Legal Secretary
Become a Legal Secretary with at-home training from Penn Foster Workforce Development.
Penn Foster graduates can sit for ALS Certification exam.
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Instruction Set 1
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
The Legal Secretary
Introduction to the field; the secretary’s role in the workplace; necessary skills and abilities.
Instruction Set 2
Your Professional Image
Dressing professionally; building a support network; developing skills and a career portfolio.
Written Communication 1
Parts of speech; common grammatical errors; punctuation; capitalization.
Instruction Set 3
Written Communication 2
Qualities of effective correspondence; types of business correspondence; letter styles.
Written Communication 3
Writing and speaking vocabularies; common spelling errors; using a thesaurus.
Supplement: Winning with Words
Learning Aid: Dictionary
Instruction Set 4
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Handling problems; relating to your supervisor; improving your reading skills.
Time and Stress Management
Setting up a time-management program; handling work overload; effective stress-management strategies.
Supplement: Improve Your Communication Skills
Online Audio: Voice & Diction
Instruction Set 5
Administrative Office Procedures, Part 1
Communicating with your supervisor and co-workers; being professional; telephone communications.
Administrative Office Procedures, Part 2
Processing of mail, postal regulations, email security, time management.
Meeting and Travel Planning
Assessing your company’s travel needs; planning a meeting.
Instruction Set 6
Technologies in the Office
LAN and WAN; wireless transmissions and image systems; cellular phones, pagers, and videophones.
Filing Techniques
Alphabetical and numerical filing systems; confidential files; financial files; filing equipment.
Records Management
Updating records systems; controlling stored records; electronic records management.
Instruction Set 7
Resources and Reference
Policy manuals, procedure manuals, and job description manuals; emergency procedures; using the Internet.
Math for Office Professionals
Whole numbers; fractions; decimals; percents and percentages; calculating income; gross pay versus net pay.
Supplement: The Notary Public
Instruction Set 8
PC Basics
Personal computer basics; hardware devices and peripherals; types of software.
Keyboarding
Alphabetic and numeric keys; keying techniques; basic keyboarding skills; improving speed and accuracy.
Textbook: South-Western Keyboarding and Formatting
Supplement: Troubleshooting Your PC
Software:
• Keyboarding Pro
• Microsoft®
Instruction Set 9
Advanced Word Processing
Formatting common business documents; basic and advanced word processing functions.
Internet Basics
Features of the Web; navigating the Web; accessing and sending email; basic research tools and search engines.
Textbook: Advanced Word Processing
Membership: Student Membership in NALS...the Association for Legal Professionals
Instruction Set 10
Integrated Applications
Applying effective design principles and desktop publishing techniques; creating spreadsheets.
Textbook: South-Western Integrated Applications
Instruction Set 11
Legal Terminology, Part 1
Legal terms presented in context, including terminology used in criminal law, contracts, wills and estates, family law, and business organization.
Ethics, Professionalism, 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.
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.
CD: Legal Terminology
Learning Aid: Law Dictionary/Thesaurus
Instruction Set 12
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 13
Office Finances
Accounting and business concepts; income; expenses; the computer and office finances.
Office Management, Part 1
Various roles of management, motivation and performance appraisal of employees, correct termination procedures.
Office Management, Part 2
Organizing teams and meetings, collaborative writing, ergonomics and OSHA, telecommuting and temporary employees.
Work Experience Option
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
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
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.
ResumeMaker is a trademark of Individual Software registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
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