Paralegal (Accelerated)

Program Description

This program is designed to prepare you to become a licensed paralegal in accordance with the requirements of the Law Society Act. As a licensed paralegal, you may act in a self-employed capacity and offer specified legal services directly to the public for a fee without the supervision of a lawyer, or you may be a salaried employee in various legal environments.

This program provides training in those areas in which a licensed paralegal may legally practice. In this program, you will acquire an understanding of general principles of law, and receive theoretical and practical training in specific legal subjects, legal ethics and small business practice.

On successful completion of all the elements of LGL201, including full attendance, you’ll receive an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate from the School of Legal and Public Administration.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Substantial completion of an accredited university degree or college diploma.
• Proficiency in English at the College level.
• See Accelerated Delivery Mode Section below.

Applicant Selection:

• Students are required to be highly literate in the English language with good writing and analytical skills to be successful in this accelerated program.
• Applicant selection may include the assessment of English skills/proficiency.

Note: Although not required for admission, a high degree of computer literacy and keyboarding skills at 35 w.p.m. are strongly recommended.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

Accelerate your studies. Your new career begins earlier with our three-semester accelerated Paralegal diploma program which has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to pursue your paralegal licence and explore career opportunities in paralegal firms, private and public sector law departments, law offices, legal clinics and or as a private practitioner.

Accelerated Program

An accelerated, full-time PLE diploma program for those who have already graduated with a degree or diploma.

(The standard program is PLE.)

Accelerated Delivery Mode

The accelerated version of the regular, four-semester diploma program is designed for students who can demonstrate that they have previously achieved the academic equivalents of four general education credits and EAC150. This allows the completion of the professional subjects in the curriculum over a period of three semesters instead of the four that constitute the regular PLE program, plus four weeks for field placement.

Required Keyboarding Speeds

• 50 w.p.m. (net) for graduation

Field Placement

Having met all of the academic requirements, you'll participate in a four-week unpaid field placement following the end of final examinations in third semester. Students being placed in a court or other government setting will have to provide a police clearance certificate.

Licensing Requirements

Effective May 1, 2007, paralegals are required to be licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Note: This program has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada.To obtain a paralegal licence, an individual will need to graduate from an accredited program, pass a licensing examination and be of good character. Please refer to the Law Society website at www.lsuc.on.ca for information regarding the requirements for paralegal licensing. Paralegal application and licensing fees are not included in any fee schedule quoted by Seneca College.

Curriculum

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