Associate in Applied Science Degree
The Legal Secretary program is designed to provide students with the competencies necessary to obtain employment as legal secretaries or legal word processing specialists. Graduates are prepared to work for a private law firm, legal department of a corporation, insurance company, bank, deed and title company, or for a government agency–local, state, or federal. College credit may be granted through Tech Prep articulation agreements between RACC and approved secondary schools.
Required Program of Study
| Course Number | Semester | Course Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS105 | Fall | Business English | 3 | |
| ENV130 | The Environment | 3 | ||
| OFT110 | Keyboarding I | 3 | ||
| ORI102 | College Success Strategies | 2 | ||
| COM121 | English Composition | 3 | ||
| IFT110 | Microcomputer Applications | 3 | ||
| BUS110 | Spring | Business Mathematics | 3 | |
| OFT111 | Keyboarding II | 3 | ||
| OFT120 | Machine Dictation and Transcription | 3 | ||
| BUS106 | Business Communications | 3 | ||
| MGT215 | Human Relations in Business | 3 | ||
| OFT212 | Fall | Office Procedures | 3 | |
| OFT213 | Word Processing I | 3 | ||
| HUM/ART | Humanities or Art Elective | 3 | ||
| OFT210 | Speedwriting I | 3 | ||
| OFT230 | Legal Terminology and Transcription | 3 | ||
| SOC125 | The Individual and Society | 3 | ||
| OR SOC130 | Sociology | |||
| OR PSY130 | General Psychology | |||
| OFT211 | Spring | Speedwriting II | 3 | |
| OFT231 | Advanced Legal Transcription | 3 | ||
| OFT290 | Cooperative Education I | 3 | ||
| OFT214 | Word Processing II | 3 | ||
| BUS230 | Business Law | 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Program | 65 | |||
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills in writing and speaking in a business environment.
- Apply math operations to solve fundamental business problems.
- Utilize legal terminology, rules and procedures to recognize legal implications of business transactions and occurrences.
- Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding of business letters, memos, reports, and tables at a high level of speed and accuracy.
- Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in applying correct grammar, usage, and style when transcribing legal documents from dictated audio tapes.
- Apply basic language skills associated with the parts of speech, sentence formations, numerical expression, capitalization, punctuation, and word division rules to business correspondence.
- Transcribe from various kinds of original communication, such as handwritten copy, printed copy, and voice-recorded dictation.
- Proofread and edit typed/keyed copy, including transcription of machine dictation, with a high degree of accuracy and correctness.
- Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and Internet skills to complete office tasks.
- Apply principles of supervision and management in order to obtain maximum productivity from computerized systems in both traditional and automated offices, with appropriate emphasis on people, procedures, and equipment.
- Work independently, with others, or in self-directed work teams to demonstrate effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills, attitudes, and work habits that contribute to organizational goals.
- Use appropriate office procedures in the areas of records information management, calculator, telephone communications, incoming and outgoing mail, meetings and conferences, travel arrangements, and simulated projects.
- Demonstrate speed writing skills to take notes from oral dictation and produce mailable copy.
- Recognize the changing nature of technology and adapt to new equipment and procedures while retaining the most appropriate traditional office practices.
- Create integrated documents, worksheets, databases, and presentations suitable for coursework, professional purposes, and personal use using personal productivity software.
Please note: These programs can be pursued on a part-time basis.
Appropriate placement test scores, or the completion of certain developmental courses, are required for all programs of study. Additional prerequisites may be necessary for some courses and can be found in the course descriptions section of the catalog.
It is recommended that students confer with their advisor when selecting electives.
