Paralegal Certificate (Online)

This is a part-time distance education option designed for students who are currently employed in a legal setting and who do not live in the Lower Mainland area of Greater Vancouver and are unable to attend evening downtown classes. Students will study substantive law and legal skills courses while gaining their procedural law skills on the job. This option mirrors the evening Certificate option, and also has three intakes per year: September, January and May. Please contact the Department of Legal Studies at 604.986.1911 ext. 2361 for registration deadline information.

For more information, please see www.capilanou.ca/programs/paralegal/certificate

Admission Requirements

  • BC secondary school graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent, or mature student status.

  • English Language Requirement, TOEFL/ELA/IELTS/CAEL/PTE for students whose primary language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): paper=560, computer=220, internet=83, or English Language Assessment (ELA)=145, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)=6.5 overall, and no one score less than 6, or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)=70, or Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)=56 or Capilano University ESLF 080 with a minimum B+ grade.

  • English 100 (B- or higher) or LPI exam (level 5 or higher - please note that in the Department of Legal Studies the EDT is not accepted in place of the LPI).

  • Current legal employment and letter from employer || Resume || One of the following: 2 years legal admin work experience; graduation from Capilano's Legal Admin Asst program with B+ or higher (other LAA programs may be considered); graduation from Capilano's online LAA program with B+ or higher (other online LAA programs may be considered) plus 1 year legal admin work; or relevant life/work experience with or without legal admin work experience (some limitations).

How to Apply

Apply for Admission/Readmission online or by downloading and completing an application form. Completed applications must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee, official transcripts and other pertinent documents, and should be submitted to:

Registrar's Office Capilano University, Birch building, room 230 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 3H5 Phone: 604.984.4900 Fax: 604.984.1798

Admission/Application Notes

Students are advised to complete all five required courses before taking their five electives (see list of courses below). Students start with one of LAW 101 (September), LAW 230 (January), or LAW 210 (May) in their first year cycle. However, if, after completing these three required courses, the remaining required courses, LAW 300 (September) and LAW (301) January, are not available in the terms immediately following, students may enroll in electives until they become available.

Please contact us at 604.983.7594 or if you have any questions regarding the admission or application process.

Fees and Expenses

Please see the Fees and Fee Payment section of the Capilano website. Financial aid is available to eligible students for eligible programs. For more information, please see Financial Aid and Awards.

Paralegal Certificate

Intakes:CampusTermsFull/Part Time
 OnlineFallPart-Time
 OnlineSpringPart-Time
 OnlineSummerPart-Time
Required CoursesCourse CreditsRequired Credits
Credits15.00
Required:15.00
LAW 101Introduction to Law3.00
LAW 110Legal Analysis3.00
LAW 200Torts I3.00
LAW 210Legal Research3.00
LAW 300Contracts I3.00
ElectivesCourse CreditsRequired Credits
Credits15.00
Total Program Credits30.00
Choose 15.00 credits of electives:15.00
LAW 130Criminal Law3.00
LAW 140Family Law and Procedures3.00
LAW 201Torts II3.00
LAW 220Litigation Procedures I3.00
LAW 230Evidence3.00
LAW 240Estates and Procedures3.00
LAW 301Contracts II3.00
LAW 310Legal Drafting3.00
LAW 315Legal Interviewing3.00
LAW 320Creditors' Remedies and Procedures3.00
LAW 330Administrative Law3.00
LAW 340Company Law3.00
LAW 400Insurance Law I3.00
LAW 401Insurance Law II3.00
LAW 420Litigation Procedures II3.00
LAW 430Aboriginal Law3.00
LAW 440Real Property3.00
LAW 450Intellectual Property3.00

Graduation Requirements

In order to attain the Certificate, students must successfully complete 30 credits chosen from substantive Paralegal Program courses.

Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to graduate. If a student’s cumulative grade point average is below 3.0 (“B”) after completing the core course requirements, the student may be required to withdraw from the program after consultation with the Chair. The ultimate responsibility for monitoring the student’s cumulative GPA and ensuring that this minimum average is achieved by the end of the program rests with the student.

The requirements for the Certificate must be completed within five years of commencing the program. The five-year period may be extended in exceptional circumstances.

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