Legal Assistant, Certificate
Program Description
This program is offered completely online and will require that students work in the legal field to gain on the job training in their chosen career field. Learning of practical skills and responsibilities required in this profession will build each term.
Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Legal Assistant Certificate will:
- Develop various skills and aspects of an entry-level legal assistant
- Use current technology to create and edit legal documents
- Develop professional and ethical standards required of legal assistants
Career Considerations
The legal assistant one-year certificate prepares students for entry-level jobs and future careers in the following areas: law firms, businesses, insurance companies, financial institutions, public agencies, title companies, and government offices.
Program Course Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| BA 180 or MTH 104 |
Business Mathematics I (or higher) or Math Literacy |
3-4 |
| LA 100 | Legal Procedures I 1 | 4 |
| LA 102 | Legal Terminology 1 | 3 |
| OA 116 | Records Management 5 | 2 |
| OA 128 | Editing for Business 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| BA 214 | Business Communications 5 | 3 |
| LA 101 | Intro to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| PSY 101 or COM 218Z |
Psychology of Human Relations 4 or Interpersonal Communication |
3-4 |
| LA 128 | Legal Procedures II 1 | 4 |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Third Term | ||
| LA 105 | Civil Procedure 1 | 3 |
| LA 132 | Ethics for Legal Prof | 3 |
| LA 280 | CWE- Legal Assistant 3 | 2 |
| PSY 201Z | Introduction to Psychology I 5 | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Minimum Credits | 44-46 | |
- 1
See catalog for course co-requisites or pre-requisites (MTH 65 can be taken instead of BA180)
- 2
See advisor or program coordinator for an individualized academic plan.
- 3
See instructor the term prior for information on cooperative work experience.
- 4
Meets Human Relations requirement
- 5
Any approved elective can be taken, see advisor for list of course options
A grade of C or better must be attained in all LA courses or courses must be retaken
Academic Entrance Requirement
- Working knowledge of MS Word
- Recommended Keyboarding speed of 45 WPM or take OA 110 Alpha Keyboarding (2 cr.)
- Students with a criminal record are strongly urged to research employability before entering the paralegal program. If students enter the program with a felony conviction, they should disclose this information to their paralegal advisor and any Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) employer.