Paralegal

The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) accredits this program. Upon completion you will be eligible to write the mandatory LSUC licensing examination that is required to practice as a paralegal in Ontario. During your time in this School of Business program, you will gain theoretical and practical experience, practicing and competing in mock tribunals. Additionally, the final Paralegal program semester will be entirely devoted to a two-day-per-week work placement that will give you a total of 210 hours of placement time. This length is double the experiential learning requirement of the Law Society. In the field, you will be an integral part of the legal system — from the first client meeting until case resolution. You will have the distinction of being allowed to represent clients in criminal code offences, traffic violations, municipal offences, and various boards, agencies, commissions, and tribunals as well as small claims court.

Admission Requirements:

• University degree in any discipline or a two-year or three-year college diploma.
• We will consider applicants who have a partial university degree, and who have a minimum of two years work experience relevant to the program.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of English proficiency

Program Highlights

You will learn in state-of-the-art facilities, such as a mock courtroom on campus that will give you the opportunity to practice in a simulated courtroom setting. You will experience the work of being a paralegal through mock tribunal competitions. Hands-on learning within this School of Business program will include the use of technology systems such as PCLaw, Quicklaw and other legal research tools that support paralegal objectives. Successful Paralegal program students have been highly organized with an ability to plan and prioritize; comfortable with researching tasks; possessed analytical with strong numeracy skills; thrived under pressure and had the ability to meet deadlines; possessed strong interpersonal skills; were innovative problem solvers and decision makers; had the ability to work successfully in a team environment; and adapted easily to technology and current industry computer software. Please note: The qualification requirements and costs for each external accreditation, designation, certification or recognition are set by the granting body — not by Centennial College. In order to qualify for any external accreditations, designations, certifications or recognitions, students and graduates will need to follow the processes and meet the applicable requirements listed on the websites and in the materials of those external bodies.

Career Outlook

• Paralegal Business Owner
• Paralegal for Corporation
• Paralegal Agent

Areas of Employment

• Law firms
• Paralegal firms
• Community legal service
• Government
• Insurance firms
• Self-employed
• Collection Agencies
• Corporations
• Highway Traffic Act offences
• Small Claims Court
• Tribunals
• Provincial
• Minor Criminal Offense Consultants