Paralegal Diploma
We are now accepting applications for September 2012!
General
Students in the two-year Paralegal Diploma attend classes full time during the day at Capilano University's North Vancouver campus. Unlike our new Degree option, Diploma students join us after having already completed a minimum of 2 years of post-secondary education or equivalent learning experience. Many of our Diploma students have degrees when they commence their studies with us.
The Diploma option is a true cohort program - students complete course studies according to a set curriculum during the fall and spring terms (from September through April) for two consecutive years.
Diploma Profile
|
Yr |
Fall |
Spring |
|
1 |
TERM 1 LAW 220 – Litigation Procedures I |
TERM 2 LAW 115 – Legal Doc. Processing LAW 140 – Family Law and Procedures LAW 240 – Estates and Procedures |
|
2 |
TERM 3 LAW 442 – Conveyancing Proced. |
TERM 4 LAW 342 – Corporate Procedures LAW 420 – Litigation Procedures II LAW 425 – Law Office Procedures LAW 450 – Intellectual Property LAW 499 – Practicum |
Total credits: 66
The Diploma profile is based on core legal course studies in substantive law (including Legal Analysis, Torts, Contracts and Insurance Law), procedural law (such as Litigation Procedures and Conveyancing Procedures) and legal skills (Legal Research, Legal Drafting and Legal Interviewing). Upon completion of their studies on campus, students complete a six-month practicum under the supervision of a lawyer. Students are paid during this practicum by their employer. The responsibility for securing a practicum position rests with the student; however, faculty work closely with students and the legal community to facilitate the arrangement of practicum placements. Students are eligible for graduation at the end of a successful practicum.
All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.
Relationship between Diploma and Degree Profiles
Diploma and Degree students take the same core legal courses as noted above. The Diploma students take these courses over two years. Degree students take them over four years, along with general and legal electives.
With most other diplomas and related degrees, the diploma is based on two years of study at the 100 and 200 level and the degree is obtained after two more years of upper level studies. However, in the Paralegal Program, the two options are blended not stacked, meaning that the Diploma and Degree share the same core curriculum. Because our Diploma students already have some post-secondary experience when they are admitted, they compress their studies into two years, and are able to obtain their credential two years earlier than Degree students.
The Degree/Diploma Profiles Chart illustrates how the Diploma and Degree options run concurrently.
Admission Requirements
The basic admission requirement is two years of full-time post-secondary education (with an academic focus) or equivalent learning experience.
The detailed list of admission requirements is as follows:
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BC secondary school graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent, or mature student status
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One of the following: 2 years full-time post-secondary education (with an academic focus); 1 year full-time post-secondary education (with an academic focus) plus relevant life/work experience; or relevant life/work learning experience at the discretion of the department
-
English Language Requirement, TOEFL / ELA / IELTS / CAEL for students whose primary language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based requirement = 560, computer-based requirement = 220, internet-based requirement = 83, or English Language Assessment (ELA) requirement = 145, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement = 6.5 overall, and no one score less than 6, or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment requirement (CAEL) = 70
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English 100 (B- or higher) or LPI exam (level 5 or higher - please note that in the Legal Studies Department the EDT is not accepted in place of the LPI)
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Two letters of reference (preferably from past employers or college/university instructors); resume; short handwritten essay (3 pages, double spaced) entitled, "My Reasons for Wanting to be a Paralegal"; work experience in an office setting and a good working knowledge of computers are highly recommended but not required
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The Legal Studies Department will contact the applicant for an interview once the application package is complete
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:
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copy of high school and post-secondary transcripts
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2 letters of reference
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current résumé
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3 page hand-written essay on why you want to be a paralegal
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proof of 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 Resources page under Association for contact information.
Academic Standards and Graduation Requirements
1) Faculty will review the academic standing of all students each term and will provide assistance and counselling as necessary.
2) Students dropping below 2.0 ("C") at the end of first year will not be allowed to register for second year courses. 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") at the end of second year, the student may be required to withdraw from the program after consultation with the Chair.
4) Students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum 3.0 ("B") cumulative average by the end of second year in order to enrol in LAW 499 (Practicum). The ultimate responsibility for monitoring the student's cumulative GPA and ensuring that this minimum average is achieved by the end of second year rests with the student.
5) The practicum must be commenced within one year of completing the course requirements.
6) Students may work in law firms or law related fields while they complete the academic portion of the LAW program. However, students are not permitted to use this work experience for credit towards the practicum requirement; the practicum must begin following completion of the two-year diploma program course requirements.
7) Successful completion of the practicum is required before a student is eligible to graduate and receive a Diploma. Students are responsible for obtaining a practicum position.
8) The diploma option requires students to maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. In addition, any student whose grade point average falls below 2.0 will not be permitted to continue in the program.
More Information
For more information, see also the Frequently Asked Questions page.