The Center for Legal Studies is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA).
Legal
Secretary Certificate Course
This Certificate Course was developed by and is administered by the
Center for Legal Studies.
Course Description: This 42-hour, seven week, intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; computers, word and data processing; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.
This online
course will cover:
• The origins and history of the American legal system
• The meaning and application of important legal terminology
• Ethics for the law office
• The elements of tort law and contract law
• The important rules of civil procedure
• How to conduct a legal interview and maintain good client relations
• How to use some of the common word processing features specifically
for the law office
• How to prepare legal documents including letters, pleadings, discovery
documents, motions and memos
• The basic rules of citation format
• The elements of law office management
This is an
accelerated course, and you will be expected to spend an average of at
least 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please
note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted
for this online course.
Course
Prerequisites: This course presumes a basic knowledge of word processing
and a typing proficiency of at least 50 words per minute. Basic word processing
and typing skills will not be covered in this course.
TEXTS: The required texts for this course are available through The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737:
The following texts are recommended but not required:
Books ordered the week immediately prior to class beginning will incur an additional FedEx charge. Prices are subject to change.
How to earn your Certificate of Program Completion: Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, one writing assignment, and class participation. The tests and memos are submitted using the Private Mail tool within the courseware. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the online Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course.
Your final
grade will be figured as follows:
• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• The one writing assignment is worth 100 points and comprises 30%
of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises
10% of your grade.
Withdrawal
Policy: Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund (less $50 administrative fee) if
written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email to info@legalstudies.com
by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with
a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal
Studies by email to info@legalstudies.com
anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday
of class. After the first Thursday of class no refunds will be issued.
Register online for SU09 II Online Session: June 29 through August 14, 2009
Register online for FA09 I Online Session: August 24 through October 9, 2009
Register online for FA09 II Online Session: October 19 through December 4, 2009
Or use our printable registration form.
