Law firms are increasingly relying on trained secretaries and assistants to handle day-to-day operations-such as preparing legal correspondence, summonses, motions, and subpoenas-so that lawyers and paralegals can focus on preparing cases. An increasing number of large and small businesses and government agencies are trying to save money by performing routine legal processes in-house. As a result, new opportunities are arising for qualified legal secretaries who have strong secretarial skills and essential legal knowledge. If you would like to become a valuable member of a legal team, Kaplan University offers a convenient, flexible program through which you can earn your Legal Secretary Certificate online.

 Program Highlights 

This program is designed to help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and work habits employers seek when hiring legal secretaries or legal administrative assistants. Through interactive Web-based courses, you will have an opportunity to:

  • Interact with instructors who are practicing professionals in the fields they teach and are dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals at Kaplan University
  • Gain a greater understanding of the civil litigation process and fundamentals of the U.S. legal system, including contracts, torts, employment law, and debtor/creditor relations
  • Improve your ability to effectively communicate in the legal environment-verbally and in legal correspondence and documentation-using the appropriate legal terms, phrases, abbreviations, symbols, and reference sources used in the legal industry
  • Explore basic concepts of hardware, software, and the Internet and develop skills in the use of current software applications including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook*

 Curriculum for the Legal Secretary Certificate 

    Courses Credits
    Accounting I 5
    Interpersonal Communications 5
    The Paralegal Professional 5
    Legal and Professional Writing 5
    Legal Terminology and Transcription 5
    Introduction to Legal Technology 5
    Law Office Management 6
    Total Program Requirements 36

  

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

This program provides you with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to seek employment as a legal secretary or legal administrative assistant in a variety of settings. You may qualify to work in a law firm, government agency, and legal departments of organizations in the profit and nonprofit sectors. When you are ready to further your education, credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate may be transferred to other Kaplan University degree programs.

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$371.00
Total program requirements36
Total cost of tuition$13,356.00

This program requires a $100.00 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos151.htm (accessed May 2008).
† Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.