Program Overview

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Legal Assistant

About

Get ready to take on a key role in a law office, a corporate legal department, or the judicial system. Legal assistants have superior computer skills, excellent attention to detail and proofreading skills, effective time management, prioritization, and an understanding of confidentiality. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential in this position. The Legal Assistant Capstone course brings theory and practice together in a law office simulation. Expected keyboarding speed at the end of this program is 60 words per minute.

Time Commitment

This 5-term diploma program can be completed as quickly as 18 months (including field placement).

A standard course load is 5 courses per term. Students can maintain full-time status with at least 3 courses. Taking less than 5 courses per term will take longer to complete the program.

Learning Options

Courses are offered both in-person and online. Please note that not all courses may be available each semester. For assistance with program planning, consult with the Academic Advising Team.

Field Placement (Mandatory)

A mandatory field placement is a requirement of the program. Mandatory field placement is a 3-credit, unpaid, 4-week work experience that occurs at the end of your program. To be eligible for mandatory field placement, you need to finish your coursework and complete all pre-placement requirements.

Admission Requirements

• Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
• Credit in a Grade 10 math (excluding Math 10-4 and Math 16 levels)

or

Successful completion of the General Educational Development test (GED) that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:

• Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score
• Math Test: 450 minimum score

or

• Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test

Transferability

Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution to which you apply.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

Academic Upgrading

Enhance your previous education to meet the missing admissions requirements for one of the BVC programs.

Available Intakes

• September 2025
• January 2026

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Students

Term	Tuition Fees	Additional Fees	Total Fees*
Term 1	$2,575	$605	$3,180
Term 2	$2,416	$605	$3,021
Term 3	$2,416	$605	$3,021
Term 4	$2,370	$605	$2,975
Term 5	$520	$605	$1,125

International Students

Term	Tuition Fees	Additional Fees	Total Fees*
Term 1	$6,920	$605	$7,525
Term 2	$6,555	$605	$7,160
Term 3	$6,816	$605	$7,421
Term 4	$7,077	$605	$7,682
Term 5	$1,374	$605	$1,979

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

Term 1

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
ADMN1101	Introduction to Professional Keyboarding	3
LEGL1201	Introduction to the Legal Profession	3
LEGL1401	Legal Document Processing I	3
LEGL1501	Litigation I	3

Earn a minimum grade of B- in each of the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
MGMT1201	Business Communication	3

Term 2

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
LEGL1502	Litigation II	3
LEGL1602	Real Estate Law I	3
LEGL2105	Criminal Law for Legal Assistants	3

Earn a minimum grade of B- in each of the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
ADMN1102	Advanced Professional Keyboarding	3
LEGL1402	Legal Document Processing II	3

Term 3

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
ADMN1203	Business Technology	3
LEGL1603	Real Estate Law II	3
LEGL2101	Corporate Law	3
LEGL2103	Family Law	3
LEGL2104	Wills & Estates	3

Term 4

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
LEGL2102	Commercial Law	3
LEGL2601	Credit & Collections	3
LEGL2301	Communication Skills for the Legal Assistant	3
LEGL2702	Legal Assistant Procedures	3

Earn a minimum grade of B- in each of the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
LEGL2703	Legal Assistant Office Simulation	3

Term 5

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
LEGL2998	Field Placement for Legal Assistants	3