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| Border Ladner Gervais | HSBC Bank |
| Canada Department of Justice | WCB Appeal Tribunal |
| Lang Michener | BinPal and Associates |
| Goodwin and Mark | Maryn and Associates |
| Law Offices of Koffman Kalef | Gill Dosal Law Office |
Faith E. Hayman Law Corp. |
Edwards, Kenny and Bray LLP |
Marcotte Law Office
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Campbell Froh May & Rice LLP |
Lawson Lundell
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Davis and Company |
Certificate and Diploma graduates are eligible for Level I billing status on I.C.B.C. cases. View the Careers webpage for job placement resources.
Q: Do you accept International students?
A: Our online courses make it possible for students throughout Canada and the world to succeed at the Paralegal program. View the Admission Policies page for information about language requirements and legal experience. While our course fees are extremely competitive, be aware that students who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are subject to fees at a 150% rate (1 1/2 times) those posted online.
As a part-time program, this program does not typically qualify to insure Student Immigration status. International students should view VCC International for information. Please note that the Paralegal program has a separate application form, available for download at Admission Policies, which needs to be submitted independently of VCC International requirements.
The VCC Multilingual Legal Glossary is also a helpful, free resource for persons looking for legal term translations.
Q: I am a Lawyer in my home country. Can I take the Paralegal Certificate Program?
A: A Paralegal is a highly trained support staff person who has earned practical skills and legal theory as an addition to exceptionally meticulous support staff skills. For this reason lawyers from other jurisdictions often encounter difficulty finding work as a paralegal, even after enrolling in a paralegal studies program.
Lawyers from other jurisdictions may consider one of three options:
1. Look the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Law Society of British Columbia for information on practicing law in Canada and in British Columbia. The VCC Multilingual Legal Glossary is also a helpful, free resource for persons looking for legal term translations.
2. Consider law-related options such as the VCC Court Interpreting program, if you are multi-lingual, and/or investigating a program in Immigration Consulting, through Ashton College or University of British Columbia.
3. Consider the Paralegal program, while carefully considering how best to land a job in the field. Be aware that some lawyers won't hire a paralegal with a background as a lawyer.
18-month Certificate option:
Persons with a lawyer background in another common law country such as England, the United States, Australia, India and others can complete the paralegal program in as little as 18 months. When you submit your program application, include Transfer Credit Request forms for the following courses: Contracts, Torts, and Agency and Business (Corporate) Structures, if you have taken these elsewhere. Consider taking OACP Legal Skills courses, noted below, to assist with your job search.
Students who do not have a common law background also have the advantage of strong academic skills and usually, top-notch study hapits. For these students, start with the OACP Legal Skills courses, offered every September and every January, which will provide students with practical legal skills suitable for finding work in British Columbia as a basic level legal assistant. Upon successful completion of the legal office skills test, you may immediately begin taking paralegal courses. View the Careers page for further job search resources.
Students are also urged to consider the Professional and Career English program, a self-study program for high-level ESL-speakers who wish to add the final polish to their English comminication skills.
Q: How can I learn more about a career as a Paralegal or Lawyer?
VCC offers a number of resources to students considering a career in the legal field.
Persons interested in a career as lawyer or paralegal should understand that, based as it is on a rigid hierarchical system dating back 1000 years or more, Western law and para-law require an understanding of and respect for authority in law and in the office. Persons who prefer a more independent approach may want to consider other options in the Continuing Studies program; for example, Court Interpreting or Small Business. Other areas of interest might include law enforcement or private security services.
Persons interested in criminal law or criminology should consider contacting the Justice Institute of BC. Criminal lawyers rarely use legal assistants and we do not provide criminal paralegal courses at this time.
We do not recommend taking the paralegal program as a stepping stone to a law degree, as these are two entirely different careers with totally different academic requirements and skill sets.
If you are comfortable with the concept of legal authority, but are not sure if you prefer a career as a lawyer or a paralegal, you owe it to yourself to learn about each career path.
Take a course or two in the paralegal program, if you have legal skills or background. This can give you an idea about the law and what is expected of a paralegal.
Also, check the VCC Library for paralegal and legal office procedural manuals, law textbooks, the Advocate Law Society magazine publications, and career guidance materials. View the Library's Legal Information Resources for further online references.
The Continuing Studies Office and Administrative Skills Program Legal Skills courses, especially the Introduction OACP 1113 and Legal Office Procedures OACP 1139, are a nice introduction to legal office and basic paralegal skill sets.
Language skills are paramount. Extensive grammar and writing resources are available at the VCC Library , and the VCC Learning Centre offers language and study tutoring for students. Related courses include the VCC ESL self-study Professional and Career Education (PACE) Program, and the Continuing Studies Business English Skills Package Program for lifelong English speakers.
For office support skills specific to the legal industry, view the VCC Legal Administrative Assistant program, or the Legal Skills courses in the Continuing Studies Office and Administrative Skills Program. The VCC Library also offers legal and office skills information handbooks.
Students graduating from VCC Legal Administrative Assistant program, or the equivalent at another institution, or who have experience in the legal field or have completed the Continuing Studies Office and Administrative Skills Program Legal Skills courses should make every effort to find work as a legal support staff person while enrolled in Paralegal courses.
View Planning a Paralegal Career for more information.
Q: Are VCC online Paralegal courses relevant in other jurisdictions?
A: A number of our students live and work in Alberta, Ontario, or other commonlaw jurisdictions.
Required (core) course material is relevant in any common law jurisdiction (Canada, USA, England, Australia etc.).
Level II "Practice area" courses focus on hands-on procedures specific to British Columbia. However, the basic skills are transferrable between common-law jurisdictions.
Q: Is the VCC Paralegal Program certified by the B.C. Law Society?
A: The British Columbia Law Society does not certify any Paralegal Program. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Law Society with inquiries.
Q: How can the paralegal program help me earn more in the workplace?
A: A Paralegal is generally expected to have a higher level of education and expertise, which is worth more in the legal marketplace, than a legal assistant or legal secretary. VCC has an excellent reputation among local employers, and in fact offers one of the most well-recognized Paralegal programs in British Columbia.
Litigation paralegals, take note: ICBC provides Level I billing status in ICBC-related cases to all VCC Paralegal Certificate and Diploma graduates, insuring premium income and work opportunities for our hard-working Certificate graduates.
Q: Does ICBC (the provinical insurance corporation) recognize VCC gradutes for billing status?
A: Yes. VCC Certificate graduates, litigation, earn premium Level I Billing status on ICBC cases immediately upon graduation. Certificate graduates can bill out their time at a higher level, insuring higher income and better work opportunities for all Litigation paralegal graduates.
A: All our classes are taught by lawyers or Senior Paralegals with years of hands-on experience in the legal field.
Q: How do Program costs compare?
A: Course fees at Vancouver Community College are among the lowest in the province, as much as 35 per cent lower overall than for a comparable program at a local public college, university-college or institute.
Paralegal courses cost about $250 per course. For specifics, visit the Paralegal Program area at the VCC College website, scroll down to "Required Courses", select a course, and and view dates, times, fees,and registration options.
Q: What about disabled students?
A: Vancouver Community College welcomes students with diverse talents and abilities. View the VCC website for services to disabled students.
Q: What kind of work can a Paralegal Certificate graduate expect to do in a law office?
A: A Paralegal is generally considered to have a higher level of education and expertise, and is more likely to operate with great independence and autonomy on the job, as compared with a legal assistant or legal secretary.
Some of the tasks that Paralegals perform include:
interviewing clients and witnesses.
Paralegals work directly under the supervision of a Lawyer and play a valuable role in assisting Lawyers to service clients. In British Columbia, Paralegals are usually also expected to assist Lawyers when requested with routine administrative tasks such as typing, photocopying and filing.
Q: What kind of people enroll in the VCC Paralegal program?
When you sit down to a VCC Paralegal course, you'll be joining a diverse student population with worldwide experience and a rich variety of legal backgrounds.
Both men and women join our program, and many of our students are bilingual, with primary languages including Cantonese, Farsi, Spanish, and various Eastern European languages as well as American and Canadian English. You can expect to connect with adult students of all ages, in all areas of law, from large firms to small solos, from government offices to corporate legal departments, from independent associations to specialty boutiques, in your VCC Paralegal courses.
A: One of the most practical classes I have ever taken. I used my new knowledge the very next day at work!
I found this class particularly interesting and stimulating. I had a very good impression both in terms of approach to the matter and involvement of the students. Moreover, over 80% of my class mates already work in a law firm, which confirms my idea about the usefulness of the program. . . .I look forward to the next classes.
The Paralegal program has substantially increased my appreciation and knowledge in the legal field, providing me with such a solid foundation. I look forward to contining my paralegal studies in this program!
Every day my boss is amazed at what I have learned . . . Thank you for making this subject a career passion!
A wonderful instructor; like a breath of fresh air.
I asked the lawyer I work for, and he said that he thinks the online learning format is great.
Very personable instructor. Made what could have been a very dry topic engaging.
I really enjoyed this class and the previous classes!
Q: What about higher education?
A: Students completing the VCC Paralegal Diploma program may wish to consider the following VCC opportunities:
View the VCC website for details.
VCC Paralegal Certificate and Diploma graduates receive partial credit toward entrance to a Bachelor's Degree, Professional Arts: Governance, Law and Management OR Bachelor's Degree, Professional Arts: Criminal Justice, at Athabasca University. View Transfer Credit Notes for details and contact information.
Capilano University in North Vancouver is also preparing to provide a Bachelor's degree in Paralegal studies, to which VCC Paralegal graduates may receive credit. Contact Capilano University for further information.
A: Most of our students are working full time in the field, and our pay-as-you-go course fee system means an affordable program with workable payment expectations. Interested students may download the CS VCC Bursary Application for financial aid information. The Bursary submission deadline is December 1 of each year, with bursary provision announcements in late January.
To reduce costs, consider buying or selling used textbooks on the MyVcc.ca website under Forums, Buy-and-Sell. Be sure to note edition and publication dates. Also feel free to view texts on reserve at the VCC library.
Are you a member of the B.C. Paralegal Association? If not, think it over. Student membership fees are only $25 a year, and the BCPA awards a $500 Scholarship every Spring to a VCC Paralegal student in good standing who is also a BCPA member. Interested BCPA members should contact the VCC Program Coordinator.
A: Thinking about applying? Here are some ideas to learn more about whether the VCC Paralegal Certificate and Diploma Program is for you.
* Register for a class. Students may register as a non-Certificate student, provided that they meet the pre-requisites for the course they are applying for. Our Core courses require at least one year on the job legal support staff experience. Students who are formally admitted at a later time will receive credit toward their Certificate.
* Attend an Orientation session for "Tips and Tricks for Success" in the Paralegal Program. Meet the Program Coordinator, learn application procedures, view course updates, and learn about other legal education alternatives at Vancouver Community College. (The "Tips and Tricks" seminar is offered free of charge.)
* View our Online Orientation for program information and application procedures.
Welcome
Program Design
Upon completion of the Paralegal Certificate and Diploma Programs, students will be able to:
understand essential legal concepts relevant for the role of a Paralegal; and