Legal Administrative Assistant - Office Technology

Associate in Applied Science

Credits: 100-102 | Length of Program: 6 quarters

Subject: Office Technology and Administration

Office Technology and Administration - Legal Administrative Assistant - Associate in Applied Science

The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Legal Administrative Assistant is designed for persons interested in working in a legal office in an administrative support position in the private or public sector. The program equips the student with a variety of skills used in large or small offices through the study of keyboarding, formatting, communications, human relations, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other related courses.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates may work in private law firms or with state, county, or other municipal agencies. Typical duties may include formatting documents and pleadings, composing business correspondence, preparing recording and filing legal documents, and performing receptionist functions. Technical skills and the ability to adapt to new situations will be important to career advancement. See Business, Finance & Office Administration » Office Technology and Administration for more career and employment information.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the Office Administrative Program, the successful student will be able to:

Apply critical thinking, professional practices, and efficient techniques to complete job tasks
Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, supervisor, and coworkers
Evaluate a workplace problem and apply appropriate strategies and valid reasoning to process quantitative and symbolic data
Identify and adjust to workplace differences in order to operate collaboratively and effectively
Recognize ethical dilemmas in the workplace and evaluate the consequences

In addition, students who complete the program will demonstrate the following skills standards:

Demonstrate the ability to maintain proficiency with evolving technologies

Ed Plan / Class List

Required Courses

CCS101 Pathways to Success 3 Credits Search Schedule

Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 090 or higher.

OFTEC111 Keyboarding 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the alphabetic, numeric, and symbol keys by touch. Focuses on wellness and ergonomic issues while developing keyboarding skills. Students can test out of this class by demonstrating proficiency on a placement test. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC112 Skill Building 2 Credits Search Schedule

Continues development of keyboarding skills with an emphasis on ergonomically correct technique. Students can test out of this class by demonstrating proficiency on a placement test. Prerequisite: OFTEC 111.

OFTEC113 Speed and Accuracy Development 2 Credits Search Schedule

Continues skill building based on customized drills and exercises designed to help students improve keyboarding speed and accuracy. Students can test out of this class by demonstrating proficiency on a placement test. Prerequisite: OFTEC 112.

OFTEC100 Introduction to Computer Concepts & Applications 5 Credits Search Schedule

Designed for the novice computer user. Students will receive integrated computer instruction on word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics software as well as the use of the Internet and web-based tools to achieve basic skills and knowledge in using a computer. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

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OFTEC108 Introduction to Microsoft Office 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the software components of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC125 Digital Productivity Tools 4 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces web-based tools used for office productivity and workflow management. Includes personal information systems and file sharing. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC136 Microsoft Word I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Prepares students to use the features of Microsoft Word software to create a variety of documents for business or personal use. The ability to type at least 25 words per minute (wpm) is recommended. Prerequisite: OFTEC 100 or OFTEC 108.

OFTEC138 PowerPoint 2 Credits Search Schedule

Focuses on using PowerPoint presentation software to build effective presentations that communicate key information to audiences in business, academic, and organization settings. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC141 Excel 5 Credits Search Schedule

An introduction to Excel for worksheet applications. Creating simple worksheets using numbers, dates, text, formulas, desktop features, formatting, charting, printing, and file handling. Techniques include copying, moving, relative, and absolutes cell references, using functions in formulas, file linking, multiple windows, and range naming. More advanced topics such as database and macros will also be introduced. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 100 and MATH 092.

OFTEC150 Formatting I 4 Credits Search Schedule

Basic formatting techniques in keyboarding skill development using a personal computer with word processing software. Provides an introduction to business letters, memorandums, tables, and reports. The ability to type 30 words per minute (wpm) by touch is recommended. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 136.

OFTEC160 Business English 5 Credits Search Schedule

Examines language arts skills applied to proper business writing. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101.

OFTEC236 Word Processing II 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops skills in advanced word processing features with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving as they apply to complex word processing projects. Students develop mastery-level competencies in Microsoft Word. Prerequisite: OFTEC 136.

OFTEC260 Business Communication 5 Credits Search Schedule

Explores the principles of effective communication in business emphasizing the human relations factor, through correspondence, report writing, and an oral presentation. OFTEC 160 recommended. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a "C" or better.

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ENGL&235 Technical Writing 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces technical writing skills necessary to communicate effectively in the workplace. Emphasizes written documents, successful teamwork strategies, and ethical considerations in workplace communication. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION

OFTEC255 Records and Information Management 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces principles and procedures for records management including storage, retrieval, and control of records. Study of privacy, ethics, and security as they relate to RIM (Records and Information Management). Prerequisite: OFTEC 236 or instructor's permission.

OFTEC265 Integrated Office Projects 5 Credits Search Schedule

Business simulation including the application and knowledge of word processing, Outlook, spreadsheets, database, PowerPoint, and internet to integrate documents in projects using critical thinking, planning, scheduling, organization skills, and group interaction. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108, OFTEC 141, OFTEC 150 and OFTEC 236.

LEGL112 Law Office Procedures 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces legal terminology, ethics, and law office procedures in regards to traditional, corporate and government law offices. This course was formerly known as LEGL 101. Prerequisite: None.

BUS&201 Business Law 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the American legal system from the business perspective. Examines system structure, concepts, procedures, terminology, and ethics with an emphasis on principles and procedures applicable in the context of business. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101.

LEGL121 Civil Procedure 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces federal and state court Rules of Civil Procedure. This course was formerly known as LEGL 152. Prerequisite: None.

LEGL132 Legal Terms and Writing 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces legal terminology, proofreading, and basic legal writing techniques for the preparation of legal documents. This course was formerly known as LEGL 107. ENGL& 101 is recommended. Prerequisite: POLS& 200 and LEGL 122 or instructor's permission.

POLS&200 Introduction to Law: Diversity 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces an overview of the American legal system and how our legal system has shaped modern society. This course was formerly known as LEGL 151. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101 or instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA-AAS-T-SOCIAL SCIENCE, DIVERSITY

LEGL221 Technology in the Law Office 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces law office technology. Students will gain experience retrieving, organizing, and maintaining documents; docketing and tickling, methods to ensure timeliness of pleadings and other actions; use of database and full-text retrieval systems; and time-keeping for proper billing of clients. This course was formerly known as LEGL 153. Prerequisite: POLS& 200 and LEGL 112 or instructor's permission.

OFTEC190 Cooperative Work Experience/Internships Search Schedule

Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op) is an academic internship program that integrates a student?s classroom study with planned supervised learning in positions related to the student?s program of study or area of interest. Students are awarded credit and a grade not for the work itself, but for the demonstration of learning which occurs in and throughout the work experience.

General Education Requirements

Communication

ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops writing skills by focusing on strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas, evaluate information, make a point, and participate in multiple discourse communities. Emphasizes both the process and the product of writing. This course was formerly known as WRIT 101, College Writing I. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test scores OR appropriate completion of ENGL 095, ENGL 095X, or ENGL 098 OR concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110 with instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING

Computation

BUS104 Business Math 5 Credits Search Schedule

Emphasizes solving practical problems in business, including percentages, payroll, simple and compound interest, annuities, discounts, and markups using a calculator. Prerequisite: MATH 092.
Distribution: AAS, AAS-COMPUTATION

Human Relations

5 Credits in HUMAN RELATIONS

Diversity Requirement
Diversity-designated courses at South Puget Sound Community College provide opportunities for students to develop awareness of their own social and cultural identities, seek understanding of others, and cultivate skills to communicate across cultures and differences. All programs require the completion of a diversity course.

Effective Catalog Year 2019-2020

Length of Program

The Office Technology and Administration – Legal Administrative Assistant Program takes a minimum of six quarters of full-time studies for the Associate in Applied Science degree.

Application Process / How to Apply

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Additional Information

Special Program Note: Students who can keyboard by touch may be eligible to bypass keyboarding class and still receive credit through the college’s advanced standing process. See a faculty advisor to discuss this option.

Revision Date:

February 19, 2019