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Legal secretary education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a legal secretary. Legal secretaries usually study business, legal support services, or criminal justice. 37% of legal secretaries hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 66,556 real legal secretary resumes to see exactly what legal secretary education sections show.
The most common colleges for legal secretaries are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online legal secretary courses to help get the education required to be a legal secretary.
There are certain legal secretary certifications that you should consider. These legal secretary certifications include Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) and Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant (CP/CLA).
What education do you need to become a legal secretary?
What degree do you need to be a legal secretary?
- Bachelor's, 37%
- Associate, 34%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 11%
What should I major in to become a legal secretary?
- Business, 22%
- Criminal Justice, 8%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for legal secretaries
| Legal secretary common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 18.34% |
| Miami Dade College | 8.67% |
| Florida International University | 5.28% |
| New York University | 5.28% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.21% |
Best majors for legal secretaries
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 22.5% |
| 2 | Legal Support Services | 19.6% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 8.2% |
| 4 | Secretarial And Administrative Science | 5.5% |
| 5 | Psychology | 4.8% |
Best colleges for legal secretaries
The best colleges for legal secretaries are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston University.
A legal secretary with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for legal secretaries. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become legal secretaries.
1. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. Maria College of Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$15,140
Enrollment
876
4. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
6. Daemen College
Amherst, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$28,580
Enrollment
1,712
7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
Alfred, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,570
Enrollment
3,721
8. Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$30,300
Enrollment
1,445
9. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for legal secretaries
Advertising disclosure
1. Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law. This program will give you a broad overview of the main trends that are affecting the legal industry: - The birth of the legal tech market and the application of technology in law. - The role of artificial intelligence in the automation of the work of lawyers. - Blockchain technology and its impact on the way we sign and execute contracts. - Initiatives to ensure access to justice through...
2. Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
By its nature, the law touches on many aspects of entrepreneurship, making it an applicable and versatile topic of study. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it's important to understand how to form the business, work with the initial customers, and hire. For active entrepreneurs, there are critical considerations on employment law, operating policies, and managing contracts. For everyone, the role that the law plays in managing the company, and its associated risks, must be properly understood to...
3. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
4. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
5. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues
The purpose of the course is to help students understand the legal implications related to the design and use of artificial intelligence systems, providing an overview of the risks and legal protections that can be envisaged and giving an overview of the legislation and legal principles currently applicable on the subject. In particular, the profiles of civil and criminal liability, protection in terms of intellectual property and the impacts of AI on the fundamental rights of the individual -...
6. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
7. Legal Writing Master Class
Learn with lawyers by learning the correct use of prepositions and articles, drafting contracts and writing letters...
8. Legal English Language Certificate (LELC) Level 1 - CPD
Learn from Lawyers - Learn the CORRECT use of articles, prepositions, legal terms & start writing your letter!...
9. Cloud Computing Law
This Specialization is intended for anyone interested in understanding the legal rights and obligations of providers and customers of cloud services. Our three Courses cover the key legal and regulatory issues for cloud services, including cloud contracts, data protection law, law enforcement access, and much more! You will learn to describe cloud providers’ and customers’ legal rights, to identify and assess legal risks, and to suggest possible legal and technological solutions...
10. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out
Evidence shows that 1 life is saved for every 10-20 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued. ERPOs are legally issued civil orders that allow people on the front lines to ask a court to prevent a person at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms during a critical period of risk. As of October 2020, ERPO laws have been enacted by nineteen states and the District of Columbia and while some aspects differ by state, the general process for applying...
11. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues
For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...
12. Learn Ethical Hacking By Hacking Real Websites Legally
Fun way to learn ethical hacking by playing online hacking games - hacking real websites legally...
13. Essentials of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
The Who, What, When, Where, and How of the World's Most Common Business Contract...
14. The Guide To Office & Industrial Real Estate Investing
How To Analyze Office and Industrial Real Estate Investments For Smarter Investing...
15. The Legal Implications of Social Media in the Workplace
Regulatory and Case Law Considerations for Employers' Social Media Policy Development...
16. Real Estate Math Made Easy: Pass Your Licensing Exam
Get Over Your Math Anxiety to Pass Your Real Estate Licensing Exam and Build A Successful Real Estate Career!...
17. Intro to Real Estate Development
Learn professional techniques and use investment-grade models to analyze real estate development deals...
18. Pre-Investing: Essential Real Estate Investing Concepts
What Future Real Estate Investors MUST Know Before Making Their 1st Investment...
19. Real Estate Acquisitions 101
How To Identify Commercial Properties, Run Due Diligence, Raise Capital, and Close Commercial Real Estate Transactions...
20. Brief Intro to Commercial Real Estate
Learn the essential fundamentals of commercial real estate...
Top 10 most affordable universities for legal secretaries
The most affordable schools for legal secretaries are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for legal secretaries are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for legal secretaries.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
5. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
6. Trident University International
Cypress, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,240
Cost of attendance
17,912
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
9. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for legal secretaries
The hardest universities for legal secretaries to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for legal secretaries are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for legal secretaries based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
5. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for legal secretaries
The easiest schools for legal secretaries to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, manor college, and lim college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a legal secretary without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for legal secretaries.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Manor College
Jenkintown, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
898
3. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
7. Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,102
8. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
9. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,009
10. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
Average legal secretary salary by education level
| Legal secretary education level | Legal secretary salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,388 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $43,663 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,989 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $44,615 |
Legal secretary education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025