FAQs

Who teaches the courses?
Can I complete the courses at home?
What equipment and software will I need?
What if I don't have computer?
When do courses begin?
How long are the courses and how much time will I need to spend on my assignments?
What if I start a course and can't complete it?
How do I get help when I need it?
Is Financial Assistance available for online students?
How do I know if online learning is for me?
What courses make up this program?
Can I take this program part-time?
Can I transfer credit from the Legal Administrative Assistant
online courses to other programs?
Can I get credit for courses I have already taken or experience I already have?
How do I apply to and register in the program?
How do I obtain the required textbooks?
How much will it cost me?
What are the program prerequisites?

Who teaches the courses?

The Legal Administrative Assistant Online Program, like the Applied Business Technology Online Program at Capilano University is part of BCcampus. BCcampus is a collaboration of post-secondary institutions in British Columbia providing an online central access point to post-secondary online and distance learning courses, programs and resources. Courses are taught by a group of instructors who teach for a number of the colleges and universities in the provincial post-secondary education system. While you are registered with Capilano University you may not be taught by an instructor from Capilano and you will have students in your classes who are registered with the other colleges or universities throughout the province. Once your course is completed, your grade will be filed with Capilano University (your Registering University) by your instructor and it will be posted to your Student Record at Capilano.

Can I complete the courses at home?

Yes. With online learning your computer becomes your classroom. You can complete the course work anywhere - at home in your bedroom, in an Internet café or from any other location of your choice where you can hook up to the Web. Your "classroom" is a Web page with links to all kinds of resources. You can take a quiz, research a topic, watch a slide show or video and email your homework. Within limits, you have the flexibility of working whenever and wherever you wish.

While much of the course work is done online at your location of choice, some courses will require you to attend the University periodically for invigilated tests. If there is no college or university campus near you, a test invigilation may be arranged through an alternative professional who must be approved by your course instructor. There is no additional fee for test invigilation at your college or university. Any charge for alternative invigilation is your responsibility.

What equipment and software will I need?

You need a computer with Windows 7 installed as your operating system, an Internet connection and an e-mail address. Microsoft Word 2010 is the designated word processing software . See this link for a complete description of the hardware requirements for running Office 2010 on older computers http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624351.aspx.

All courses in the Legal Administrative Assistant Online Program, other than the Introduction to the Canadian Legal System, Conveyancing I and Conveyancing II include digital transcription activities. In order to be able to complete transcription assignments your computer will also need to be equipped with Sound Blaster 16 compatible sound card and have one serial or USB port available for the Wavpedal foot pedal. You will need a USB Wavpedal foot pedal, WavPlayer software and a set of computer headphones. Express Scribe, audio playback control software, is required and can be downloaded free of charge. This will allow you to transcribe digital recordings. Detailed information on ordering the Wavpedal can be found on the BC Campus website.

If you are arranging internet access for the first time, tell your internet provider that you are a student and you may receive a discounted rate for service. While your communications with your instructors are held within the communications module of Desire2Learn - the course management system - an external e-mail address is recommended as an alternate method of communication.

What if I don't have computer?

While it is preferable for every student to have access to their own computer, it is possible to arrange to book computer time at one of the college campuses. Contact the Online Programs Convenor for Applied Business Technology at lgao@capilanou.ca to explore this possibility. Your local library may be another location where you can arrange to book computer time. See the section on required equipment and software to ensure that the computer you will be using is capable of accommodating the additional equipment and software for digital transcription.

When do courses begin?

All courses are offered online throughout the year from August to June. Course descriptions and information regarding the start date and number of weeks for specific courses can be obtained from the BC Campus website.

Each course has a designated start date and end date. You must commence the course on that date and have completed all your assignments and tests by the end date.

How long are the courses and how much time will I need to spend on my assignments?

The courses vary in length from six to twelve weeks. Depending on the course, you should expect to spend from four to ten hours per week reading online materials, working through assignments and communicating with your classmates and instructor.

During your courses you will be expected to meet deadlines for submitting assignments and taking online quizzes and invigilated tests. If you wait until the last two weeks of the course to submit ALL or MOST of your assignments, your work may not be accepted by your instructor. Communication with your online instructor and your Capilano University program Convenor is important. Advise them both if you are falling behind.

What if I start a course and can't complete it?

You must advise your online course instructor and the Capilano University online programs Convenor requesting a withdrawal from the course. Each course has a different withdrawal date which is usually prior to 25 percent of the total length of the course. If you withdraw within this time frame, you may be eligible for a partial refund. Check the University policy on Tuition Refunds .

How do I get help when I need it?

Technical support is available Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm from the Helpdesk at BCcampus.

Your online course instructors are available to answer questions and assist you with assignments through the Pager, LiveRoom Chat, Discussion and e-Mail component of every course. They will be available to you only during regularly scheduled office hours. You will find this information posted in the welcome message of each course. In this message your instructor will advise you of their office hours - when they are available by pager or in their Live Rooms - and let you know when you can expect to have graded assignments returned. Your instructors endeavor to respond to your e-mail or discussion postings within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Some instructors will also make themselves available on weekends and schedule private appointments as required.

Is Financial Assistance available for online students?

Financial Assistance is available for eligible Legal Administrative Online Program students. For further information regarding eligibility or the application process please contact the Financial Aid Office at 604-984-4966, by email at finaid@capilanou.ca or visit their office in BR238.

How do I know if online learning is for me?

Online Learner Success (OLS) is the first course all BCcampus online learners must take. This course is scheduled over two weeks and takes approximately 15 hours to complete. It introduces you to Desire2Learn which is the course management system for all BCcampus online courses. By taking this course you will get a feel for online learning and be able to determine how it fits into your lifestyle. You may take one course and add other courses as you wish.

What courses make up this program?

The Legal Administrative Assistant Online Program certificate is awarded upon successful completion of ten legal courses plus four ABT Online program courses - Online Learner Success, Business English, Human Relations, and Job Search.

To be eligible for a certificate, you must successfully complete all the courses in the certificate program within three years from the date of commencement. If you take longer than three years you may be required to update courses that may have changed significantly since the time that you took them.

Can I take this program part-time?

Yes. You can register for one or more courses depending on your needs. Online courses allow you to access your classroom 24 hours a day seven days a week. The Program Convenor will assist you to create a course load tailored to meet your personal goals that is reasonable within the time you have available for study.

Can I transfer credit from the Legal Administrative Assistant online courses to other programs?

Some of the online courses can be transferred to other Applied Business Technology, Legal Administrative Assistant and Business Administration Programs. Contact the Online Programs Convenor at lgao@capilanou.ca to determine if the course you are interested in transferring is eligible.

Can I get credit for courses I have already taken or experience I already have?

Yes, it is possible to transfer credits for courses taken at other institutions to this program. Requests for transfer credit must be submitted on the Request for Transfer Credit form and submitted to the Registrar's Office.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is assessment by some valid and reliable means, by qualified specialists, of what has been learned through non-formal education/training or experience. It involves a procedure that allows you to receive credit for previous learning and or experience that is equivalent to the defined outcomes of a particular course.

You need to:

Apply to the program.
Complete a PLA application (available from the Program Coordinator). Your application will be reviewed and you will discuss this with the Program Coordinator.
If acceptable you will pay the course fee and complete the PLA requirements for the course.
Once the PLA requirements are assessed by the assessor, a grade is assigned.

How do I apply to and register in the program?

Your first step is to apply to Capilano University for admission or as in the case of an existing student, readmission. This can be done online through the university website. Indicate on your application that you want the Legal Administrative Assistant Online Program. Initially you will receive a confirmation number that indicates your application has been received. Within two weeks you should receive a Student Number.

When you have your Student Number, contact the Legal Administrative Assistant Program Convenor lgao@capilanou.ca to register for the online courses.

Registration for online courses is a two-part process.

One part is registration into the BCcampus system. This can only be done by the Program Convenor. This registration provides you with Web access to the courses in which you are enrolled.
The other part is registration into the Capilano University system. You will be sent a Registration Form in the mail which is to be completed and returned to the Program Convenor. This registration provides you with access to your student record and your transcript.
While online registration for online courses is not yet available, tuition payment can be made online. Once your course registration has been processed you can access your account online to make your payment.

How do I obtain the required textbooks?

Textbooks for all the courses can be obtained from the Capilano University Bookstore on the North Vancouver campus. If you reside near one of our regional campuses, save on delivery costs, staff in the Regional Campuses may be able to assist you in having texts shipped to a Regional campus via the interoffice mail. If you cannot come to the North Vancouver Campus Bookstore or a Regional Campus, arrangements can be made to ship them to you. Contact our bookstore manager and provide the details of the texts you require along with a credit card authorization for billing.

How much will it cost me?

For information, procedures and policies regarding fees, payments and refunds please refer to the Capilano University Fees and Fee Payment and Tuition and Other Fees.

Textbook costs vary. Check out the cost of required texts at the University Bookstore .

You will need Microsoft Word 2010 and Excel 2010from Microsoft Office 2010. Educational prices are available on presentation of a valid student card when purchased at the University Bookstore or from some vendors.

For digital transcription activities you will need a wav pedal ($100) which can be obtained by contacting Brad Mole of Cost-plus at www.cost-plus.com or by email to miff@cost-plus.com , headphones ($40), and wav player software ($350 - $400 for a brand name digital transcription package) or free if you use Express Scribe as recommended and downloaded from ( www.nch.com.au ).

What are the program prerequisites?

In order to be accepted into the program you will be asked to complete an Online Interview Form attesting to your working knowledge of Windows and File Management, keyboarding speed, and word processing competency. Acceptance is based on:

your ability to keyboard using the touch method at a speed of 45 wpm.
competency in several intermediary word processing features used in creating legal documents (detailed on the Interview Form).
working knowledge of Windows and File Management.

If you do not possess these prerequisites, there are several Applied Business Technology courses that can help you acquire these skills and competencies. They are:

ABTO 110/112 - Keyboarding I & II
ABTO 111/113 - Word Processing I & II
ABTO 101 - Introduction to Computers and the Internet