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Bachelor of Legal Studies (Paralegal) Degree

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

Talk to a student recruitment advisor
Apply Now

Faculty
Business & Professional Studies

School
School of Legal Studies

Looking for a career in the law? Apply directly from high school and start your paralegal degree training in the Bachelor of Legal Studies program.

CapU’s School of Legal Studies is the only university in Western Canada to offer a degree program for paralegals and graduates of the program are in high demand across the legal profession. 

You'll take core legal studies courses together with general and legal electives. Whether your ultimate goal is to build a valuable and rewarding career as a paralegal, to become a lawyer, to work in other law-related professions, or to do graduate work, this program is your best option.

If you've graduated from CapU's Paralegal Certificate or Paralegal Diploma programs with a minimum B average, you can apply for admission to the Bachelor of Legal Studies (Paralegal) program on a part-time basis during any of the three intake periods (Fall, Spring or Summer).

To learn more about part-time study and how to apply, contact legalstudies@capilanou.ca. 

CapU Paralegal students at a networking event.

Start your paralegal career with a practicum

Prior to graduation, you'll take part in an extensive six-month paid practicum, working in a law firm full-time with experienced lawyers and licensed paralegals to give you an advantage as you move into the workforce.

Career Paths

  • Corporate legal departments
  • Government agencies
  • Law firms
  • Multi-disciplinary paralegal practices
  • Non-profit organizations

Training in vital legal concepts

In the program, you'll take courses in important areas of the law, including criminal law, family law, contracts & legal documents, torts, legal research, litigation, wills and estates, insurance law and real estate.

You will hone your written communication skills and legal terminology to follow all legal service standards before your practicum field placement.

Electives to help you specialize

You'll get to choose from a range of electives to boost your knowledge in unique areas, a few options being constitutional law, arts and entertainment law, animal law, Indigenous People and the law, environmental law and cannabis law.

Capilano University Paralegal graduate Michèle Ross.
“Always continue to develop your skills as a paralegal, even after you complete your studies at CapU. Take advantage of further learning opportunities so that you continue to grow as a paralegal. Embrace your chosen profession.”
Michèle Ross, CapU Paralegal alumni

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Intakes

Fall 2023

Location
North Vancouver

Course load
Full-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 4, 2022 – Sep 5, 2023

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 4, 2023

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 21, 2023

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

Admitted Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,521 $1,691 $6,212
Year 2 $4,579 $1,691 $6,270
Year 3 $6,072 $1,691 $7,763
Year 4 $6,072 $1,691 $7,763
Total $21,244 $6,764 $28,008
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $19,232 $1,691 $20,923
Year 2 $19,291 $1,691 $20,982
Year 3 $21,519 $1,691 $23,210
Year 4 $21,519 $1,691 $23,210
Total $81,561 $6,764 $88,325

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

On this page

Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
LAW 101Introduction to Law3.00 credits
LAW 110Legal Analysis3.00 credits
LAW 115Legal Document Processing3.00 credits
General Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 130Criminal Law3.00 credits
LAW 140Family Law and Procedures3.00 credits
General Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits
Organizational Behaviour 100-level or higher (BADM 106 is recommended)3.00 credits
Quantitative/Analytical Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 200Torts I3.00 credits
LAW 210Legal Research3.00 credits
LAW 220Litigation Procedures I3.00 credits
ENGLEnglish Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits
General Elective 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 201Torts II3.00 credits
LAW 230Evidence3.00 credits
LAW 240Estates and Procedures3.00 credits
General Electives 100-level or higher6.00 credits

 

Fifth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 300Contracts I3.00 credits
LAW 310Legal Drafting3.00 credits
LAW 315Legal Interviewing3.00 credits
LAWLegal Elective 300 or 400-level3.00 credits
General or Legal Elective 300 or 400-level3.00 credits

 

Sixth Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
LAW 301Contracts II3.00 credits
LAW 340Company Law3.00 credits
LAW 342Corporate Procedures1.50 credits
LAWLegal Elective 300 or 400-level6.00 credits
General or Legal Elective 300 or 400-level3.00 credits

 

Seventh Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
LAW 400Insurance Law I3.00 credits
LAW 440Real Property3.00 credits
LAW 442Conveyancing Procedures1.50 credits
LAWLegal Elective 300 or 400-level6.00 credits
General or Legal Elective 300 or 400-level3.00 credits

 

Eighth Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 420Litigation Procedures II3.00 credits
LAW 425Law Office Procedures1.50 credits
LAW 450Intellectual Property3.00 credits
LAW 498Practicum4.50 credits
LAWLegal Elective 300 or 400-level3.00 credits

 

Legal Electives

Choose from the following list:

Legal electives may be chosen from any of the legal electives offered by the School of Legal Studies (see below), and regardless of whether those legal electives existed or were available at the time the student commenced the degree. Please note that legal electives are offered on a rotating basis factoring in demand for particular courses, and will not necessarily be available every year.

LAW 303Criminal Law II3.00 credits
LAW 305Arts and Entertainment Law3.00 credits
LAW 308Sports and Recreation Law3.00 credits
LAW 312Cannabis Law3.00 credits
LAW 317Conflict Resolution3.00 credits
LAW 318Meditation in Law and Business3.00 credits
LAW 320Creditors' Remedies and Procedures3.00 credits
LAW 322Animal Law3.00 credits
LAW 325Constitutional Law3.00 credits
LAW 330Administrative Law3.00 credits
LAW 331Indigenous People and the Law3.00 credits
LAW 335Environmental Law3.00 credits
LAW 341Securities Law3.00 credits
LAW 344Elder Law3.00 credits
LAW 355Immigration Law3.00 credits
LAW 360Labour and Employment Law3.00 credits
LAW 370Modern Themes in Canadian Law3.00 credits
LAW 375Data Protection & Cyber Security Law3.00 credits
LAW 380Tech Startup Law3.00 credits
LAW 389Directed Study I3.00 credits
LAW 401Insurance Law II3.00 credits
LAW 410Legal Advocacy3.00 credits
LAW 415Legal Ethics3.00 credits
LAW 421Civil Litigation3.00 credits
LAW 423E-Discovery3.00 credits
LAW 443Commercial Real Estate Law3.00 credits
LAW 453Financing the Tech Start-Up3.00 credits
LAW 460Public International Law3.00 credits
LAW 461Private International Law3.00 credits
LAW 462International Human Rights Law3.00 credits
LAW 464International Women's Rights Law3.00 credits
LAW 466International Criminal Law3.00 credits
LAW 468International Climate Change Law3.00 credits
LAW 470Philosophy of Law3.00 credits
LAW 489Directed Study II3.00 credits

 

General Electives

Choose from the following list:

General electives may be chosen from any of the Faculties at Capilano University. The following courses are excluded: academic preparation courses (e.g., EAP courses), legal courses in the Legal Administrative Assistant or Paralegal programs that are or were part of the core curriculum in those programs, and practicum, internship or co-operative education courses.

Total program credits: 123.00

Additional information

Students starting in their baccalaureate degree on or after Fall 2018 and graduating on or after June 2022 must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Non-LAW courses may be taken in terms other than the suggested terms in the profile.

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.

Learning outcomes

  • 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.

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar (pdf).

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Legal Studies
604 983 7594
604 990 7808 (fax)
legalstudies@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Birch Building, room BR230

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca

Related Programs

Paralegal Diploma

Paralegal Certificate

Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate