Legal assisting
Gain job‑ready skills, industry‑recognized certification eligibility and a fast track to an in‑demand legal career.
Program at a glance
DEGREE TYPE
Associate of Applied Business
PROGRAM FORMAT
In person*
LENGTH (FULL TIME)
4-semester degree
2-semester certificate
CAREER COMMUNITY
Administrative services, legal assisting and court reporting
*Please note: Many Stark State classes have online and in-person options.
Program overview
Prepare to step in to assist attorneys in the performance of their professional duties with a degree in legal assisting.
Legal administrative assistants are increasingly relied upon by private law firms, offices of public defenders, court systems, government agencies, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, banks, real estate agencies, community service agencies and programs, consumer organizations and health care facilities.
Program details
Stark State’s legal assisting associate degree program focuses on Microsoft Office software along with legal research and writing, legal office procedures, legal office applications, legal transcription, legal terminology and a 105-hour practicum (internship). You’ll learn how to draft legal documents, conduct research, interview clients and more.
When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to take certification exams to become an Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).
We also offer a one-year legal assisting certificate. You can apply credits earned in this program to the associate degree and will be awarded a certificate in legal assisting when you complete the program.
Start with Stark State’s low tuition and industry-experienced professors. Then get to a bachelor’s degree by transferring your associate degree to our university partner, Franklin University.
Consider starting with a legal assisting certificate, taking classes that directly apply to the associate degree in legal assisting.
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. www.acbsp.org
Careers and outcomes
When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and more.
Your job opportunities may include (among others):
- Administrative assistant
- Legal assistant
- Legal researcher
FAQs
The terms “legal assistant” and “paralegal” are often used interchangeably. Both refer to professionals who assist attorneys in legal work but are not licensed to practice law.
However, the legal assisting program at Stark State focuses on office procedures, legal computer software, legal research, transcription, and helping attorneys with legal and office documents.
You will learn how to draft legal documents, conduct research, interview clients, organize case files, manage deadlines, demonstrate office professionalism, and understand court procedures and filing requirements.
You’re eligible for employment in a variety of professional settings, including courthouses, law firms, corporate legal departments, non-profit organizations, real estate agencies, banks and financial institutions, title companies, legal aid clinics and private attorney offices.
Certification is not a requirement, but it can improve your employment prospects. Entry-level certifications include the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) from National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS). Industry-recognized certificates do offer significant advantages for students and new graduates, such as higher pay wages and validation of skills.
The legal assisting program offers a variety of face-to-face, day, evening, fully online and hybrid (Zoom) classes. However, the technical courses do require attendance on the main campus.
As part of the associate degree program, you must complete a 105-hour practicum, typically in your last semester. The practicum provides a hands-on, supervised work experience where you get to apply your classroom knowledge in a real-world professional, legal setting. The one-year certificate does not include a practicum.
Your courses will include Microsoft Office software along with legal research and writing, legal office procedures, legal office applications, legal transcription, legal terminology and a 105-hour practicum (internship). There’s not a practicum for the one-year certificate.
Related programs
Looking for more career options? Check out these other programs.
Lowest tuition around
Put your money toward your goals – not debt.
Stark State’s tuition costs up to 83% less than other area colleges and universities. Along with financial aid and scholarship opportunities, you gain the most value for your education without sacrificing quality.
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Rene Eneix, MA, CRI
Department Chair, Administrative Services and Office Applications
330-494-6170 ext. 4876
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Whether you’re just starting out, making your college comeback or looking for a change, you belong at Stark State.