Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

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

College Credit Certificate	
CIP Number	0722030203	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC) 	
Program Length	12 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	For program SOC codes, please see the Program and Course Tables section of the CTE Program Resources page linked below.	
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, title examiners or abstractors, 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.

The content includes, but is not limited to, real property law; ethics and code of professional responsibility; contract law; and employability skills.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 11 credit hours.  
When developing the course sequence for the local implementation of this program, select courses that:
•	Meet the skill development requirements of the standards and benchmarks of this program.
•	Where reasonable and practicable, align with programs offered by your institution or other postsecondary institutions in Florida, including: 
o	Related AS and AAS degrees.
o	Baccalaureate degrees within the same career pathway and/or Federal CIP code.

Visit FloridaShines’ Discover Programs website to identify other institutions that offer similar programs to review their course sequencing. Where appropriate, course alignment between institutions offering related programs can facilitate interagency student articulation.

Visit FloridaShines’ Common Prerequisites Manual to identify courses that are prerequisites for admission into an upper division program.  When sub-baccalaureate courses are aligned to the course admissions requirements of baccalaureate programs with the same career pathway, students can enter upper division coursework seamlessly.   

Florida’s Career Readiness Skills for CTE Programs

Employability Skills	
01.0	Apply academic skills to workplace scenarios.	
01.01	Use reading skills.	
01.02	Use writing skills.	
01.03	Use mathematical strategies and procedures.	
01.04	Use scientific principles and procedures.	
02.0	Design a solution to an industry problem.	
02.01	Use critical thinking.	
02.02	Use creativity.	
02.03	Make sound decisions.	
02.04	Solve problems.	
02.05	Reason. 	
02.06	Plan and organize.	
03.0	Manage resources within an industry project	
03.01	Manage time.	
03.02	Manage money or resources.	
03.03	Manage materials.	
03.04	Manage personnel.	
04.0	Oversee the subcomponents, operations and output of a technical or organizational system.	
04.01	Manage systems.	
04.02	Monitor systems.	
04.03	Improve systems.	
05.0	Use information for decision making.	
05.01	Locate information.	
05.02	Organize information.	
05.03	Use information.	
05.04	Analyze information.	
05.05	Communicate information.	
06.0	Apply relevant technology to workplace scenarios to aid productivity.	
06.01	Use technology.	
07.0	Interpret and express interpersonal communication.	
07.01	Communicate verbally.	
07.02	Listen actively.	
07.03	Comprehend written material.	
07.04	Convey information in writing.	
07.05	Communicate nonverbally.	
07.06	Interpret nonverbal communication.	
08.0	Interact with others to accomplish workplace goals.	
08.01	Collaborate with others in a team.	
08.02	Respond to customer needs.	
08.03	Exercise leadership.	
08.04	Negotiate to resolve conflict.	
08.05	Respect others.	
09.0	Manage personal behavior to maximize productivity and professional growth.	
09.01	Demonstrate responsibility and self-discipline.	
09.02	Adapt and show flexibility.	
09.03	Work independently.	
09.04	Demonstrate a willingness to learn.	
09.05	Demonstrate integrity.	
09.06	Demonstrate professionalism.	
09.07	Take initiative.	
09.08	Display positive attitude.	
09.09	Take responsibility for professional growth.	
Job Attainment	
10.0	Find, assess and apply to job opportunities.	
10.01	Identify online job posts relevant to his or her career aspirations.	
10.02	Compare and contrast the job posts’ required qualifications, job duties, compensation, benefits and employers. 	
10.03	Define what information, documentation and writing prompts are required for the positions.	
11.0	Communicate personal competence, character and fit for a job opportunity.	
11.01	Develop a resume.	
11.02	Write a cover letter.	
11.03	Curate a professional portfolio that includes work products.	
11.04	Prepare for and experience a mock job interview.	
12.0	Cultivate and leverage relationships to professionally advance.	
12.01	Request a signed reference letter, letter of recommendation and/or an online skill/professionalism endorsement. 	
12.02	Develop a plan to cultivate a professional digital footprint.	
12.03	Develop a networking plan for a specific industry of interest.	

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.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title: 	Real Estate Paralegal Certificate 
CIP Number: 		0722030203
Program Length: 	12 credit hours

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, and substantial 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.