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:

  1. Develop various skills and aspects of an entry-level legal assistant
  2. Use current technology to create and edit legal documents
  3. 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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermCredits
BA 180
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
 Credits15-16
Second Term
BA 214 Business Communications 5 3
LA 101 Intro to Paralegal Studies 3
PSY 101
Psychology of Human Relations 4
or Interpersonal Communication
3-4
LA 128 Legal Procedures II 1 4
WR 121Z Composition I 4
 Credits17-18
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
 Credits12
 Total Minimum Credits44-46
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.