This two year program prepares students to work within the legal profession as a highly skilled adinistrative professional providing support to lawyers within law firms, legal departments of corporations and government agencies. Students will develop knowledge and skills in legal terminology and procedures, technology, and communication through the following learning outcomes:

• complete processes and documents related to default judgments and contested actions, collections and chambers applications
• complete processes, searches, documents, and letters related to a variety of real estate purchases and sales
• create wills and power of attorney, personal directives and applications for trusteeship and guardianship
• complete applications for probate and administration
• complete processes and documents for application for divorce, custody, access, support and matriomnial property pursuant to the various family law statutes
• register a variety of types of businesses, and prepare and maintain a corporate minute book
• demonstrate a basic understanding of the Canadian legal system
• demonstrate a basic understanding of criminal law
• identify compontnets of contracts and assemble selected contracts
• create messages, letters and documents with appropriate style and format, using correct grammar and spelling. Proofread and edit own work and the work of others
• complete math calculations common to a law office
• demonstrate technical competence related to information technology commonly used in legal enfironments
• use interpersonal communication skills to promote positive client relations, resolve conflict and promote a positive team working environment
• demonstrate initiative, attitude and positive presentation of self, appropriate to the legal enfironments
• behave in an ethical manner based on the Code of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta
• demonstrate job search skills
• locate, evaluate, select, organize and summarize information using appropriate resources
• identify common problems encountered in the role of legal assistant and demonstrate problem solving strategies
• demonstrate time management and organizational skills.

A minimum of 50% in ELA 30-1 or 65% in ELA 30-2, or equivalent,

OR

a minimum score at the 50th percentile on the English component of the College Board Placement Test or the Test of Adult Basic Education and a score of 2 or higher on a writing sample.

Note: Applicants are advised that they are exempt from the Communication Course Placement Testing as COMM 150 and COMM 250 are program requirements.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Note: It is to your advantage to have basic keyboarding and grammar before beginning the Program.

Note: Applicants are advised that they may be required to provide a Criminal Record Check to some agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a Criminal Record may affect practicum placement and program completion therefore impact future employment prospects. It is each agency's or institution's decision to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check.

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Year 1

• COMM 150 Fundamentals of College and Workplace Writing
• COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing
• LEGL 100 Beginning Keyboarding
• LEGL 105 Introduction to the Canadian Legal System
• LEGL 110 Litigation I
• LEGL 115 Litigation II
• LEGL 120 Corporate Law
• LEGL 125 Contracts
• LEGL 130 Real Estate I
• LEGL 135 Business Keyboarding
• LEGL 140 Introductory Information Processing for the Legal Assistant
• LEGL 145 Criminal Law

Year 2

• LEGL 200 Professional and Interpersonal Skills
• LEGL 205 Estate Planning
• LEGL 210 Litigation III
• LEGL 215 Litigation IV
• LEGL 220 Intermediate Information Processing for the Legal Assistant
• LEGL 225 Estate Administration
• LEGL 230 Real Estate II
• LEGL 235 Real Estate III
• LEGL 240 Family Law
• LEGL 245 Technology Integration for the Legal Assistant
• LEGL 250 Practicum

LEGL 250 Practicum is usually completed during May and June following the second year.