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
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
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 *
Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. with the exception of practicum experiences.
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 *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 7165 | |
| Student union | 73 | |
| College initiative | 86 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 287 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 235 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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† 2018 Job Bank wage data