Office Administration / Legal

Legal is a concentration under the curriculum title of Office Administration. This curriculum prepares individuals for entry-level positions in legal or government-related offices and provides professional development for the currently employed.

Course work includes terminology, operational procedures, preparation and transcription of documents, computer software, and court-related functions as they relate to the legal office profession. Emphasis is placed on the development of accuracy, organizational skills, discretion, and professionalism.

print Office Administration/Legal • Semester by Semester

Course
Number
Course
Title
contact
hours
Credit
hours
ACA-111 College Student Success 1 1
ACA-111   College Student Success PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.

Register for this class
OST-131 Keyboarding 3 2
OST-131   Keyboarding PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course covers basic keyboarding skills. Emphasis is placed on the touch system, correct techniques, and development of speed and accuracy. Upon completion, students should be able to key at an acceptable speed and accuracy level using the touch system.

Register for this class
OST-136 Word Processing 4 3
OST-136   Word Processing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to introduce word processing concepts and applications. Topics include preparation of a variety of documents and mastery of specialized software functions. Upon completion, students should be able to work effectively in a computerized word processing environment.

Register for this class
OST-137 Office Applications I 4 3
OST-137   Office Applications I PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces the concepts and functions of software that meets the changing needs of the community. Emphasis is placed on the terminology and use of software through a hands-on approach. Upon completion, students should be able to use software in a business environment.

Register for this class
OST-155 Legal Terminology 3 3
OST-155   Legal Terminology PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course covers the terminology appropriate to the legal profession. Topics include legal research, court systems, litigation, civil and criminal law, probate, real and personal property, contracts and leases, domestic relations, equity, and corporations. Upon completion, students should be able to spell, pronounce, define, and accurately use legal terms.

Register for this class
Math/Science Elective - 3
Semester Total 15 15
Course
Number
Course
Title
contact
hours
Credit
hours
OST-132 Keyboard Skill Building 3 2
OST-132   Keyboard Skill Building PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • Take OST 131

This course is designed to increase speed and improve accuracy in keyboarding. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic tests to identify accuracy and speed deficiencies followed by corrective drills. Upon completion, students should be able to keyboard rhythmically with greater accuracy and speed.

Register for this class
OST-138 Office Applications II 4 3
OST-138   Office Applications II PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to improve the proficiency in the utilization of software applications used in business offices through a hands-on approach. Emphasis is placed on in-depth usage of software to create a variety of documents applicable to current business environments. Upon completion, students should be able to master the skills required to design documents that can be customized using the latest software applications.

Register for this class
OST-164 Office Editing 3 3
OST-164   Office Editing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course provides a comprehensive study of editing skills needed in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, proofreading, and editing. Upon completion, students should be able to use reference materials to compose and edit text.

Register for this class
OST-236 Advanced Word Processing 4 3
OST-236   Advanced Word Processing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course develops proficiency in the utilization of advanced word processing functions. Emphasis is placed on advanced word processing features. Upon completion, students should be able to produce a variety of complex business documents.

Register for this class
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 3
Semester Total 17 14
Course
Number
Course
Title
contact
hours
Credit
hours
OST-134 Text Entry & Formatting 4 3
OST-134   Text Entry & Formatting PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • OST 131 or appropriate placement score

This course is designed to provide skills needed to increase speed, improve accuracy, and format documents. Topics include letters, memos, tables, and business reports. Upon completion, students should be able to produce documents and key timed writings at speeds commensurate with employability.

Register for this class
OST-165 Advanced Office Editing 4 3
OST-165   Advanced Office Editing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to develop proficiency in advanced editing skills needed in the office environment. Emphasis is placed on the application of creating effective electronic office documents. Upon completion, students should be able to apply advanced editing skills to compose text.

Register for this class
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 3
Semester Total 11 9
Course
Number
Course
Title
contact
hours
Credit
hours
BUS-115 Business Law I 3 3
BUS-115   Business Law I PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces the student to the legal and ethical framework of business. Contracts, negotiable instruments, the law of sales, torts, crimes, constitutional law, the Uniform Commercial Code, and the court systems are examined. Upon completion the student should be able to identify legal and ethical issues that arise in business decisions and the laws that apply to them.

Register for this class
OST-135 Advanced Text Entry and Formatting 4 3
OST-135   Advanced Text Entry and Formatting PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to incorporate computer application skills in the generation of office documents. Emphasis is placed on advanced document production with increased speed and accuracy. Upon completion, students should be able to make independent decisions regarding planning, style, and method of presentation.

Register for this class
OST-153 Office Finance Solutions 4 3
OST-153   Office Finance Solutions PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces basic bookkeeping concepts. Topics include entering data in accounts payable and receivable, keeping petty cash records, maintaining inventory, reconciling bank statements, running payroll, and generating simple financial reports. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in the entry and manipulation of data to provide financial solutions for the office.

Register for this class
OST-156 Legal Office Procedures 4 3
OST-156   Legal Office Procedures PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • Take OST 134

This course covers legal office functions involved in the operation of a law office. Emphasis is placed on procedures in the law office involving the court system, legal research, litigation, probate, and real estate, personal injury, criminal, and civil law. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in performing legal office duties.

Register for this class
OST-181 Office Procedures 4 3
OST-181   Office Procedures PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces the skills and procedures needed in today's office. Topics include effectively interacting with co-workers and the public, processing simple financial and informational documents, and performing functions typical of today's offices. Upon completion, students should be able to display skills and decision-making abilities essential for functioning in the total office context.

Register for this class
OST-184 Records Management 4 3
OST-184   Records Management PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course includes the creation, maintenance, protection, security, and disposition of records stored in a variety of media forms. Topics include alphabetic, geographic, subject, and numeric filing methods. Upon completion, students should be able to set up and maintain a records management system.

Register for this class
Semester Total 23 18
Course
Number
Course
Title
contact
hours
Credit
hours
Choose one from the following:
ENG-115 Oral Communication 3 3
ENG-115   Oral Communication PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • Take DRE-096

This course introduces the basic principles of oral communication in both small group and public settings. Emphasis is placed on the components of the communication process, group decision-making, and public address. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the principles of effective oral communication in small group and public settings.

Register for this class
-OR-
COM-231 Public Speaking 3 3
COM-231   Public Speaking PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • RED-070 or DRE-096

This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support.

Register for this class
-AND-
OST-252 Legal Transcription I 4 3
OST-252   Legal Transcription I PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • OST 134 or OST 136, and OST 155 and OST 164 Take 1 group; # Take OST-164 OST-134(S22142); # Take OST-164 OST-136(S22144);

This course provides experience in transcribing legal correspondence, forms, and documents. Emphasis is placed on developing listening skills to transcribe documents. Upon completion, students should be able to transcribe documents with accuracy.

Register for this class
OST-286 Professional Development 3 3
OST-286   Professional Development PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course covers the personal competencies and qualities needed to project a professional image in the office. Topics include interpersonal skills, health lifestyles, appearance, attitude, personal and professional growth, multicultural awareness, and professional etiquette. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate these attributes in the classroom, office, and society.

Register for this class
Major Elective - 3
Social/Behavioral Science Elective - 3
Semester Total 13 18
TOTAL CREDITS 74

printWord Processing Certificate

Course and Hour Requirements
Course
Number
Course
TITLE
contact
hours
Credit
hours
OST-134 Text Entry & Formatting 4 3
OST-134   Text Entry & Formatting PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • OST 131 or appropriate placement score

This course is designed to provide skills needed to increase speed, improve accuracy, and format documents. Topics include letters, memos, tables, and business reports. Upon completion, students should be able to produce documents and key timed writings at speeds commensurate with employability.

Register for this class
OST-135 Advanced Text Entry and Formatting 4 3
OST-135   Advanced Text Entry and Formatting PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to incorporate computer application skills in the generation of office documents. Emphasis is placed on advanced document production with increased speed and accuracy. Upon completion, students should be able to make independent decisions regarding planning, style, and method of presentation.

Register for this class
OST-136 Word Processing 4 3
OST-136   Word Processing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course is designed to introduce word processing concepts and applications. Topics include preparation of a variety of documents and mastery of specialized software functions. Upon completion, students should be able to work effectively in a computerized word processing environment.

Register for this class
OST-137 Office Applications I 4 3
OST-137   Office Applications I PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course introduces the concepts and functions of software that meets the changing needs of the community. Emphasis is placed on the terminology and use of software through a hands-on approach. Upon completion, students should be able to use software in a business environment.

Register for this class
OST-236 Advanced Word Processing 4 3
OST-236   Advanced Word Processing PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course develops proficiency in the utilization of advanced word processing functions. Emphasis is placed on advanced word processing features. Upon completion, students should be able to produce a variety of complex business documents.

Register for this class
OTHER REQUIREMENTS (2 Semester Hours Required)
OST-131 Keyboarding 3 2
OST-131   Keyboarding PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONE

This course covers basic keyboarding skills. Emphasis is placed on the touch system, correct techniques, and development of speed and accuracy. Upon completion, students should be able to key at an acceptable speed and accuracy level using the touch system.

Register for this class
Semester Total 23 17

Graduates should qualify for employment in corporate legal departments; private practices, including real estate and estate planning; and city, state and federal government offices. With appropriate work experience, graduates may apply for certification as a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS).