Paralegal Certificate

We are now accepting applications for the September 2012 term.  Courses offered this term include: Introduction to Law (core course), Litigtion Procedures I, Contracts I and Insurance Law I.  Online option courses include: Introduction to Law (core course), Litigtion Procedures I, Criminal Law and Torts I.

General

The Paralegal Certificate is a part-time option designed for students who are working in a law office, legal department or other legal setting. Students study substantive law and legal skills courses while gaining their procedural law skills on the job. Starting in September 2010 some procedural law courses, such as Litigation Procedures, will also be available as electives.

The Paralegal Certificate is available in two delivery modes: onsite (most courses are held in the evening at a downtown Vancouver location - currently the BCIT campus on Seymour Street) and online. The curriculum is the same for both; the only difference is the method of delivery.

The online version began in 1997 and was designed for students who were unable to take locally scheduled classes. It was the first fully online credential for paralegals available in Canada. For over a decade now, the online program has been a source of paralegal education for students in BC, across Canada, and around the world (including the US, Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, Czech Republic, Netherlands, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates).

For registration purposes, we use two names to describe this program option based on delivery mode. Paralegal Certificate refers to regular onsite delivery where students attend lectures in person at a set time, and Paralegal Certificate (Online) refers to online delivery where students learn at a distance without physically attending classes. When registering for the Paralegal Certificate (Online), preference is given to students living outside our catchment area (i.e., the Lower Mainland). Local students are generally expected to register in the Paralegal Certificate. However, in the event of seat availability or exceptional circumstances, local students are able to register in online courses.

Please note that the credential obtained after completing all the credit requirements is the same – Paralegal Certificate – regardless of the delivery method of your courses and the name used to describe this program option when you registered. The following information applies to both the onsite and online versions of the Certificate option, unless otherwise noted.

Certificate Profile

                       Total credits: 30 

   Total credits: 30

The main difference between the old and the new profiles relates to the core course requirements. Legal Analysis replaces Evidence as a core course, and Contracts I and Torts I are now both required core courses. Contracts II and Torts II will continue to run regularly as electives and students are strongly encouraged, though not required, to take these important courses. Another difference is the introduction of new electives which are procedural in nature, Litigations Procedures I and II.

Paralegal Certificate students are required to take all five core courses (15 credits) and any five electives (15 credits) for a total of 30 credits. All courses are 3 credits. Please note that equivalent courses count as one course. For example, taking LAW 130 after having already taken IPS 268 (or receiving transfer credit for it from another institution) counts as just one course and 3 credits.

For students who started the Certificate option before September 2010, you have the option of following the old profile or the new profile. For students starting the Certificate option in September 2010 or later, you must follow the new profile.

Unfortunately not all electives are available each year. Our funding model allows for 5-6 onsite and 5-7 online electives depending on enrolment and other factors. As many as three of these electives may also be open to Degree students. Each year we conduct surveys of Certificate students to determine where the most demand lies. Please participate in these surveys so we can offer the courses of most interest to you!

Certificate Pathways

The Certificate option has three intakes per year: September, January, and May. Fall term (September-December) and spring term (January-April) courses are taken over a 15-week period, which includes a two-week final exam period. Summer term (May-June) courses are compressed over a seven-week period.

The following are four representative pathways for completing the Paralegal Certificate requirements, but there are other sequences that you may choose depending on which, if any, terms you decide to take off. You have five years to complete your course requirements in order to graduate, unless exceptional circumstances prevent you from doing so and special arrangements have been made with the Department to extend your studies beyond this time.

Paralegal Program Certificate Pathway – Example 1

Paralegal Program Certificate Pathway – Example 2

Paralegal Program Certificate Pathway – Example 3

Paralegal Program Certificate Pathway – Example 4

Please note that the three bolded courses (Introduction to Law, Legal Analysis and Legal Research) must be completed first (in any order) before registering in other core courses or electives.

Doubling up courses is possible after you have completed four courses and obtained a GPA of 3.67 (or A- average).

Admission Requirements

The basic admission requirement is high school graduation plus a minimum of two years work experience in a legal setting. It is possible to ladder into the Certificate option from a Legal Administrative Assistant program, such as the one offered here at Capilano University, and reduce or eliminate the two-year employment requirement (details below).

Applicants interested in the field of law who do not meet the Paralegal Program admission requirements may wish to consider Capilano University's Legal Administrative Assistant program and then look at laddering into the Paralegal Certificate.

How to Apply

1) Complete and submit the application form at Apply for Admission/Readmission. Once your application is downloaded, you will receive an acknowledgement letter, which will include your student number and email account, from the Registrar's Office.

2) Submit your official transcripts and any other documents as indicated on your acknowledgement letter from the Registrar's Office.

3) Submit the following documents to the Department of Legal Studies:

• letter from your employer, confirming your employment and duties
• current résumé
• proof of the English requirement

4) We will be in contact with you shortly, or please feel free to contact us.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Paralegal Program students are eligible to apply for a number of scholarships and bursaries. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries page for more information.

Association Memberships

Please note that Paralegal Program students are eligible for student membership with the BC Paralegal Association. Please see our Resources page under Associations for contact information.

Academic Standards and Graduation Requirements

1) Students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum 3.0 ("B") cumulative average by the end of the program in order to graduate. 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.

2) All students who receive an "F" grade in first term will not be allowed to register for additional courses. Students who are accepted conditionally may be required, as stated in their letter of acceptance, to achieve a higher grade in their first course in order to continue. Extenuating circumstances such as illness or injury will be reviewed by the faculty.

3) 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.

4) Students must work in law firms or law-related fields while they complete the LAW program.

5) All required courses must be taken or challenged. Transfer credits for legal courses from other programs or institutions will not be granted as the focus in the Paralegal courses are unique.

6) Paralegal certificate students must successfully complete 30 credits of substantive law courses or skills based courses to graduate.

7) It may be necessary to take some courses during May/June in order to complete the certificate requirements.

8) It is necessary to complete the certificate requirements within five years. In exceptional circumstances the five year period may be extended for one year.

9) Registration in more than one course per term:
   a) The program recognizes that students wish to complete the program as quickly as possible. Therefore, we encourage students to register in one course in each of the three terms per year.
   b) Only students with an A- average (3.67 grade point) after completion of five core courses will be permitted to register in two courses per term.

More Information

For more information, see also the Frequently Asked Questions page.