Office Administration – Legal (Online)

Woman wearing professional attire shakes hands with a man in an office environment. She is holding a document folder under her arm.

Gain the skills for a vital role in a fast-paced, precision-driven law office. Through courses simulating real-world legal practices, master legal forms and processes while acquiring expertise in transcription, record keeping, accounting and office administration.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Office Administration – Legal (Online)

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Duration

Other

Start Date(s)

Ongoing

Locations

Online

Open to

Domestic Students

CIP Code

22.0301

Find your career

Prepare for a rewarding career at the heart of a legal office environment. Skilled legal office administrators play a crucial role in ensuring law offices run smoothly by:

Organizing case files, contracts and legal documents.
Managing and processing confidential legal information, including client records, court forms and case correspondence.
Supporting clear and professional communication between clients, lawyers and court officials.

Is it for you?

People who excel as legal office administrators are:

Detail-oriented and highly organized.
Interested in law and legal systems.
Strong communicators with professional interpersonal skills.
Skilled at maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
Comfortable using office technologies and learning new tools.

How you'll learn

Flexible learning that fits your life.

Learn online and at your own pace. Develop the skills you need for a rewarding career in legal office administration:

Master the forms and processes used across various areas of the legal system, including real estate, wills and estates, corporate law, litigation, small claims, family law and more.
Build expertise in accounting procedures, legal transcription, record keeping and general office administration.
Develop a strong foundation in communication and computer skills, including proficiency in Excel, Word, and other essential software tools.

Courses

ACCT8003 Accounting Basics I

This course introduces student to how accounting information is used by and meets the needs of both internal and external users through effective and efficient communication as well as what accounting information is required by a business concern to reflect clearly the operating results of the enterprise over its operating life. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to generally accepted accounting principles, the interpretation and preparation of financial statements, and how this information is recorded in the various business records.

BUSI8055 Building and Maintaining Customer Relationships

This course is intended to develop your understanding of customer service and the skills associated with understanding the needs of the customer, meeting those needs and fostering an environment that encourages customers to return. It will be of interest to anyone who works with customers, either internal or external, on a daily basis.

MATH8002 Business Math

This course provides a review of basic arithmetic and algebra as well as providing students with mathematical tools and concepts needed for other college courses and in future employment. This course is to prepare students for later courses in Marketing, Business, Financial Planning, Accounting, Purchasing and Insurance.

COMM8001 Communications

Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students develop stronger grammar and business writing skills to become effective business communicators. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practice writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

COMM8010 Communications: Grammar & Writing

In this course, students will develop their application of contemporary English grammar standards and organizational writing patterns, which together create a strong foundation for organizing and writing tasks in subsequent communications courses.

COMP8522 Computer Keyboarding Skills I

In this course students learn keyboarding techniques using various methods. Keyboarding speed and accuracy are emphasized. Proofreading and editing documents is covered. Research about repetitive stress injury (RSI) and proper ergonomics is included. The student should be able to achieve a minimum speed of 25 net words per minute (nwpm) with 5 or fewer errors with frequent practice.

ACCT8019 Computerized Accounting

This course introduces students to a multi-module accounting software program designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Students will use the software and their knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to create and maintain accounting records, including period end procedures and the creation of financial statements for sole proprietorships.

BUSI8524 Corporate Law Applied

This course focuses on applying knowledge gained in the area of corporate law to the production of forms and documentation according to the rules, regulations, and procedures in that field. Students practice managing a legal administrator’s workload by completing series of tasks to the professional standards required in a dynamic legal environment. Each activity evaluates students’ ability to solve problems using critical, analytical skills while also observing governing standards particular to the law industry.

BUSI8525 Corporate Law Procedures

This course examines the role of a legal administrator in relation to corporate law proceedings in support of the legal team. Students identify the components of forms used in each field, including, but not limited to, annual filings, articles of incorporation and corporate changes. Emphasis is placed on corporate regulation measures at the Ontario and federal levels. Students are also expected to determine the appropriate uses of client information based on techniques learned in the course and knowledge gained about the fields.

BUSI8185 Ethical Issues in Business

Organizations which are supportive of a positive ethical culture enjoy critical competitive advantages, such as a good reputation and the respect and support of their clients, employees and other stakeholders. This course is designed to assist employees in developing and understanding a framework with which to make ethical decisions. Cases will be drawn from real business situations. Research papers and case studies will be used to formulate the discussion topics.

COMP8166 Excel Core

Learn to use Microsoft Excel to create and format spreadsheets in order to analyze data and make more informed business decisions. You will discover how to create, edit, format and print workbooks; use mathematical formulas and functions; create and format charts and shapes; insert images; and how to cut, copy and paste data.

COMP8155 Introduction to Computers 1

This course will familiarize students with the digital world by exploring the hardware and software of their computer system. Graduates will be able to use the most common functions of the Windows operating system including File Explorer for file management, utility programs, various web browsers for social media while observing and identifying security and privacy concerns and issues. Graduates will be able to build properly formatted documents using Microsoft Word and spreadsheets including correctly functioning formulas using Microsoft Excel and create commanding presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint while using the cloud to store and access their files.

COMP8156 Introduction to Computers 2

This will course provide the student with more advanced and related skills in constructing spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel, developing presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and creating, maintaining and publishing a database using Microsoft Access. Students completing this course will have a well rounded knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.

Prerequisite: COMP 8155

BUSI8507 Introduction to the Legal Environment

This course introduces standards of professionalism in the legal field, helping students to identify the conduct, habits, and traits they will need to demonstrate in order to be successful in their roles as administrators. Students apply learned theory about the appropriate uses of language and communication technologies, including social media. An overview of legal office technology and related issues is also provided so that students can build their capacity to troubleshoot and ensure the office’s technological needs are met.

BUSI8516 Legal Accounting Procedures

Administrative assistants are often asked to contribute to the accounting process in small legal and business offices. Students develop an awareness of the underlying theory and principles of accounting. They acquire skills in analyzing, journalizing and posting financial transactions and in summarizing these transactions in financial statements. Students also attain proficiency in the control of cash, banking, payroll, client billing and reporting procedures. These skills are developed through a series of activities and practical tests using a variety of tools, including online tutorials and business software.

BUSI8023 Legal Office Procedures

The day-to-day operations of a legal environment follow clearly defined steps, guidelines and regulations. A successful administrator keeps these requirements in mind while approaching complex tasks. Students in this course will demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying problem-solving models to typical office tasks, while also identifying ways to integrate available office technologies into these models where appropriate. Students explore an administrator's role in producing a variety of documentation according to established protocols and procedures. This course also continues to explore the expectations surrounding professionals in the role of legal administrator, including a commitment to information privacy, personal accountability in their roles, and cultivating strong interpersonal relationships with both coworkers and clients.

BUSI8512 Legal Transcription

Accuracy is of the utmost importance in all legal communications, but it is especially crucial when reproducing information from one format into another. This course provides students with techniques that can be used to transcribe voice data and take notes in ways that ensure information is communicated in clear formats according to industry standards. Students also gain knowledge in how to use relevant legal transcription and communication software designed specifically for the legal environment, as well as the knowledge of how to support other users. Graduates are able to recognize the stylistic aspects of all communication in the legal environment.

BUSI8520 Litigation/Small Claims/Family/Criminal Law Applied

This course focuses on applying knowledge gained in the areas of litigation, small claims, family, and criminal law to the production of forms and documentation according to the rules, regulations, and procedures in those fields. Students practice managing a legal administrator’s workload by completing series of tasks to the professional standards required in a dynamic legal environment. Each activity evaluates students’ ability to solve problems using critical, analytical skills while also observing governing standards particular to the law industry.

BUSI8521 Litigation/Small Claims/Family/Criminal Law Procedures

This course examines the role of a legal administrator in relation to litigation, small claims, family, and criminal law proceedings in support of the legal team. Students identify the components of forms used in each field, including, but not limited to, statements, affidavits, notices, and motions, from both the plaintiff and defendant’s perspectives. Emphasis is placed on legislation and courts including the Family Law Act, the Rules of Civil Procedure, and Superior Court of Ontario procedure. Students are also expected to determine the appropriate uses of client information based on techniques learned in the course and knowledge gained about the fields.

BUSI8134 Occupational Health and Safety

This course introduces participants to the broad and ever-changing field of occupational health and safety, an inherently technical subject area. The multiple dimensions of the various issues--technical, legislative, political, and personal--are a required part of the training for a professional in this field or for someone who is involved with this kind of operation. Major topic areas include the Occupational Health and Safety Act, WCB, WHMIS, transportation of dangerous goods, accident prevention and investigation, physical and biological agents, and the management of Occupational Health and Safety programs.

BUSI8518 Real Estate Law Applied

This course is designed to enable students to understand the steps and procedures of a residential real estate transaction and the purpose of each stage. Emphasis is placed on preparing all documents required to complete a residential transaction from opening the file to examining the Agreement of Purchase and Sale to preparing all letters and documents including e-reg documents and final reporting letters.

BUSI8519 Real Estate Law Procedures

This course is designed to enable students to understand the steps and procedures of a residential real estate transaction and the purpose of each stage. Real estate law terminology, a study of the land systems in Ontario, and documents used, both paper and electronic, are examined.

BUSI8522 Wills and Estates Law Applied

This course focuses on applying knowledge gained in the areas of wills and estates law to the production of forms and documentation according to the rules, regulations, and procedures in that field. Students practice managing a legal administrator’s workload by completing series of tasks to the professional standards required in a dynamic legal environment. Each activity evaluates students’ ability to solve problems using critical, analytical skills while also observing governing standards particular to the law industry.

BUSI8523 Wills and Estates Law Procedures

This course examines the role of a legal administrator in relation to wills and estates law proceedings in support of the legal team. Students identify the components of forms used in each field, including, but not limited to, Powers of Attorney and wills. Emphasis is placed on Ontario legislation governing the administration of estates. Students are also expected to determine the appropriate uses of client information based on techniques learned in the course and knowledge gained about the fields.

COMP8535 Word Core

Learn to use MS Word 2019 or 365 for Windows, a word processing package that has the convenience and efficiencies of pull-down menus. Learn to create, edit, format and print documents. Use paragraph, page, and character formatting commands. Create multiple page documents with table, and desktop publishing.

*Courses subject to change.

Additional courses information

Please note:

Courses should be completed in the order listed. Please take note of courses with pre-requisites or co-requisites. Registration requests may be denied if these have not been satisfied.
Students should complete all program requirements within seven years.
Students may apply to receive the credential after completing all required courses.
Visit Loyalist Focus for more information and to register for courses.

Required courses:

COMM 8001	Communications
COMP 8155	Introduction to Computers 1
COMP 8535	Word Core
COMP 8166	Excel Core
MATH 8002	Business Math
ACCT 8003	Accounting Basics I
COMP 8522	Computer Keyboarding Skills 1
BUSI 8185	Ethical Issues in Business
ACCT 8019	Computerized Accounting
BUSI 8055	Building and Maintaining Customer Relationships
COMP 8156	Introduction to Computers 2
COMM 8010	Communications: Grammar and Writing
BUSI 8134	Occupational Health and Safety
BUSI 8507	Introduction to the Legal Environment
BUSI 8023	Legal Office Procedures
BUSI 8512	Legal Transcription
BUSI 8516	Legal Accounting Procedures
BUSI 8521	Litigation/Small Claims/Family/Criminal Law Procedures
BUSI 8519	Real Estate Law Procedures
BUSI 8523	Wills and Estates Law Procedures
BUSI 8525	Corporate Law Procedures
BUSI 8520	Litigation/Small Claims/Family/Criminal Law Applied
BUSI 8518	Real Estate Law Applied
BUSI 8522	Wills and Estates Law Applied
BUSI 8524	Corporate Law Applied
Plus THREE	General Education courses

For information about courses that are currently available, visit Loyalist Focus.

Admission Requirements

This program is open for enrolment on a course-by-course basis. Students should possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or be classified as a mature student (19 years of age or older without an OSSD) prior to registering for courses.

Costs

Approximate costs (2024–25)

Course availability and costs can be found at Loyalist Focus.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs and resources. Learn more about paying for college and OSAP for students completing distance education programs.

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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