Online Legal Secretary Certificate

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Program at a Glance
  • Purdue Global is one of the largest providers of legal studies programs in the U.S.*
  • Learn how to communicate effectively in a legal environment, conduct legal research, analyze concepts of law, produce written legal correspondence, and evaluate legal sources.
  • Explore the role of the paralegal in the civil litigation process and develop the skills for effective legal writing, document processing, and use of software applications.
COURSE EFFORT 15–18 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 31
COST PER CREDIT $371
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

July 31
August 21
September 18
October 16

Legal Secretary Certificate Overview

Law firms rely on legal secretaries and assistants to handle day-to-day operations, such as preparing legal summonses, motions, and subpoenas, so that lawyers and paralegals can focus on preparing cases. Prepare to meet these needs with Purdue Global’s Legal Secretary Certificate.

The legal secretary online certificate program is designed to provide you with an introduction to legal secretarial skills. You'll learn from faculty who offer real-world expertise in legal services, law, and policy.

The curriculum focuses on helping you demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Communication: Communicate effectively in the legal environment.
  • Ethical decision making: Applying ethical decision making to paralegal practice.
  • Critical thinking: Apply critical thinking to resolve paralegal practice problems.
  • Theory and practice: Synthesize and analyze theoretical and practical concepts from a variety of legal specializations.
  • Basic skills: Produce legal forms and documents using basic secretarial skills.
  • Legal communication: Produce written legal correspondence and documentation.

Get a Head Start on Your Next Degree

By completing the online Legal Secretary Certificate, you’ll not only earn a valuable credential to make an immediate impact on your career, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for your next degree. Qualified credits can apply toward a Purdue Global associate’s or bachelor’s degree.†


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Engage With Fellow Students

When you earn your degree from Purdue Global, you join an active and diverse alumni community.


Students enrolled in the certificate program are invited to join organizations such as the Purdue Global Law Society for further networking and educational opportunities.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

How to Become a Legal Administrative Assistant

This program provides you with the specialized knowledge and skills to seek employment as a legal secretary or legal administrative assistant in a variety of settings including law firms, government agencies, health services agencies, education services agencies, and legal departments of organizations in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Reading Comprehension
  2. Writing
  3. Active Listening
  4. Speaking
  5. Time Management

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2016–2028) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Paralegals are not lawyers and cannot practice law or give legal advice. Graduates are not authorized to practice law and will not be eligible to sit for any state's bar examination. This program was not designed to meet any specific state's requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

This legal secretary online training program is designed to help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and work habits employers seek when hiring legal secretaries or legal administrative assistants.

Sample Courses
  • Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
  • Legal Terminology and Transcription
  • Introduction to Legal Technology
  • Law Office Management
See All Legal Secretary Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Major Credits31
  • Total Credits31

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Legal Studies Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

Access gainful employment information, including program length, tuition costs, and median loan debt.‡

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School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our legal studies programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2016-2017 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Legal Professions and Studies, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Kaplan University compared to other Title IV institutions. Note: these data were reported prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

†The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.

‡Purdue University acquired Kaplan University in March 2018 and created Purdue University Global, which is following the same curriculum format and instructional delivery methods as developed and used by Kaplan University. These disclosures are based on Kaplan University data reported prior to the acquisition.