|
Program Requirements:
To graduate from the Paralegal Certificate Program, students must complete:
- Level 1 "Core" Courses - ALL Level 1 Core Courses (6 courses);
- Level 2 "Practice Area" Courses - Choose a Practice Area and complete all Level 2 Practice Area courses in your selected field of study (4 courses);
- Electives - Complete the equivalent of 2 courses; and
- Practicum - a 12 week Practicum.
Check the Course Details page for a list of all courses and scroll to the right to view textbook requirements and which term each course is offered during the year. This will assist you in planning your curriculum.
Students usually take about 2 years of part time study to complete the above Certificate Program requirements.
Admission Recommendations:
To assist you with your application for Formal Admission, please review the following. These skills are paramount for success both in the Paralegal program and in the paralegal job market. Prior to applying for Formal Admission to the Paralegal Program, we strong recommend:
- respect for the rigidly hierarchical system of authority on which the legal profession is based;
- highly competent legal secretarial skills;
- a typing speed of at least 60 wpm;
- excellent internet capabilities, including at least the ability to send and receive email and attachments, conduct searches, and manage files;
- the ability to be highly detail oriented;
- excellent writing skills; and
- an exceptional work ethic.
Admission Policies:
There are two types of students enrolled in our courses:
A."Non-Certificate" Students
If you have legal secretary work experience, you can take courses in the Paralegal Program without being "Formally Admitted" to the Program.
Any courses that you take under this open door policy will be credited towards your Certificate if you decide to become "Formally Admitted" at some future point.
If you decide to take courses under this open door policy, please ensure that you meet the pre-requisites for the individual courses.
B. "Certificate" Students
If you wish to graduate from the Paralegal Certificate Program, you must be "Formally Admitted" to the Program. We welcome Program Applications year-round!
If you have questions about the procedures below, you should contact the Program Co-ordinator to discuss your particular situation.
FORMAL ADMISSION PROCEDURES:
To make an application for "Formal Admission" to the Paralegal Certificate Program, you must take the following steps:
1. Meet our English Requirement.
Knowledge of the English language, demonstrated by completion of ONE of the following:
A. Grade 12 graduation from a Canadian highschool, or equivalent, including academic English 12 with at least C+ (64%), or equivalent; OR
B. Completion of an English or writing course from a Canadian College or University, or equivalent, with at least C+ (64%), or equivalent; OR
C. Completion of VCC High School Equivalence English courses with a "B" grade or higher; OR
D. English assessment success, including ONE of the following:
- For persons with English as a first language:
* LET (Langara English Test) with a 4 overall; OR
* LPI (UBC Language Proficiency Exam) with an Essay Level of 4, essay score of at least 22; and a 5 minimum in English Usage;
OR
* VCC Adult Basic English Reading and Writing Assessment with a minimum score of 60 in Reading, 52 in Writing, and a Writing Sample at 071 placement level.
- For persons with English as a second language:
* VCC English Language Assessment with a minimum score of 145 overall, including a minimum score of 16 out of 20 in the essay portion; OR
* IELTS (International English Language Testing System Academic with 6.5 overall; OR
* TOEFL (Test of English Foreign Language) computer based with 220 minimum overall, with a minimum of 5.0 on Essay. If Internet-based, the Reading, Writing and Listening component must total at least 60.
Proof of the above prerequisites (i.e. official transcript or official test results) must be attached to the student’s application. Students wishing to improve their English skills may also investigate the OACP Business English courses (for native English speakers) or the Advanced English ELS programs to polish your skills.
2. Meet the legal / analytical skill requirement.
Understanding of legal / analytical concepts, demonstrated by completion of ONE of the following:
At least one year experience as a legal support staff person, legal administrative assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal; OR
Successful completion of the VCC Legal Administrative Assistant ("LAA") Program (or the equivalent at another institution). This is the BEST option for those wishing to find a job in the field, as early as possible; OR
At least one year office experience in the past 10 years, plus University or College graduation, plus successful completion of the VCC Office Administration Certificate Program Legal Office Skills Courses 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117, and 1120 (if not available, contact the Program Coordinator for options); OR
Successful completion of the VCC Office Administration Certificate Program with a specialty in Legal Office Skills; OR
Successful completion of a law degree from Canada, the United States, England, Australia, or any other Common Law jurisdiction (official transcript required).
For questions about admission policies, contact the Program Co-ordinator. 3. Complete the Paralegal Program Application Form.
The Program Application Form for Continuing Studies assists us with assessing your suitability for the Paralegal Program. You may fill out the form online and send it by mail. Include documentation of your English writing skills as well and Legal Analytical skills, as noted above.
4. Prepare Application Fee payment.
The College imposes a $30 Application Fee for the Paralegal program. Check or money order can be remitted to "Vancouver Community College." Cash or credit card is also accepted with application documents at the Continuing Education office, room 203.
5. Submit application documents and application fee in one package to the Program Co-Ordinator for review. When submitting your Program Application, please ensure to include all applicable original documentation plus application fee.
Please send your documentation to:
Attention: Program Co-Ordinator
Paralegal Programs
Centre for Continuing and Professional Studies
Vancouver Community College
250 West Pender Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA, V6B 1S9
Hand delivery may be submitted with payment to Room 203.
After you submit your Program Application documents to us, we will evaluate your Program Application and send a letter to you by mail, usually within 10 days.
We will only process your Program Application if your documentation is complete. If a portion of your documentation is missing, we will return your entire Program Application to you for completion.
International Students:
We welcome visiting students and long-distance learners. Contact VCC International if you wish to take courses as an international student. Students who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are subject to course registration fees at a rate of 150% of the posted rates.
International students are requested to telephone their registrations to the Registration Line at (604) 443-8484. See "Welcome" page for details.
Practicum:
Certificate students are required to complete a Practicum, which is approximately 500-hours (12 weeks) of work experience under the supervision of a qualified Lawyer or Notary. Students typically complete the practicum at their work location, while completing their regular duties.
The Practicum may be commenced after the completion of most or all “Level 1 – Core Courses” or within 12 months of completion of coursework, unless approval for an extension has been applied for in writing and the extension has been granted by the Program Coordinator.
Practicum students are expected to attend three classes on the first, mid-point, and last evening of the 12 week practicum. Check the College registration website for all three class dates, and bring your signed Practicum Application form on the first day.
- The Learning Objectives of the Practicum:
Upon completion of Practicum, students will be able to:
- apply legal knowledge gained in course work to a legal office setting;
- demonstrate the ability to take on the role of a Paralegal; and
- display their skills to current or prospective employers.
- Practicum Placements:
Students must arrange their own Practicum placement. A Lawyer or Notary must agree to serve as supervisor of the Practicum. Students who are already employed at a law firm or notary office are expected to complete their Practicum at their existing job.
- Registering for Practicum:
Students are required to submit a completed
Practicum Application Form to the Practicum Instructor, on the first day of the Practicum course or to the website, if you are taking the course online. You must also register for Practicum just like any other course. Please check the Course Schedule for the start dates and the three evening meeting dates of the Practicum.
- The Role of the Practicum Instructor:
At the first Practicum meeting, the Practicum Instructor will provide the students with the Practicum requirements.
At the half way point in Practicum, students will meet again with the Practicum Instructor to discuss progress. At the end of the Practicum, the Practicum Instructor will review the students' performance, and grade the practicum as satisfactory, unsatisfactory or incomplete.
Please note that attendance at the first and mid-term Practicum session is mandatory.
- Responsibilities of Student:
The student will be expected to:
- Select a practicum site and complete the Practicum Application form.
- Register for the practicum, as for any other course.
- Seek feedback from the Practicum Sponsor as professional issues arise.
- Participate in all Practicum meetings.
- Responsibilities of the Supervising Lawyer or Notary (the Practicum Sponsor):
The Paralegal practicum is specifically structured so it does not interfere with the student's on-the-job responsibilities.
The employer's only concrete obligation is to fill out a one-page evaluation at the mid-term, and then again at the end. As long as it is generally at a paralegal level, the nature of the work is up to the employer.
The student is expected to register for practicum just like any other class, and attend several evening sessions. The responsibility to meet practicum expectations are entirely up to the student.
Have your employer get in touch if there are further questions or concerns.
After all courses are complete and all marks submitted, students must submit a "Request for Certificate" to insure their Certificate status.
|
