Seminole State, The Fund develop Real Estate Paraprofessional Certificate

Seminole State College of Florida and The Fund, an Orlando-based company that provides real estate transactional training to attorneys and paralegals, have partnered to develop a Real Estate Paraprofessional Certificate, which will train students in the intricacies of real estate transactions throughout the state of Florida.

The Fund promotes and facilitates the real estate practices of its members. The company was established in 1948 and supports more than 3,700 Florida residential and commercial real estate attorneys. 

“The real estate industry throughout the state of Florida shows no signs of slowing down in the near future,” says Dr. Cheryl Cicotti, associate vice president of the School of Business, Health and Public Safety. “Representatives from The Fund have been working cohesively with faculty and staff from Seminole State to tailor four courses that meet industry needs. … Members of The Fund have shared with us the need and demand for highly skilled and trained professionals within this field.”

The Real Estate Paraprofessional Certificate can be completed entirely online and includes four courses: Real Property I, Real Property II, Real Property Transactions and Real Estate Law Practicum. Upon completion of all courses, students will be awarded a college-credit certificate.  

Jimmy Jones, president and CEO of The Fund attributes Seminole State’s quality service and reputation as the critical factor in establishing a partnership with the College. 

“We knew that for any paraprofessional training program to both meet the needs of 21st-century students and provide consistent training on a statewide basis, we needed a partner who was able to provide high-quality education in the virtual environment,” says Jones.  “Seminole State has a reputation as an institution that listens to the needs of employers and students, and adapts to what the marketplace demands. …  We have found that to be true in every interaction we have had with the College's staff, and because the real estate closing business is always changing – whether it be new laws, regulations, technologies, or market conditions – we knew our partnership demanded the kind of flexibility Seminole State is so good at providing.”

Seminole State is The Fund’s exclusive partner for paraprofessional training. 

“This partnership creates an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience with attorneys who practice real estate law,” says Cicotti. “It also allows Seminole State to continue to foster relationships with big industry, which ultimately creates employment opportunities for students upon graduation."  

For more information about the Real Estate Paraprofessional Certificate visit the Legal Studies website.