Paralegal (Diploma)

Expand your skills in legal terminology, research, and procedures for work in specialized areas like litigation, corporate law, and real estate.

Tuition: 7040*

Credential: Diploma

Length: 1 0 year

Hours: Part-time

Format: Class-based

Campus: Downtown

Start Dates: Continuous

^$60_K

B.C. median annual salary^†

What you will learn

Overall court process in the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Basic law procedures for litigation, corporate, real estate, family, and estate law
Court documentation
Referencing of legislative materials
Legal terminology
Legal research
Legal ethics
Organization
Critical thinking

What to expect

Four and a half years of part-time study
Lectures and discussion
Group work and hands-on practice
Optional online coursework
Projects, presentations, participation
Assignments and quizzes
Final exams

Admission requirements

Knowledge of the English language, demonstrated by completion of ONE of the following:
1. Grade 12 graduation from a Canadian high school, or equivalent, including academic English 12 with at least C+ (64%), or equivalent; OR
2. Completion of an academic English or writing course from a Canadian College or University, or equivalent, with at least C+ (64%), or equivalent; OR
3. Completion of VCC High School Equivalence English courses with a "B" grade or higher; OR
4. English assessment success, including ONE of the following:
  - LET 4 (Langara English Test) with an overall score of 4; OR
  - LPI (Language Proficiency Index) with an essay level 4, essay score of at least 22 and a minimum 5 in English usage; OR
  - VCC Adult Basic English Reading and Writing Assessment with a minimum score of 60 in Reading, 52 in Writing, and a Writing Sample at 071 placement level; OR
  - VCC English Language Assessment with a minimum score of 145 overall, including a minimum score of 16 out of 30 in the essay portion; OR
  - IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with 6.5 overall; OR
  - TOEFL (Test of English Foreign Language) with 220 minimum overall, with a minimum of 5.0 on Essay. If Internet-based, the Reading, Writing and Listening component must total at least 60.
    Proof of the above prerequisites (i.e. official transcript or official test results) must be attached to the student's application.
Confirmation of legal experience, in the form of a letter from employer or official transcript, including:
- At least one year of legal work experience in British Columbia, OR
- Completion of the Legal Administrative Assistant program at VCC or an equivalent institution, OR
- Completion of Office Administration Certificate — Legal Office Skills, OR
- Completion of basic legal course work, such as the Legal Office Skills courses of the Office Administration Certificate Program, PLUS at least one year of office administration experience in or out of British Columbia

Non-program students may enroll in courses at the Program Coordinator's discretion.

General

This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Program options for international students can be found at VCC International.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.

Recommended Characteristics

Respect for the rigidly hierarchical system of authority on which the legal profession is based
Highly competent legal secretarial skills
Typing speed of at least 50 wpm
Excellent computer skills, including intermediate to advanced MS Word, Excel, file management and Internet search capabilities
Detail oriented
Excellent writing skills
Exceptional work ethic
Ability to follow instructions and prioritize work
Ability to meet deadlines

Courses

This program can be completed in one to three years.

Students require 84.3 credits to obtain the Paralegal Diploma. Students must take all core courses (23 credits), all four courses in all four practice areas (56 credits), and two electives (5.3 credits-averaged).

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
LEGL 1202	Canadian Legal Process	4
LEGL 1204	Torts	4
LEGL 1205	Legal Communications	3
LEGL 1207	Legal Research	4
LEGL 1208	Paralegal Practicum	3.5
LEGL 1209	Contracts	3.5
LEGL 1210	Agency and Business Structures	1
Practice Area Courses
Litigation:
LEGL 1301	Litigation for Paralegals 1	3.5
LEGL 1302	Litigation for Paralegals 2	3.5
LEGL 1303	Creditor's Remedies	3.5
LEGL 1304	Personal Injury Practice	3.5
Real Estate/ Conveyancing:
LEGL 1309	Property Law	3.5
LEGL 1310	Property Transactions	3.5
LEGL 1311	Lending and Security	3.5
LEGL 1312	Commercial Conveyancing	3.5
Corporate:
LEGL 1305	Corp Law - Basic Procedures	3.5
LEGL 1307	Corp Law - Intermediate Proc	3.5
LEGL 1308	Corp Law - Adv Procedures	3.5
LEGL 1317	Corp Law- Complex Transactions	3.5
Family Law/ Estates:
LEGL 1313	Family Law 1	3.5
LEGL 1314	Family Law 2	3.5
LEGL 1315	Wills and Estate Planning	3.5
LEGL 1316	Estate Administration	3.5
Electives
Please note that elective options are subject to change.
LEGL 1306	Securities - Corporate	3.5
LEGL 1410	Securities 2	1
LEGL 1403	Court of Appeal Practice	3.5
LEGL 1409	Bankruptcy and Foreclosures	3.5
LEGL 1401	Evidence	3.5
LEGL 1405	Intellectual Property	3.5
LEGL 1470	Criminal Law Procedures	1.5

This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.

* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and other costs

Fee description	Fee Amount	Notes
Application fee	0
Tuition	7040	Tuition Breakdown 0 - 1 0 - 2 0 - 3 0 - 4
Student union	0
College initiative	125
Materials	0	not including textbooks
Campus resource	282
Laundry	0
Tools (deposit)	0
Coverall (deposit)	0
Uniform (deposit)	0
Medical & Dental	0
U-PASS	0
Graduation	0
Program specific extra fees	0
Total

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.