Legal Secretary

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your program consists of 12 Instruction Sets written to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you'll use in your new career.

Here's how it works
Your first Instruction Set will be sent immediately after your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with. Here is an overview of what you'll learn and the order in which you'll receive your lessons:

You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later, capable of running Microsoft® Office 2007. You will also need Internet access.

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where and how you’ll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.

The Legal Secretary
Introduction to the field; the secretary’s role in the workplace; necessary skills and abilities.

Instruction Set 2

Your Professional Image
Components of a professional image; the link between a professional image and job success; identifying personal strengths and detecting areas for improvement.

Stress and Time Management
Importance of relaxation; developing coping strategies and a stress management program; value of time management; setting goals.

Instruction Set 3

Interpersonal Communication Skills
The importance of interpersonal skills; effective listening; traits for positive interpersonal relations; oral communication skills, articulation; enunciation and pronunciation; improving speech; interacting with others; non-verbal communication; respecting and working with others.

Administrative Office Procedures
Responsibilities of the office professional; leadership tasks; project coordination; customer relations; business ethics; professionalism.

Travel and Meeting Planning
Using a business traveler profile; various ways of making travel arrangements; differentiating between classes of airfare; business traveler’s itinerary; planning online meetings; planning a convention.

Instruction Set 4

Filing Techniques
Filing according to the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA International); color-coded filing systems; electronic filing systems; alphabetic filing rules.

Records Management
Handling records; classification of records; records control; electronic records management; archiving technologies.

Math for Office Professionals
Basic math; mean, median, mode, and range; figuring sales tax; markups and markdowns; loan amortization, metric system; foreign currency exchange.

Instruction Set 5

Technologies in the Workplace
Technologies used in today’s workplace; use of the Internet; the virtual office; security and ethical issues; electronic communications; electronic communication systems.

Resources and References
Standard reference resources; using the Internet for research; mapping; manuals; using directories and libraries.

Internet Basics
Features of the Web; navigating the Web; accessing and sending email; basic research tools and search engines.

Instruction Set 6

Business English
Writing difficulties; grammar review (sentences, parts of speech, punctuation marks, and paragraphs); defining unfamiliar terms; finding ideas through freewriting and brainstorming; organizing ideas; principles of revising and editing; figures of speech; writing for the senses; getting the readers’ attention; descriptive writing; first-person narratives; reflective and persuasive essays; thesis statements.

Instruction Set 7

First Steps in Using a Personal Computer
The boot process; launching Microsoft® Windows®; developing mouse skills; Windows accessories; Windows programs.

Using Windows
Learning about Windows® XP, Vista®, and Windows® 7; setting up the Windows® desktop; working with Windows® tools.

Keyboarding and Word Processing
Alphabetic and numeric keys; keying techniques; basic keyboarding skills; improving speed and accuracy.

Textbook: Keyboarding and Word Processing

Software: Keyboarding Pro

Instruction Set 8

Advanced Word Processing
Formatting common business documents; basic and advanced word processing functions.

Textbook: Advanced Word Processing

Membership: Student membership in the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS)

Instruction Set 9

Integrated Applications
Integrating Microsoft® Word®, PowerPoint®, and Excel® to create documents with text, charts and graphs, and clip art, lines, and borders.

Textbook: Integrated Applications

Instruction Set 10

Legal Terminology, Part 1
Legal terms presented in context, including terminology used in criminal law, contracts, wills and estates, family law, and business organization.

Legal Terminology, Part 2
The basic elements of criminal procedure; elements commonly included in most contracts; common terms used in landlord-tenant relationships; various legal actions associated with family law.

Ethics, Professional, and Risk Management
Ethical issues in the legal office, including the lawyer’s role and special responsibilities; risk management; types of errors; relationship of ethics, professionalism, and risk management.

Instruction Set 11

Legal Document Preparation
Proper preparation of legal documents utilized in various fields of law, including pleadings, discovery, and appellate procedures.

Legal Research
Law and sources of law; computers and the Internet in legal research.

Textbook: Legal Office Document Processing

Instruction Set 12

Office Finances
Operating income; operating expenses; travel expenses; using technology to handle office finances; banking procedures; maintaining inventory records; understanding financial reports; office finances and ethics.

Office Management
Office planning and layout; selecting office staff; supervising employees; motivating employees; evaluating employee performance; Effective teams in the office; legal issues in office management.

Graduation Set
(Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.)

• Handbook for Office Professionals
• NALS® Accredited Legal Secretary® Certification Examination Study Guide
• Legal Secretary Procedures Texts

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.

Microsoft is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

NALS and National Association of Legal Secretaries are trademarks registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.