Overview
Expand your skills in legal terminology, research, and procedures for work in specialized areas like litigation, corporate law, and real estate.
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The Paralegal Program is a recognized paralegal program of the BC Paralegal Association (BCPA).
What you will learn
- Explain overall court and other dispute resolution procedures, from preparing court and dispute resolution documents through to resolution of the dispute.
- Explain principles and concepts of legal tasks performed.
- Draft court and commercial documentation and complete basic law procedures for litigation, corporate/business, real estate, family, and estate.
- Conduct legal research including fact gathering and issue identification.
- Locate, reference, and apply case law and legislative materials.
- Apply appropriate legal procedures in a variety of legal settings.
- Demonstrate proficient use of specialized legal terminology.
- Perform paralegal-level work in a law office or other legal setting.
- Adhere to principles of legal ethics in a work environment.
- Practice analytical, organizational, critical thinking, and team working skills in a legal setting.
What to expect
The Paralegal program is designed to provide students with practical hands-on learning grounded in theoretical and procedural aspects of fundamental legal study.
The program offers a flexible, part-time, stackable credential pathway. Students may earn a Paralegal Certificate, continue toward one or more Awards of Achievement in specialized practice areas, and ultimately complete the Paralegal Diploma.
Courses in the diploma are delivered through a combination of instructional activities including, but not limited to, lectures, discussion, group work, and simulated hands-on practice.
Student learning is evaluated in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, written summary assignments, forums or discussions, presentations, individual and group projects, quizzes, tests and exams, legal research, assignments, and portfolios.
All courses may be offered online, blended, or face-to-face and include some instructor-led, asynchronous learning.
Admission requirements
- English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
- Completion of one of the following:
- VCC’s Legal Administrative Assistant program, or equivalent,
- VCC’s Office Administration Certificate – Legal Office Skills, or equivalent,
- Minimum of one-year legal administrative assistant or paralegal experience as demonstrated by:
- a resume, and
- VCC Paralegal Employer Reference Checklist,
- Minimum of one-year of office administration experience as demonstrated by:
- a resume or reference letter, and
- completion of all the VCC Legal Office Skills courses:
- OACP 1113, or equivalent,
- OACP 1114, or equivalent,
- OACP 1115, or equivalent,
- OACP 1116, or equivalent,
- OACP 1117, or equivalent.
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
- Interest in working in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment
Fees and other costs
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $36 | |
| Tuition | $15,781 | |
| College initiative | $122 | |
| Campus resource | $316 | |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $16,300 |
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* 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.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.