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Online Legal Secretary Certificate

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Program at a Glance

  • Purdue Global is the largest provider of legal support services 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.
How Do I Get Started?

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

Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
8 months
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
31
(21 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371

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

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View University Catalog

Ways to Save

  • Transfer Credits

    Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

    Save Time and Money on Your Degree

  • Prior Work Experience

    You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

    Your Experience Counts

  • Financial Aid

    Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.

    Financial Aid FAQ

  • Corporate Partner Benefits

    Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

    Employee Savings and Benefits

  • Prior Military Experience

    We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

    Credit for Military Training

  • International Tuition Reduction

    International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.

    International Tuition and Benefits

Program Cost Estimator

Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.

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What Courses Will I Take?

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.

See All Legal Secretary Courses
Sample Courses
  • Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession
  • Legal Terminology and Transcription
  • Introduction to Legal Technology
  • Law Office Management

Program Requirements

  • Major Credits
    31
  • Total Credits
    31
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 (2018–2030) 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.

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
grad hat icon 98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 50% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 237 Faculty publications in 2020–2021
student at desk icon More Than 36,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2020–2021

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, September 2021. 2020–2021 academic year.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2018–2019 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Legal Support Services, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other Title IV institutions.

†Future Programs: 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.