Legal Secretary, Certificate of Achievement (COA)

The Legal Secretary Certificate of Achievement will prepare students to work as a legal secretary, supporting the lawyers and paralegals in a law office, corporate legal department, government agency, or other organization.

Estimates for students that will qualify to complete the Legal Secretary Certificate of Achievement

2023= 40

2024 = 50

2025 = 55

2026 = 60

This is a Career and Technical Education Certificate of Achievement program.  Students completing this program will be prepared as entry-level legal secretaries (administrative assistants) in a law office. The program at Oxnard College strives to produce competent, well-rounded legal secretaries who communicate effectively, demonstrate professional skills, and have the training and experience to assist attorneys effectively in a legal practice setting.

Students completing this Certificate of Achievement program will be prepared for the following career opportunities at the entry-level positions: legal secretary, law office receptionist, immigration assistant, legal administrative assistant, legal document assistant and law office clerk.

PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the Legal Secretary program, students will be able to:

On October 6, 2021, the Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Studies Program met and reviewed the curriculum.  The Committee recommended the creation of a low-unit Certificate of Achievement Program in Legal Secretary to achieve a two-fold purpose: 1) to expand job opportunities for students who are seeking a Paralegal Certificate of Achievement in entry-level legal services while they are continuing their studies; and 2) provide students who are interested in the legal services field an opportunity to engage in legal studies and earn a low-unit certificate that can be used towards completion of the 31-unit Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement if the student decides the field is of interest.  The Legal Secretary COA expands the professional opportunities for members of the community by preparing them with the basic skills necessary to build a career in a law office or governmental agency. The low unit COA will help students expand their skill set and begin work as a legal professional without necessitating a multi-year educational journey. Furthermore, students who obtain the COA will be able to continue their studies to earn the more advanced Paralegal Studies COA as the courses are applicable to both COA's.