Legal Office Assistant
Certificate
Curriculum code 1316
Course Requirements                     Information Management Systems Web site

In Moraine Valley Community College's Legal Office Assistant Program, you can prepare for a position as an administrative assistant in a legal office. Graduates are skilled in general office applications with an emphasis on legal terminology and procedures. Students acquire skills in preparing legal papers and correspondence such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas, and become familiar with legal research.

You will have the advantage of taking classes in Moraine Valley's Center for Contemporary Technology. You will gain skills on equipment and computer software used in today's modern offices.

Students with work experience and advanced skills should contact the department chairperson for assessment and course substitution information. Recent high school graduates may be eligible for college credit for selected vocational skills courses completed in high school.

This certificate program, which requires fewer credit hours to complete than an associate's degree, is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor's degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options.

Nature of Work—A legal secretary position requires excellent typing, language and organizational skills. You may be required to use skills in shorthand, machine transcription or word processing. An understanding of legal procedures and services, as well as terminology, is a must. As offices and courts become more reliant on electronic systems, legal secretaries should be familiar with office automation concepts.

Related Job Title—Legal typist, legal transcriptionist, legal assistant, executive assistant, administrative assistant and secretary.

Employment Outlook—Employment for secretarial positions is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008 in line with the general growth of the economy. The legal secretary industry will grow faster than average due to the secretaries' job responsibilities, including knowledge of technical terminology and procedures.

According to the Illinois Occupational Information, the average annual salary for legal secretaries is $30,050. However, salaries can vary depending on skill level, job location, prior experience and level of responsibility ranging from $15,375 to $40,000 annually.

For job and internship listings and job search assistance, contact the Job Resource Center in the Center for Contemporary Technology, T904, at (708) 974-5737, www.morainevalley.edu/jrc.