	
02.01	Define terms associated with real estate law and transactions.	
02.02	Discuss real property concepts to include, but not be limited to, the types of estates that can be conveyed under Florida law.	
02.03	Contrast the basic responsibilities of the lawyer and the real estate broker in the conveyance of real property, from the sales or     option contract to the recording of the deed.	
02.04	Describe the basic requirements of, and prepare, a contract for sale of real property and the use of electronic signatures. 	
02.05	Describe and prepare real property deeds.	
02.06	Discuss the purpose of title insurance and conduct title searches using online tools.	
02.07	Explain how recording is accomplished and the importance of recording a deed, mortgage, or other real estate documents.	
02.08	List and explain the most common forms of limitations on real property use such as covenants, easements, zoning laws, and land use regulations.	
02.09	 Briefly explain the various encumbrances that can be placed against real property.	
02.10	Describe, plan and execute the steps and procedures in a typical real estate closing.	
02.11	Describe and prepare a variety of real property documents such as a lease, a promissory note, an option contract, an agreement for deed or a mortgage.	
02.12	Distinguish personal property from real property.	
02.13	Perform online property searches.	
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of employability skills. The student will be able to: 	
03.01	 Describe and implement the methods to conduct an employment search for a paralegal position.	
03.02	Identify documents that may be required when applying for an employment position, including background checks.	
03.03	Draft a cover letter and resume.	
03.04	Demonstrate competence in employment interviewing techniques.	
03.05	Identify or demonstrate appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons.	
03.06	Identify acceptable work habits, including professionalism and appropriate soft skills.	
03.07	Demonstrate knowledge of how to make job changes in employment appropriately and professionally.	
03.08	Identify and demonstrate acceptable professional appearance, grooming, and demeanor standards.	
03.09	Demonstrate comprehensive computer skills.	
03.10	Identify post-degree options.	
04.0	
Demonstrate knowledge of principles of contract law including the Uniform Commercial Code. The student will be able to: 	
04.01	Identify and describe the elements of a contract.	
04.02	Demonstrate knowledge of contract terminology.	
04.03	Identify the differences between void and voidable contracts.	
04.04	Demonstrate knowledge of the Statute of Frauds.	
04.05	Demonstrate knowledge of the parol evidence rule.	
04.06	Recognize and identify various types of contracts, such as adhesion, bilateral, unilateral, implied, and express.	
04.07	Prepare a basic contract given a set of facts.	
04.08	Demonstrate knowledge of specific performance, breach of contract, and remedies, and defenses for breach of contract.	
04.09	Demonstrate knowledge of third party beneficiary contracts.	
04.10	Demonstrate knowledge of requirements for modification of contracts and assignments of contracts.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml