Training for legal administrative assistants
typically combines on-the-job training with some type of post-secondary
education, such as a legal administrative assistant certificate. While
online legal administrative assistant certificates are not common, some
U.S. colleges do offer such programs.
Online Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Overview
Students of online legal administrative assistant programs develop required typing, administrative and communications skills. Some schools require that students have proficient keyboarding skills or have the ability to type a determined number of words per minute before entering the certificate program. Depending on the school, students completing this program can be awarded either a diploma or a certificate. In some cases, legal office administration can be a specialization within an office administration or office technology certificate program.Online Program Information and Requirements
Distance learning legal administrative assistant certificate programs are generally conducted entirely online, though some schools offer an internship or administer tests at proctored sites rather than online. This certificate can typically be achieved in one year or less.Common Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Courses
The curriculum of an online legal administrative assistant program typically addresses business communications, legal terminology and legal office administration procedures. Additional program coursework is likely to include business law, keyboarding, business English, legal writing, interpersonal communications and word processing.Business Communications
The use of letters, e-mails and memos as means of professional communication are studied in business communications courses. Writing and interpersonal communication skills are generally developed in these types of courses.Legal Terminology
Legal terminology courses address the use and definitions of legal terms. Students learn the language used in specific legal documents, such as contracts, wills and court proceedings.Legal Office Administration Procedures
Students of legal office administration procedures courses learn how to process legal documents, interact with clients and maintain confidentiality. Technology and equipment used in legal offices might also be covered.Career Information for Graduates
Legal administrative assistants work for private law firms, banks, corporate legal departments and state and federal government offices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for legal assistants is expected to be 28% between 2008 and 2018. Annual salaries for legal administrative assistants vary. They are impacted mainly by geography and employer type. In 2009, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,980 for legal assistants. Payscale.com states that legal administrative assistance with a certificate made between $15.15-$19.33 per hour as of Aug 2010.Continuing Education Information
Those who complete this online certificate program can pursue an associate's degree for legal administrative assistants, as some employers might require applicants to possess a degree. Several colleges and universities throughout the U.S. offer online 2-year programs for legal administrative assistants that result most commonly in an Associate of Applied Science degree.Legal administrative assistants with 1-5 years of experience can choose to pursue certification in this field. NALS, the association for legal professionals, offers the basic Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS) and advanced Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) certifications. Legal Secretaries International, Inc provides the Certified Legal Secretary Specialist credential for legal administrative assistants with five years of experience.
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