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Office Administration - Legal

Office Administration - Legal

Program Code: LESCampus: Newnham
Duration: 3 Semesters AcceleratedStart Dates: Fall
Start dates are subject to change
Credential Awarded: Ontario College Diploma

Program Description

This program provides you with relevant administrative and high-level technological skills to meet the demands of the current and emerging legal office environment.

As a student in the program, you will master in three semesters, the skills and knowledge traditionally offered in a four-semester program. Each semester consists of two sevenweek modules, for a total of three semesters (six modules), which are delivered over twelve consecutive months. The first three modules are common to all three Office Administration diploma programs: EXS; LES and MES. You'll acquire a solid foundation of business office procedures and intermediate-level computer skills. In addition, you may change specialization without interrupting your progress.

The final two semesters specialize in Legal Office Administration with advanced-level technological skills. Areas of concentration include litigation, family, corporate, real estate and estate law. Workplace simulations assist you in transferring the learned skills and knowledge to the work environment. Computer skills and business office practices are also readily transferable to other academic and career paths.

Finally, you’ll complete your program and access the job market at non-traditional times.

Program Learning Outcomes:

This Seneca College program meets the system-wide standards as set by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:

  • Apply scheduling, task coordination, and organizational skills to facilitate the completion of tasks and to meet deadlines in the legal environment.
  • Establish and maintain data management systems to ensure organized electronic and paper records for the legal environment.
  • Coordinate the organizing, processing, and responding to electronic and paper communications to facilitate the flow of information in the legal environment.
  • Produce accurate financial records for the legal environment within a specified time frame by compiling information and using appropriate software.
  • Produce accurate legal correspondence by a specified deadline using available computer technology as well as applying recording, editing, and language skills.
  • Use effective interpersonal skills in the legal environment to assist the completion of individual and team tasks, to ensure effective customer service, and to promote the image of the organization.
  • Troubleshoot and show initiative in the creation and production of accurate documentation for civil, corporate, real estate, family, and wills and estates law by a specified deadline using computer technology.
  • Provide technical support and training related to computer software to others in the legal environment as required.
  • Use the Internet and its tools in a legal environment to enhance communication and business opportunities.
  • Demonstrate administrative skills to enhance the effective operation of the workplace.

Essential Employability Skills:

Graduates of this program are also expected to demonstrate the essential employability skills learning outcomes as outlined on the Ministry of Training, College and Universities website.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
  • Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)

Applicant Selection:

  • Students are required to be highly literate in the English language and to have good writing skills in order to be successful in the Office Administration – Legal program.
  • Applicant grades in pre-requisite English subjects (or their equivalents) will be used as a basis for selection of candidates.

Desirable:

  • Although not currently required for admission, Grade 12 Mathematics (MCT4C or MAP4C) is strongly recommended.

The Importance of Learning Skills:
Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills. Seminars, workshops and tutoring are available at Seneca's Learning Centres.

Your Career

In just twelve months you could be ready to launch your career as a legal secretary, legal administrative assistant or receptionist in a wide range of law office environments. Major employers include small to large law firms and government and corporate legal departments.

General Education

One of the general education subjects must be a literature subject for which EAC150 is the pre-requisite.

Diploma to Degree ...and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s):

Canada

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Athabasca University• Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies

Curriculum

Semester 1 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
BMA101 * or
BMA102
Business Math Applications
Mathematics of Personal Finance
3
BMA102 Mathematics of Personal Finance 3
BCM111 Business Communications 4
DPW111 Introduction to Document Production 7
EAC150 College English 3
ICP111 Intro. to Computers and Presentation Software 3
OPR111 Office Procedures 4
 
Semester 2 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
DMS311 Data Management Software 4
LCT501 Law and the Citizen 2
LDP311 Introduction to Legal Document Production 5
LPC311 Legal Procedures Corporate 4
LPI311 Introduction to Legal Procedures 3
 
Semester 3 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
CLJ501 Composition and Research 3
LFP501 Legal Field Placement 1
LPE511 Legal Procedures Wills and Estates 4
LPL511 Legal Procedures Litigation 5
LPR511 Legal Procedures Real Estate 5
LTR511 Legal Transcription 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3

* Tests to assess students’ mathematics skills will be administered, and based on test scores, students will take either BMA101 or BMA102.

Contact Us

For the most up-to-date curriculum information, refer to our web page at: http://www.senecacollege.ca/slpa.
Program Coordinator: Barbara Paterson
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 26478
Email: Barbara.Paterson@senecacollege.ca
Program Chair: Wanda Forsythe
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22745
Email: Wanda.Forsythe@senecacollege.ca
Admissions Advisors:
Domestic Admissions Advisor: Sean McDonnell
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22805
Email: Sean.McDonnell@senecacollege.ca
International Admissions Advisor: Susan Gao
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 223656
Email: Susan.Gao@senecacollege.ca
Registration & Records Advisor: Tammy Leonard
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 22584
Email: Tammy.Leonard@senecacollege.ca

Video

Select Bakery

Melissa, a Seneca College Office Administration student, talks about her program and how it's preparing her for a new career. Video