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AssociateRecommended
Associate of Legal Administrative Assistant
- Santa Monica, United States
- 2 years
- English
- On campus
- Associate
About the program
Certificate of Achievement in Legal Administrative Assistant is a 27-unit programme at Santa Monica College covering legal terminology, transcription and law office procedures.
Program highlights
- Internship available: no
- Placement support: yes
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (1 year): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Explain key concepts in Legal Administrative Assistant. Apply knowledge in areas including certificate of 27 units
- each course needs a C or better and at least half the units must be taken at SMC. The
- the full course list is in the SMC 2026-27 catalog.. Communicate findings and evaluate relevant practical or academic problems.
Career outcomes
- Legal administrative assistant in law firms
- corporate legal departments
- government agencies
Curriculum
- Certificate of 27 units
- each course needs a C or better and at least half the units must be taken at SMC. The programme covers legal terminology
- transcription and law office procedures
- the full course list is in the SMC 2026-27 catalog.
Entry requirements
Academic
- High school completion or equivalent; transcripts of the last school attended (US school transcripts must show a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher); personal essay of 500 words on major
- degree and transfer plans; sponsor bank statement; proof of English proficiency; age 18 or older (16-17 with guardian conditions). Source: https://www.smc.edu/admission-aid/apply/international-students/submit-documents.php
Accepted academic background
High school completion or equivalent (transcripts of last school attended; US school transcripts must show cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher); personal essay 500 words (major, degree and/or transfer plans); sponsor bank statement; 18 or older (16-17 with conditions)
Language tests
- IELTS 5.0
- TOEFL iBT 45
- Duolingo 75
- PTE Academic 39
- Cambridge CAE/CPE grade C
- IELTS Academic 5
Documents you’ll need
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport Copy
- English Language Test Results
- Financial Evidence
How to apply
- Review the program entry criteria and relevant intake. Prepare academic transcripts and the supporting documents specified for this qualification. Submit the institution application and any required English proficiency evidence. Pay the application fee when applicable. Follow the admissions team instructions and await the decision.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $11,789 USD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $75 USD |
| Deposit | _ |
Program details
| Campus | Santa Monica College (campus within SMC not stated in the catalog) |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Business |
| Department | Office Technology |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 60 |
| Study pace | Fixed |
| Post-study stay | 1 year |
| Scholarship note | Foundation and other scholarship opportunities exist for eligible students; requirements differ for international applicants. |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
January 2027
Apply by
15 Nov 2026
2 days leftProgram starts
February 2027
Apply by
5 Jan 2027
53 days leftProgram starts
June 2027
Apply by
15 May 2027
183 days leftProgram starts
August 2027
Apply by
No deadline listed
Frequently asked questions
The program takes 2 years.
The next deadline is 15 Nov 2026. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.
Tuition is $11,789 USD per year. The application fee is $75 USD. The estimated living cost is $19,901 USD.
Accepted language tests: IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 45, Duolingo 75, PTE Academic 39, Cambridge CAE/CPE grade C, IELTS Academic 5.

