Westfield State University
Legal Secretary Certificate Course
About This Course
This 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; an overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.
Lesson 1: During this first section students will receive an introduction to the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of the practice of law. Discussion will include the process of law as well as the specific legal terminology. Ethics are also covered.
Lesson 2: This section addresses the particulars of law office management. This session also studies technology used in the law office. Students will be exposed to actual court documents and will prepare some of these documents as part of their homework.
Lesson 3: The final section will be spent examining the intricacies of the law office, including office procedure manuals, billing techniques, and overall management techniques of the law office. Students will also be introduced to the basics of legal research and proper citation format. Job search strategies and placement possibilities will also be discussed.
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Online$645~$729
Course Schedule
Please call 1-800-522-7737 or email [email protected] for more information.
The Legal Secretary Certificate Course is offered in the following formats:
Online$645~$729
The Center for Legal Studies features in an online format the same Legal Secretary Certificate Course that has been offered live since 1980 at colleges and universities throughout the nation. Through your computer, this course is available to students who, because of location or schedule conflicts, are unable to attend the popular live lectures.
- View the Course Syllabus
- Review the material as many times as necessary for full retention of the information.
- Students benefit from direct interaction with the instructor and other students by way of email and a discussion board.
- Students have 7 weeks to complete the online course.
- Students e-mail assignments and exams
- Once registered, your password and access information will be sent in time for the start of class.
Highly Recommended Legal Resource:
- WESTLAW legal research access, only $89. Please call 1-800-522-7737 for more information or order online
Required Course Textbooks
Recommended Course Textbooks
Westlaw Agreement: (Please read Westlaw agreement (link below) and check agree in order to add this item.)
In order to add Westlaw Access to your shopping cart, you must read the Westlaw agreement and check the "Yes I Agree" check box to the bottom indicating you agree. You must also select the school you are taking CLS courses through below.
Please Note: Westlaw access through CLS is only available to students currently enrolled in CLS courses.
I understand that this online Westlaw access is for use by students currently enrolled in Center for Legal Studies courses and that this access will expire at the end of the time listed below, regardless of my completion status. I understand that the subscription will only be valid during the times outlined below. My Westlaw subscription is also limited to 60 hours per month and 600,000 downloads within the time that the subscription is valid.
Live Lecture Course Format: Paralegal Certificate Course
Live course format student’s access will expire on the first business day after the last day of class, regardless of when Westlaw is purchased.
Please Note: Access is required for the entire course duration.
Online Course Format: Paralegal Certificate Course
Online course format student’s access will expire on the seventh Saturday of the session for Paralegal 2, regardless of when Westlaw is purchased.
Please Note: Access is required for the second half of the 14 week online course only. If you wish to have access to Westlaw for the first half of the course, you will have to purchase two subscriptions at $89 each.
Online Courses: Online Courses (excluding Paralegal Certificate Course)
Online course format student’s access will expire on the seventh Saturday of the online session.
Please Note: Westlaw subscriptions will expire on the originally scheduled end date of your online course regardless of course completion status, or the date that you purchased Westlaw.
DVD or Text-Only Format
DVD or text-only course format student’s access will expire 60 days from the date of activation.
If I drop the course at any time prior to the course end date, my Westlaw access will expire the same day that I drop the course and the $89 will not be refunded. I understand that Westlaw access is non-refundable once I have received my Westlaw access information. In the event that I exceed the usage restrictions, I will need to purchase another subscription at the $89 subscription fee.
I also understand that the Westlaw access is solely for use in completing my Center for Legal Studies course and that I will not release my password information to anyone.