Program Overview

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Certificate in Legal Administrative Studies

Our career-focused, hands-on program introduces you to a number of different areas of law, developing a wide range of highly transferable skills to ensure your success in the workplace.

You’ll learn how to prepare legal documents and work with our experienced instructors, who will prepare you for a rewarding career in a variety of professional environments.

Why Become a Legal Administrative Assistant?

The legal industry is a growing sector, attracting people from all walks of life looking for stable, meaningful employment. There are lots of jobs out there for legal administrative assistants and it is a great steppingstone to a career as a paralegal.

And you don't have to be confined working for private law firms or the courthouse. The law reaches all industries, giving you the flexibility build your career in any sector you want.

Who studies Legal Administration?

Whether you're straight out of high school, wanting to rejoin the workforce, or looking to switch careers the Legal Administrative Assistant Program is open to anyone who has an interest in law.

Successful legal administrative assistants are self-starters with good communication skills, strong organizational skills, and exceptional professionalism. They're also patient and compassionate.

Legal assistants use these skills daily to do everything from greeting clients and answering phones to scheduling trial dates and managing a lawyer's calendar.

Program Details

The Legal Administrative Assistant Program is offered as a full time, cohort program. Your cohort has no more than 35 students, ensuring a supportive environment that allows you to transition into university studies and connect one-on-one with our expert faculty.

We'll introduce you to a number of different areas of law, including family law, corporate law, civil litigation, and wills and estates, and teach you general office procedures, corporate records, and conveyancing.

You'll work with our experienced instructors, many of whom are or have been practicing lawyers. You’ll get hands-on experience, preparing legal documents and court forms using client simulations so you'll feel like you're already working at a law firm. In addition, you'll become knowledgeable in your word processing skills.

The program also features a built-in practicum where you’ll gain real experience and make valuable industry connections. Plus, you can use courses in this program as electives in a number of degree programs, should you wish to further your studies.

Our program commences in the Fall of each year and is offered full time (8 months) at KPU Surrey.

Tuition

Tuition will vary by course and program. Our tuition estimator will give you an approximate cost of the tuition for your favored program.

Fees

There are mandatory student fees that you are subject too. In addition to tuition and fees, there may be other fees and program costs to consider.

Student Awards and Financial Assistance

Student Awards and Financial Assistance provides information about student loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid offered by KPU and our external partners.

Career Outcomes

According to the latest WorkBC Labour Market Outlook, Legal Administrative Assistants are listed as a 'high opportunity occupations', with many jobs available. As the industry grows, this trend is set to continue.

Legal Administrative Assistants are among the highest paid office assistants in B.C. and have many opportunities for career progression, such as becoming a paralegal.

We have great connections with the legal industry and the program has a good reputation with law firms. Our graduates have gone on to find employment in a variety of workplaces including law firms, courts, correctional facilities, government offices, and legal departments of various organizations and corporations.

Our Faculty

Many of our instructors are practicing lawyers or having practiced law or are legal professionals. Meet the team!

Alia Somji

Alia joined the School of Business at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2015. Along with teaching, Alia is a lawyer in private practice and specializes in Family Law and Wills & Estates Law.

Colleen Formisano

Colleen joined Kwantlen Polytechnic University from Northumbria University in England. At Northumbria, Colleen was Programme Leader of the Legal Practice Course (Commercial Route) and accrued a total of five years teaching experience.

Lynda Wendland

Lynda has many years of experience in the law firm environment and initially started her career as a legal assistant, supporting lawyers in a variety of practice areas.