Program Highlights
CapU’s Paralegal Diploma graduates work for law firms, in-house counsel and government agencies under the supervision of a lawyer, performing interesting and rewarding substantive and procedural legal work.
The Paralegal Diploma program is designed for students who have already completed at least of two years of post-secondary education or equivalent learning experience and are offered:
- Full-time (two years) – courses are taken in-person during the day; or
- Part-time (five years) – courses are taken online in the evenings or asynchronously (two courses per term, on average) – this option is available starting Fall 2023 and has been developed for students who live outside the lower mainland.
Both options have a September intake and have the same admission and course requirements.
Courses in the paralegal diploma focus on practical, applied legal training, with classes in several distinct areas of practice, including legal analysis, document processing and drafting, research, litigation procedures, torts, family law, law office procedures, contracts, real estate and legal interviewing.
- Demonstrate the ability to examine various legal problems by identifying appropriate areas of the law and sources to consult in commencing the process of legal analysis.
- Demonstrate competence in researching legislation, case law and other secondary legal materials.
- Summarize legal research findings in appropriate legal formats with clear and compelling analysis and conclusions.
- Demonstrate competence in effective communication in legally relevant contexts such as presentations of case summaries, interviewing clients, and group presentations.
- Prepare, draft and produce legal documents, including pleadings and other court documents, wills, corporate documents, or real estate documents.
- Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to identify legal issues in a broad range of areas through an exposure to a variety of legal subjects.
Admission Requirements
English language requirements
English is the language of instruction at CapU. All applicants are required to demonstrate competence in the English language prior to admission.
If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English, you must meet our English Language Requirements.
Basic requirements
- High school graduation
- English 100 level or higher course (B- or higher) or
- CMNS 159 (B+ or higher) or
- LPI exam (level 5 or higher) or
- CAEL (70 or higher)
- One of the following:
- Two years full-time post-secondary education (with an academic focus) or
- One 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
Program-specific requirements
- Resume
- Short handwritten essay
- Two letters of reference
Additional information
- Short handwritten essay (three pages, double-spaced) entitled, “Why I Want to Become a Paralegal”
- Two letters of reference (preferably from past employers or college/university instructors)
- The School of Legal Studies will review applications once the application package is complete. The applicant may be called for an interview if they meet the admission requirements.
- Although not required, work experience in an office setting and a good working knowledge of computers are highly recommended
- Please note: In the School of Legal Studies the EDT is not accepted in place of the LPI or CAEL
Program Requirements
Total program credits: 69.00
Program Notes
Continuation Requirement: Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 (C) will not be permitted to continue in the program.
Graduation Requirement: Students must complete all courses in the curriculum and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or higher in order to graduate.