Paralegal Studies

Program Description

The Paralegal Studies program prepares graduates 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, ability to effectively organize, and manage a variety of tasks simultaneously are essential for persons interested in this demanding field.

Program Courses

• Administrative Law
• Bookkeeping
• Civil Procedure
• Communication Skills
• Consumer Law
• Contracts I
• Contracts II
• Corporate Law
• Criminal Law I
• Criminal Law II
• Criminal Procedure
• Debt Collection
• Employment Law
• Environmental Law
• Evidence I
• Evidence II
• Family Law
• Insurance Law
• Introduction to Law
• Job Search Skills
• Keyboarding
• Legal Office Procedures
• Legal Research and Writing
• Motor Vehicle Offenses
• PCLaw
• Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics
• Property Law
• Real Estate Transactions
• Small Claims Court Practice and Advocacy
• Spreadsheets
• Student Success
• Tort Law
• Wills, Trusts, and Estates
• Word Processing
• Work Term

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Paralegal Studies 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.  A small sample of Academy Canada’s excellent employers include:

• Benson Buffett
• Cox & Palmer
• Bussey Horwood Law Group
• Gittens & Associates
• Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission
• Office of the Citizens' Representative
• Roebothan McKay and Marshall
• Roger Rogers Moyse

Work Term Information

Work terms are a required, unpaid, formally arranged on-site training experience completed at the end of the program. The work term provides students with practical, real-world experience that supports skill development, professional confidence, and readiness for employment.

Students are expected to attend according to the host’s schedule and must report any absences to both the host supervisor and the Graduate Employment Coordinator. Missed days are added to the end of the placement. Attendance and performance are monitored through ongoing communication, including check-ins and formal mid-placement and final evaluations. Successful completion of an approved, authorized work term is required for graduation.

Students are responsible for maintaining professional conduct, attending as scheduled, complying with host policies, promptly reporting absences or concerns, and completing all required documentation. The College is responsible for approving placements, providing guidance and support, monitoring progress, and determining successful completion. Work term hosts are responsible for supervision, attendance reporting, providing appropriate learning opportunities, and completing required evaluations. Students who do not who do not meet work term requirements may be removed from their placement and may be required to complete a new placement in order to graduate.