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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.

CapU paralegal instructor teaching a class.

Learn from experienced lawyers and paralegals

Instructors in the Paralegal Diploma have years of expertise across the legal field and provide guidance and mentorship as you build your skills.

Career paths

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

Six-month paid practicum placement

The final stage of your Paralegal Diploma is a six-month work placement in a law firm, government law department, corporate law department or other law-related setting, supervised by an experienced lawyer. 

In the placement, you'll carry out the responsibilities of an entry-level paralegal, working on meaningful projects and having the opportunity to test the skills you've gained in the program. 

 

CapU's School of Legal Studies will prepare you for careers in administrative and paralegal services at law firms and a range of other employers.

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Contact us

For more information about the Paralegal Diploma program at CapU, contact the School of Legal Studies today.

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Information sessions

Make sure you plan ahead by bookmarking this calendar of program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Sep 3, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Sep 3, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

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

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

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

New Students

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

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

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:

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.

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.

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

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

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.

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

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 $6,489 $1,746 $8,235
Year 2 $7,079 $1,746 $8,825
Total $13,568 $3,492 $17,060
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $22,995 $1,746 $24,741
Year 2 $25,085 $1,746 $26,831
Total $48,080 $3,492 $51,572

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

Required Courses

First Term

Total credits: 18.00

Required:
LAW 101Introduction to Law3.00 credits
LAW 110Legal Analysis3.00 credits
LAW 115Legal Document Processing3.00 credits
LAW 200Torts I3.00 credits
LAW 210Legal Research3.00 credits
LAW 220Litigation Procedures I3.00 credits

 

Second Term

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
LAW 130Criminal Law3.00 credits
LAW 140Family Law and Procedures3.00 credits
LAW 201Torts II3.00 credits
LAW 230Evidence3.00 credits
LAW 240Estates and Procedures3.00 credits

 

Third Term

Total credits: 16.50

Required:
LAW 300Contracts I3.00 credits
LAW 310Legal Drafting3.00 credits
LAW 315Legal Interviewing3.00 credits
LAW 400Insurance Law I3.00 credits
LAW 440Real Property3.00 credits
LAW 442Conveyancing Procedures1.50 credits

 

Fourth Term

Total credits: 19.50

Required:
LAW 301Contracts II3.00 credits
LAW 340Company Law3.00 credits
LAW 342Corporate Procedures1.50 credits
LAW 420Litigation Procedures II3.00 credits
LAW 425Law Office Procedures1.50 credits
LAW 450Intellectual Property3.00 credits
LAW 498Practicum4.50 credits

Total program credits: 69.00

Additional information

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.

How to Declare

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

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
Library Building, room LB152

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