Office Administration - Legal

Program Overview

The Office Administration - Legal program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal administrative field through a combination of theoretical and practical courses. The program emphasizes computer literacy, collaboration, and communication skills, preparing graduates for rewarding careers in law firms, trust companies, and other legal settings. Students gain hands-on experience through three two-week work placements, building relationships and enhancing their employability.

Program Outline

Outline:

The Office Administration - Legal program curriculum is structured across four semesters, spanning two academic years. Each semester features a combination of theoretical and practical courses, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal administrative field.

Semester 1

• ACCT 26: Bookkeeping: Introduces the principles and concepts of bookkeeping, covering the accounting cycle for both service and merchandising operations.
• COMM 34: Introduction to College Communications: Develops college and workplace communication skills, focusing on organizing and expressing ideas effectively.
Also develops professional conduct skills through emails, business presentations, and personal time management.
• OFAD 90: Electronic Spreadsheets: Introduces basic spreadsheet operations using software to produce business documents.
• OFAD 122: Introduction to Word Processing: Introduces basic keyboarding and word processing skills and applications.
Students produce basic business documents in a timed setting.
• GENE 114: Professional Effectiveness: Examines the process of adjusting to a new organizational culture and equips students with strategies for successful transitions.

Semester 2

• ACCT1039: Computer Applications for Accounting: Provides hands-on experience with computerized accounting and office administration software.
Students learn to journalize transactions, prepare bank reconciliations, and calculate payroll. Teaches minute-taking, scheduling, records management, travel, and finance.
• OFAD 123: Word Processing: Intermediate Applications: Builds on the skills learned in Introduction to Word Processing.
Students practice producing complex business documents in a timed setting.
• OFAD 190: Electronic Database Management: Introduces basic database operations, including designing tables and queries, creating forms and reports, and performing general tasks using database software.
Students secure a two-week placement position.
• WRIT 2: Communications 2: Office Career Writing: Develops communication skills, including using social media in a business setting.
Students practice producing documents for a business setting, write resumes and cover letters, and learn networking and interviewing skills.

Semester 3

• ACCT 129: Accounting Systems for Law Offices: Focuses on the practical use of accounting software with attention to the unique aspects of law firm accounting.
• COMP1018: Word Processing: Advanced Applications and Desktop Publishing: Builds on the skills learned in Word Processing - Intermediate Applications.
Develops desktop publishing skills and practices producing complex business documents in a timed setting.
• OFAD 113: Electronic Spreadsheets: Intermediate Applications: Expands on the student's introductory level knowledge of spreadsheets.
Students perform intermediate computations using spreadsheet software to produce business documents within established deadlines.
• OFAD 148: Legal Document Production 1: Applies business and legal concepts in the production and formatting of legal correspondence and documents, including civil litigation and estate procedures.
Students secure a two-week work placement position.
• GENE: General Education Course: N/A

Semester 4

• CARE 91: Career Strategies: Helps students succeed in today's workplace.
Covers job search transition, self-advocacy, goal setting, and career planning.
• OFAD 5: Electronic Databases: Intermediate Applications: Familiarizes students with intermediate database operations.
Students become proficient in organizing, analyzing, and presenting information using database software.
• OFAD 30: Legal Machine Transcription: Produces legal documents to industry standards by transcribing voice files using transcription software.
• OFAD 149: Legal Document Production 2: Applies business and legal concepts, using specialized software, in the production and formatting of legal documents in the areas of family, corporate, and real estate law.
Students secure a two-week work placement position.

Teaching:

• Experienced faculty prepare students to work in dynamic business environments.
• Students become extremely computer literate through instructional scaffolding.
• Faculty provide a supportive and professional environment that allows students to build on their current level of knowledge, leading to mastery of business office skills.
• Students learn to share and edit documents in a cloud-based environment using MS Teams.
• The program emphasizes collaboration and communication skills.
• Students have the opportunity to enhance these skills through regular classroom exercises and participating in the student work placement experience.

Careers:

• Graduates from the legal stream find challenging positions in various sectors, including:
• Law firms
• Trust companies
• Real estate firms
• Legal departments of large corporations
• Provincial and federal courts
• Local business offices
• The program prepares students for a wide range of rewarding careers in the legal administrative field.

Other:

• The program offers a "student work placement experience" to provide hands-on experience in a professional office setting.
• Students are expected to complete three 2-week placements over the two-year program.
• Faculty helps students secure their own community placements to enhance networking and communication skills.
• All placements are reviewed and approved by faculty.
• Some placements may require a resume, interview, and specific immunizations or CPIC screening.
• Students are supervised by a faculty member while on placement, and the placement agency provides a final evaluation.

Additional Notes:

• The context mentions that student work placements are considered one of the most valuable experiences in the program.
• Students build relationships, deal with clients, and often find career opportunities upon graduation.
• The program offers a variety of delivery modes, including classroom, online, and hybrid options.