Legal Terminology

Understanding basic legal terminology is the foundation of every legal profession, from law offices and courtrooms to corporate compliance and government roles. With the growing demand for legal literacy across industries, professionals must be fluent in the language of the law. Our comprehensive Legal Terminology course equips you with the ability to understand and apply legal terms used in litigation, contracts, property, business, family, international law, and more.

Designed for students at...

6 Months / 125 Course Hrs

Open Enrollment

Offered in partnership with your preferred school

CSU Channel Islands

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Learning method

Instructor-led

$1,095USD

Self-paced. Study on your own schedule

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Details + Objectives

Course code: GES2201

What you will learn

Understand and apply core legal terms across legal disciplines
Identify Latin phrases and root words commonly used in legal documents
Differentiate between legal systems and court structures
Draft legal documents with correct terminology and format
Use terminology accurately in practical scenarios such as contracts, court cases, and negotiations

How you will benefit

Prepare for legal support roles with practical, career-relevant terminology
Gain confidence communicating with attorneys, clients, and legal institutions
Enhance job performance in compliance, HR, real estate, and administrative roles
Build a strong foundation for advanced legal studies or certifications
Receive a professional certificate validating your legal terminology proficiency

How the course is taught

Self-paced, online course
6 Months to complete
Open enrollment, begin anytime
125 course hours

Outline

Introduction to Legal Terminology
Comparative Legal Systems and Traditions
Legal Terminology in Court Processes
Contract Law Terminology
Property Law and Conveyancing Terminology
Corporate and Business Law Terminology
International Law and Treaties Terminology
Specialized Legal Topics

Instructors & Support

Patrick M. Teague

Patrick M. Teague is an experienced attorney in event law, representing various wedding and event professionals, including planners, designers, and photographers. He has also successfully represented Lovegevity, a multi-media publishing house, in contract negotiations with wedding and event suppliers, television personalities, and, notably, world-renowned event designer Preston Bailey.

Mr. Teague attended law school in New Orleans, where he holds a law degree from Tulane University and remains deeply interested and involved in the city.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

None. Basic English literacy and computer navigation skills are recommended.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac or Chromebook device.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 12 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Any word processing application (not included in enrollment).
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

FAQ

No.

While it doesn't qualify students to sit for national certification exams, this course supports and enhances preparation for or advancement in:

Paralegal Certificate Programs (college-based or ABA-approved)
Legal Secretary Training
Pre-Law or Criminal Justice programs
Entry-level court administration roles
Legal support roles in law firms or corporate legal departments

It is particularly useful for:

Professionals working alongside attorneys (legal assistants, HR managers, compliance officers)
Students preparing for more intensive legal education
Professionals switching careers into law, compliance, or government

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us.”

Legal Terminology

CSU Channel Islands