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Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Western Community College > Programs > Legal Studies > Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Program Overview

Paralegals assist lawyers in preparing cases. They also carry out administrative functions, and may on occasion undertake preliminary legal research work, under the supervision of a lawyer. This program will help students discover the challenges offered by a career as a paralegal. It will also provide them with more than just legal facts and theories. Included in the program is 600 hours of paid co-op experience. Students will have the opportunity to study substantive, procedural, and paralegal skills courses and apply theory into practice.

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Contact our admissions team today or request information on upcoming program start dates.

Western Community College’s Diploma in Paralegal Studies provides students with an affordable, high quality education into this exciting profession.

Job Opportunities

This program prepares graduates for careers as:

  • Paralegals
  • Legal Administrative Assistants

Wages

Earn up to $48.00* as a Paralegal
All wages are taken from the Canada Job Bank

Program Admission Requirements

Grade 12 or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or more).

Language Proficiency Requirements:

To demonstrate language proficiency, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Option 1: Secondary Education Evidence that three years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12) have been successfully completed in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. This includes successful completion of a BC Adult Graduation program.

Option 2: Post-Secondary Education Evidence that two years of full-time post-secondary education have been completed in the program’s language of instruction at an accredited institution in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages. Language development (ELL) courses cannot be included.

Option 3: Standardized Language Test Achievement of minimum scores on a recognized standardized language test:

Name of English language assessment/test Minimum score(s)/level(s)*
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT Minimum overall score of 46
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) Minimum overall score of 40
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
Duolingo English Test (DET) Minimum overall score of 95
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Minimum overall score of 43
Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)).
Minimum overall score of
160 or “C”
Cambridge Linguaskill Minimum overall B2 level
LANGUAGECERT Academic Minimum overall B2 level
The Michigan English Test (MET) Minimum overall B2 level
iTEP Academic Minimum overall score of 3.5
EIKEN Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Accepted Countries for Prior Education The following countries are recognized for education completed in English:

American Samoa Dominica Lesotho St. Kitts & Nevis
Anguilla Falkland Islands Liberia St. Lucia
Fiji Malta St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Australia Gambia Mauritius Tanzania
Bahamas Ghana Montserrat Trinidad & Tobago
Barbados Gibraltar New Zealand Turks & Caicos Islands
Belize Grenada Nigeria Uganda
Bermuda Guam Seychelles United Kingdom
Botswana Guyana Sierra Leone US Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands Ireland Singapore USA
Canada Jamaica South Africa Zambia
Cayman Islands Kenya St. Helena Zimbabwe

Pathway to British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Students completing the Diploma in Paralegal Studies at Western Community College who achieve the required academic standing and meet the required admissions criteria will be eligible for admission into the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to enter the second year of the Advanced Diploma in Business Management and get 1 year Post Graduate Work Permit*.

Request Information

Program Pathway

(1 year) Diploma in Paralegal Studies at Western Community College

Transfer to 2nd Year

(1 year) at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Advanced Diploma in Business Management (option to continue on with BBA)

1 year

Post Graduate Work Permit/td>

Program Duration

1950 hours/74 weeks

Course Outline

Diploma in Paralegal Studies * Contact Hours
1 GSC185 Orientation to Study 50
2 ENG106 Interpersonal Communications Skills 50
3 ICT180 Information and Communications Technology 50
4 PLA218 Introduction to the Canadian Legal System 100
5 PLA221 Law Office Procedures 50
6 PLA271 Paralegal Writing 50
7 PLA272 Legal Document Drafting 50
8 PLA273 Legal Research Methods 50
9 PLA352 Torts 50
10 LAW254 Business and Corporate Law 100
11 PLA355 Real Property 50
12 PLA389 Legal Interviewing and Communication 50
13 PLA357 Wills, Probate and Estates 50
14 PLA364 Insurance Law 50
15 PLA380 Contract Law 50
16 PLA451 Evidence 50
17 PLA452 Issues in Litigation 100
18 PLA456 Family Law 50
19 PLA466 Criminal Law 50
20 PLA467 Intellectual Property 50
21 GSC210 Career Development Strategies 50
21 DRS500 Directed Research 50
22 PLA599 Paralegal Co-op  Education 100
Program Contact Hours: 1350
Co-op Hours: 600

Fee Structure

# PARTICULARS FEE REMARKS
1 Tuition Fee $15600 Domestic Students
2 Application Fee $250
3 Text Books $750
4 Course Materials $250
Total $16850
1 Tuition Fee $22425 International Students
2 Application Fee $500
3 Text Books $750
4 Course Materials $250
Total $23,925

This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Financial Assistance

Western Community College offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to ease students’ stress and allow them to focus on their studies. If you need extra support, we have flexible funding to accommodate all our students, no matter their financial situation.

  • BC Student Loan
  • In-house Financing
  • Student Line of Credit
  • Scholarships

Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.

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Why Study at Western Community College

  • Installment-based, low tuition fee.
  • 100% Practicum Placement
  • Weekday, weekend, and evening classes optionally available
  • Part-time or full-time class schedule
  • Free CLB preparation classes * Conditions Apply
  • Graduate employment rate: 97%

Admissions Contact Information

Mon – Sunday 9:00A.M. – 5:00P.M.

Surrey, BC

Unit 201 8318 120 St
Surrey, BC V3W 3N4

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Unit 900 13761 96 Ave,
Surrey, BC V3V 0E8

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Abbotsford, BC

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Abbotsford, BC V2T 5W8

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