Legal Administrative Assistant

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

The program is designed to prepare a student to work in the legal office environment.  Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to prepare preliminary legal documents, compose routine correspondence, take dictation, transcribe dictated material, schedule appointments, bill clients, prepare for and conduct meetings, and demonstrate decision-making skills.  This person will serve as a valuable assistant to the employer.

Hattie Adkinson                  618 634-3238

hattiea@shawneecc.edu

Phyllis Sander, Chairperson   618 634-3334

phylliss@shawneecc.edu

 

Courses                                                     Credit Hours

FIRST YEAR

BUS 214 Business Law I                                   3

COM 111 Business Computer Systems             4

ENG 111 English Composition                          3

or ENG 124 Technical Communication        3

IMS 115 Proofreading                                      1

IMS 120 Records/Information Management      3

IMS 122 Document Formatting                         3

SEM 111 College Orientation                            1

INT 111 Career Development                            1

First Semester Total Hours                              19

 

ENG 112 English Composition                             3

or ENG 221 Technical Communication II        3

IMS 117 Telephone Communication                     1

IMS 223 Document Production                            3

IMS 227 Office Information Processing I              3

MAT 110 General Education Mathematics           4

or MAT 121 Technical Mathematics               3

SPC 111 Speech                                                 3

or SPC 210 Interpersonal Communication      3

Second Semester Total Hours                          17/16

 

SECOND YEAR

ACC 111 Financial Accounting                             4

BUS 124 Bookkeeping                                   3

COM 168 Introduction to Desktop                       1

IMS 123 Speedwriting                                          3

IMS 125 Business Machines                                 3

IMS 127 Voice Dictation                                      1

IMS 128 Machine Transcription                            3

IMS 236 Office Information Processing II             3

First Semester Total Hours                               18/17

 

BUS 125 Business Environment Procedures          2

BUS 215 Legal & Social Environment of Business          3

COM 281 Microsoft Excel                                   2

IMS 229 Legal Administrative Procedures            4

PSY 211 Intro to Psychology                               3

or PSY 224 Practical Psychology                    3

IMS 193 Legal Administrative Assistant Internship          2

Second Semester Total Hours                            16

 

 

IMS 115 Proofreading

Provides the instruction and practice needed to improve the student’s proofreading and editing skills. 

 

IMS 117 Telephone Communication

Dual focus on technology and personal communications skills.  Designed to benefit everyone who comes in contact with customers/clients/associates on the telephone. 

 

IMS 120 Records/Information Management

Topics include records inventory procedures, records classification systems, active and inactive records control procedures, forms analysis and control, archives management, and records center management.

 

IMS 122 Document Formatting

Emphasis on straight copy as well as timed production work such as letters, tables, memos, forms, and reports. 

 

 

IMS 123 Speedwriting

A complete course in Speedwriting theory.  Brief forms, phrasing and vocabulary building are emphasized as a means of building speed for keyboard transcription. 

 

IMS 125 Business Machines

The use of the electronic calculator through the solving of business math calculations.  The laptop, the FAX machine, telephone systems, and dictation units are utilized. 

 

 

IMS 127 Voice Dictation

Using voice recognition software and the micro-computer, the student will be able to compose e-mail messages, create reports, draft letters, edit proposals, and more just by speaking. 

 

 

IMS 128 Machine Transcription

Computer transcription of pre-recorded data from transcription machine into mailable document form.  Student composition, dictation, and proofreading are incorporated activities. 

 

 

IMS 193 Legal Administrative Assistant Internship

Provides employment experience utilizing specialized skills of students.  Each student is required to complete 150 contact hours. 

 

IMS 223 Document Production

Emphasis on speed development and timed production work.  Government, medical, technical, financial, and legal mini-simulations are included. 

 

IMS 227 Office Information Processing I

Introduces concepts, vocabulary, hardware, software, and career information which directly relates to Information Processing. 

 

 

IMS 229 Legal Administrative Procedures

This course reinforces the use of legal documents and legal terms.  The vocabulary of the legal environment is stressed through spelling, legal abbreviations, symbols, and usage. 

 

IMS 236 Office Information Processing II

Emphasis on advanced features of software application packages and the introduction of additional information processing software packages.  Course includes simulations.