Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional)

Diploma of Social Sciences

Duration: 6 semesters plus 8 week work term

Program Description

The Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) program prepares students to work as support staff within the legal profession. Students will acquire an understanding of general principles of Canadian law and receive theoretical and practical training in specific legal subjects, legal ethics and small business requirements. Under the supervision of a professional lawyer, students will learn to interview clients, conduct legal research, prepare documents, and help legal professionals prepare for trials. A high level of skills and the ability to effectively organize and manage a variety of tasks simultaneously are essential for persons interested in this demanding field.

Program Courses

• ILLS Introduction to Law
• CRL1 Criminal Law I
• CSGE Communication Skills
• CNLA Consumer Law
• BK02 Bookkeeping
• PRLA Property Law
• LRWR Legal Research and Writing
• RETR Real Estate Transactions
• MVOF Motor Vehicle Offenses
• SCCP Small Claims Court Practices and Advocacy
• FALA Family Law
• WP01 Word Processing
• TOLA Tort Law
• EVI1 Evidence I
• CON1 Contracts 1
• HURE Human Relations
• DECO Debt Collection
• LOPR Legal Office Procedures
• CIPR Civil Procedure
• INLA Insurance Law
• CRPR Criminal Procedure
• WTES Wills, Trusts, and Estates
• ADLA Administrative Law
• EMLA Employment Law
• PRLE Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics
• CRL2 Criminal Law II
• PCLA PCLaw
• CON2 Contracts II
• EVI2 Evidence II
• COLA Corporate Law
• KEBO Keyboarding
• Work Term

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) program, which includes a work term, graduates may be eligible for employment (depending on specific hiring practices) in legal and law-related environments. Opportunities exist in the legal departments of governments and their agencies, private companies, life insurance, real estate, banking and paralegal firms.

Entrance Requirements

High School Graduates or Equivalent

High School Graduates or equivalent are eligible for admission to the Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) program. Students must complete an application form and provide a copy of High School, Adult Basic Education, or G.E.D. results. Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) applicants should have a 60% average in 9 Level III credits including a 60% in 3rd level Academic English.

Mature Students

Mature students are eligible for admission to the Legal Studies (Paralegal Professional) program. These students must be 19 years of age or older, complete an application form, provide a copy of most recent marks and write a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) as arranged by Academy Canada.

Specific Entrance Requirements

Students must submit a Clear Conduct Certificate from their local Police Department and two written letters of reference (no personal references). Clear Conduct Certificate: Students acquiring a Clear Conduct Certificate for admission into a program take on the responsibility of its validity. Students are solely accountable for any offenses not uncovered by the investigation being discovered and precluding the student from subsequent work terms or employment. Please note: Academy Canada reserves the right to deny admission into this program based on an unpardoned criminal record that would bear relevance to the field-term requirements of the program. In addition, employers will be given a copy of the student’s Clear Conduct Certificate on file prior to accepting students into the field-term situation.

For further information, please contact an Admissions Officer at 1-800-561-8000.

Program start dates are subject to sufficient enrollment.

Academy Canada reserves the right to modify any programs, courses, topics, objectives, etc.