Acquire the skills and knowledge to work with legal documents relating to corporate law, conveyancing, litigation, family law, wills, and estates.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Create, edit, print, store and retrieve legal documents and correspondence
- Perform legal administrative assistant duties and procedures in the areas of corporate law, conveyancing, litigation, family law, and wills and estates
- Apply time management principles and set priorities
- Analyze and solve problems independently and collaboratively
- Communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality
- Perform keyboarding, proofreading and transcription skills accurately and effectively
- Demonstrate effective job search techniques to meet career goals
- Acquire skills and knowledge of legal office procedures, legal terminology, court systems, legal record-keeping, and the process of billing clients
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Legal Administrative Assistant Program is 25 weeks of full-time study. Students must complete the certificate within three years.
The Legal Administrative Assistant Program is offered as a full-time blended or online delivery program. This intensive certificate program has emphasis on practical skills training including keyboarding and document production. Students will work individually and in groups. Both practical and theoretical knowledge may be supported with field trips and guest presenters.
The last two weeks of the program are comprised of the practicum component which provides students with opportunities to apply skills learned in the program and engage in work integrated learning in a legal environment.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
- English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
- English 12 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
or - English Language Proficiency at an English 12 ‘C’ level
- English 12 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word as demonstrated by one of the following:
- Completion of the Administrative Professional Certificate program, or equivalent
- Completion of an introductory computer course in MS Word, or equivalent experience
- Evidence of a minimum one year of administrative experience (including the use of MS Word)
- Typing speed of 50 gross words per minute with 98% accuracy on a proctored 5-minute test
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.
Program Considerations
- Due to the heavy emphasis on communication and the consequences of error, strong English fluency skills are strongly recommended.
- Ability to accept responsibility, to plan and reason logically, and to prioritize effectively
- Ability to follow instructions and work under pressure
- Good organizational skills
- Adaptability to change
- Ability to work cooperatively with others
- Competency in business arithmetic
Courses *
Classes are generally held on Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except during the practicum when students work Monday through Friday for the hours assigned by the practicum host.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OADM 1140 | Computer Applications for Legal Administrative Assistants | 2.5 |
| OADM 1150 | Office Procedures for Legal Administrative Assistants | 3.5 |
| OADM 1160 | Corporate Law for Legal Administrative Assistants | 3.5 |
| OADM 1170 | Conveyancing for Legal Administrative Assistants | 4.5 |
| OADM 1180 | Career Development | 1.0 |
| OADM 1190 | Civil Litigation for Legal Administrative Assistants | 3.5 |
| OADM 1250 | Family Law for Legal Administrative Assistants | 3.5 |
| OADM 1260 | Wills and Probates for Legal Administrative Assistants | 3.5 |
| OADM 1270 | Practicum Readiness | 1.0 |
| OADM 1456 | Legal Administrative Assistant Practicum | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28.5 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The College reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 15618 | |
| Student union | 73 | |
| College initiative | 91 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 157 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
| U-PASS | 235 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 892 | |
| Total |
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
Please note that even though the program is 5 months, a valid study permit is required as there is a mandatory practicum placement in the program which would require both a study permit and a co-op work permit.