All you need to know about paralegal courses in Canada

A person who has acquired the necessary education, job experience, and training to practice law is known as a paralegal. Paralegals must understand law and associated legal ideas. Any organization that is permitted by a statutory, administrative, or court authority can employ a licensed paralegal, including attorneys, law firms, governmental bodies, and other organizations. In law firms, paralegals often serve as the support staff. Although they can also work for themselves by offering legal services. They can also provide assistance to one particular lawyer. We will examine some of the best paralegal courses in Canada, their prerequisites, and the application procedure in this blog.

Why study Paralegal courses in Canada?

One of the most popular learning destinations for international students is Canada. Canada’s universities are renowned for their Paralegal programs and superior educational system.

Here are a few reasons for taking Paralegal courses in Canada-

• Canada provides world-class educational resources and courses. There are certain top-tier colleges in Canada that provide specific courses for international students.
• In Canada, there is a huge vacancy for paralegals in a variety of legal fields, including legal research, document compilation, client consultation, and filing court papers or communication. There is an enormous requirement for paralegals, particularly in Nova Scotia and Manitoba.
• Paralegals get well-compensated jobs in Canada with an average salary of 72565.62 CAD. Professionals with experience can make up to 93228.44 CAD.
• Canadian institutions put a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to create practical abilities. By exposing a student to a variety of people and situations, they also improve their communication abilities.

Admission process for paralegal courses in Canada

The standard requirements for admission to paralegal programs in Canada are as follows-

• Depending on the programs offered at the institution or college, pick one to three similar programs. Fill out the online form for international education that is provided by the college.
• Take the TOEFL or IELTS English Language Proficiency Exams.
• Send scanned copies of your transcripts, English language test results, and other application materials to the international admissions team that has been assigned to your location.
• Using your email ID and password, you can monitor the status of your application online or by getting in touch with a member of the regional admissions team.
• Obtain a letter of acceptance or an offer from the university, and pay the tuition before the due date.
• Submit an application for a student permit or visa and attend the visa interview.
• Complete your on-campus registration as soon as your study visa gets approved.

The admission criteria might differ from one university to another.  

Best Paralegal courses in Canada

Following is a list of some of the best paralegal courses in Canada, along with information on the schools that offer them, admission requirements, and costs:

1. Centennial College Graduate Certificate in Paralegal

At Centennial College, the Graduate Certificate in Paralegal degree is a one-year, full-time curriculum. The university was listed as one of the top 10 Canadian research universities. Students can practice being a paralegal in mock trials and moot court competitions thanks to the university’s on-campus mock courthouse. The college has a field placement or employment rate of about 80%. Technologies like Quicklaw, PCLaw, and other tools for legal research are used in the program so that students can get used to the latest technology used in the field.

Eligibility criteria

• Before being admitted, course applicants must fulfill the following entrance requirements-
  • The students must have successfully finished a 2-year college degree or diploma program in any field from accredited schools with a first class.
  • A minimum of two years of professional experience in law or a closely related discipline are required of the student.
  • Language proficiency in English
  • The score on the TOEFL exam must be at least 580 on paper and 88 on the internet.
  • IELTS Academic 6.5 band score with no paper scoring lower than 6.0

Tuition fees

The approximate cost of the course for international students is $23,078.25; in addition, there is an ancillary fee of $2,133.86, which is the cost of the institution’s extracurricular activities and support services.

2. Fanshawe College’s Graduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies

The Law Society of Upper Canada has granted accreditation to the paralegal graduate certificate course at Fanshawe. An individual can earn a paralegal license by passing a licensure exam after successfully completing the course.

The curriculum teaches participants how to conduct appropriately in a legal setting and covers the paralegal’s range of practice, court procedures, and administrative law. The Fanshawe College offers the following relevant paralegal programs

• Fanshawe’s Law Clerk program
• Program for Law Clerks (Co-op)
• Advanced Police Studies at Fanshawe’s
• Court Support Services program

Eligibility criteria

The following criteria must be met in order for an overseas applicant to be admitted to the college-

• A college degree in a related field of law.
• A university degree or other credential granted by a recognized institution.
• A TOEFL score of at least 88 for the internet-based test can serve as proof of one’s ability to speak and understand English (iBT).

Tuition fees

For overseas students, the total cost of the Fanshawe College Graduate Certificate Program is $15,641. A student must also pay for the health and dental plan price, travel costs, and other expenditures in addition to the aforementioned costs.

3. Humber College’s Bachelor of Paralegal Studies

The four-year Bachelor of Paralegal Studies degree at Humber integrates legal theory with real-world applications. The course covers advocacy, consumer law, contract law, tort law, employment law, insurance law, ethics and professional accountability, evidence, negotiation and mediation, and so on. International students might also receive scholarships and fellowships from the college to help pay for their education.

Eligibility criteria

The following criteria are necessary for admission-

• Official transcripts and grades from grade 12 with an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
• High school diploma.
• Monetary and banking statements.

Tuition fees

Overseas students must pay a fee of $19,615.00 for the course. It includes the student union fee, auxiliary fees, and co-op or placement fees.

The eligibility criteria of different colleges might change from time to time.

Other top paralegal courses in Canada include

• Paralegal (graduate certificate) at Durham College. 
• Honors BSocSc In Conflict Studies And Human Rights at the University of Ottawa
• Diploma in Paralegal (PARA) at Loyalist College
•  Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate Program at Algonquin College
• Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate Program at Georgian College
• Ottawa Paralegal Course at Herzing College
• Paralegal (Accelerated) (PLEA) Program and Paralegal (PLE) Program at Seneca College.

Key takeaways

• Paralegals are legal professionals that assist attorneys in court proceedings. Although paralegals are fully qualified to practice law, they lack the necessary credentials. They can work alone or with other lawyers.
• The advantages of selecting a paralegal school in Canada include quality education, great demand, and demand for paralegals. To help students understand and do well in school, Canadian universities put a strong emphasis on the application of theory.
• In Canada, there are many different paralegal programs available, including online paralegal programs, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. You can choose according to your qualifications.

Did you find this blog informative? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Click here to contact us for more information on paralegal courses in Canada. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

Liked this blog? Read next: Canada work visa – Everything you need to know!

FAQ

Q1. What are the courses related to the paralegal field?

Ans- Some of the courses related to the paralegal field are as follows-

• Justice Administration Services Program
• Office Administration – Legal Program
• Bachelors of Arts In Law And Society
• Court Support Services Program
• Advanced Police Studies

Q2. Do I need a law degree to work as a paralegal?

Ans- A law degree is not required to work as a paralegal. However, a lot of employers look for paralegal or legal experience. There are specialized training courses available to provide you with the abilities and knowledge necessary to perform successfully as a paralegal.

Q3. What distinguishes a paralegal from a legal assistant?

Ans- A legal assistant, often known as a litigation assistant, can handle both legal and administrative work. A paralegal assists lawyers by concentrating more on legal tasks and research. Both professions demand familiarity with legal jargon and practices.