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Professional Legal Assistant
As a legal assistant, you provide specialized support in legal settings, handling legal documentation and research. Learn family law, real estate law, legal software, and more. Get hands-on training through a comprehensive legal assistant program with courses in civil litigation, and corporate law. Our 45-week diploma includes a 5-week practicum, preparing you for a successful career in legal administration.
Credential
Diploma
Duration
45 weeks
Practicum
5 weeks
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Employment Opportunities
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Administrative Assistant
What You Could Earn
Up to $53,331
Benefits
Our Professional Legal Assistant course is eligible for student aid funding; other options available.
Industry-experienced instructors bring firsthand knowledge from actual roles in their fields.
Get specialized knowledge in key areas such as litigation, corporate law, real estate, family law, and wills and estates, required for various legal settings.
Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant program is endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals (AAPP) as meeting its required standards of education.
Start your Professional Legal Assistant diploma online. Access course materials anywhere at any time.
Benefit from lifetime access to our Career Services team for job search help and career advice.
Your program includes a 5-week practical work experience in a lawyer’s office, legal department, or other appropriate legal setting.
We provide the tools you need to succeed in your program, including a new laptop you keep.
Professional Legal Assistant Diploma: Overview
Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant program provides a comprehensive, career-focused educational experience to prepare you for an important role as a legal assistant.
Our 45-week diploma program offers a strong foundation through courses in federal and provincial laws, civil litigation, corporate law, family law, and real estate law. Get proficiency in legal research, legal software, and preparing legal documents and client files.
The program will equip you with the knowledge, administrative skills, and proficiencies to excel in areas from legal transcription to legal office management. You will also receive training in specialized areas like energy law and sustainability.
Our program includes a 5-week practicum, offering real-world experience in a legal setting to ensure you are job-ready.
Program Overview: Professional Legal Assistant
Learn about Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant diploma program and how it prepares students for success in this exciting career.
Endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals (AAPP)
Sundance College’s Professional Legal Assistant diploma program has been endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals (AAPP) as meeting the education standard required for Legal Support Professional membership. This endorsement means our students complete training that aligns with the competencies and professional standards established by Alberta’s association for legal assistants.
Is a career as a Professional Legal Assistant right for you?
Take the Sundance College Career Training Readiness Quiz. The Career Quiz is a free tool that will help you identify goals, personal strengths and important facts about your potential career path so you can make an informed decision about your future. It takes just a few minutes!
Take Our Career QuizProgram Courses
Core*
Civil Law
Learn the fundamentals of civil litigation. Discuss the court litigation stages and procedures, how to prepare pre-trial and trial proceeding documents, and the procedure for actions in provincial court.
Corporate Law
Learn the fundamental structure of corporate businesses and become familiar with the different types of financial arrangements in corporate businesses. Explore the creation and requirements for the transfer of businesses, and typical documentation regarding commercial transactions.
Criminal Law
Discover the fundamentals of the structure of the Canadian Legal System with topics including introduction and overview of Criminal Law, Substantive Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures and Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Family Law
Learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the family court system in various Canadian provinces. Explore divorce, custody, child welfare, and child support while developing practical skills by completing a contested divorce file and undertaking court filing procedures.
Introduction to Law
Get a fundamental understanding of the Canadian legal system by exploring the history of Canadian law, the Constitution of Canada, the Legal Professional Act, and the rules of law societies. Learn about legal ethics and professionalism.
Real Estate Law and Conveyancing
Explore the substantive law of real estate by learning about conveyancing procedures, encumbrances, mortgages, and land title systems in Alberta and other provinces.
Legal Office Procedures
Get fundamental knowledge in the areas of general and civil litigation, family, real estate, corporate, and estate practices and procedures. Explore statutory amendments in legal procedures and the changes resulting in the impact of technology on the legal profession, with a focus on the areas of electronic filing and registration in corporate and real estate.
Legal Research
Learn how to utilize primary and secondary research materials. Work hands-on to research legal documents, annotated reports, law reviews and case comments. Understand how to properly cite sources, case law, statutes, regulations and legislation.
Contract Law and Administration
Learn the legal standards of domestic and international business practices. Study topics such as enforcing and terminating binding contracts, international trade, and corporate law to gain a fundamental knowledge of legal technicalities to streamline the business process and enhance overall operations within the supply chain industry.
Wills and Estates
Examine the laws and practices surrounding wills, trusts, and estates. Understand key areas such as estate planning, powers of attorney, mediation, probates, and ademption.
Environmental Law
Understand the fundamentals of renewable energy, sustainability, and the evolving legal landscape supporting green initiatives in Canada. Explore the societal benefits and economic opportunities of the renewable sector, and investigate how law and policy drive sustainable energy solutions across the country. Study topics such as the applications and technologies of renewable energy, the role of federal and provincial policies, and the impact of energy laws such as the Carbon Tax Law.
Effective Business Writing
Learn effective written communication skills for today’s fast-paced business environment. This course covers workplace communication techniques, designing business presentations, and specific workplace scenarios, essential for careers in the legal field.
Foundation
Becoming a Master Student
This course helps students make the transition to post-secondary education and teaches them how to make the most of their chosen career education path as they prepare for the workforce. Topics include learning styles, goal setting, note-taking, and testing.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
This course prepares students to use proper speaking skills to give effective and professional oral presentations. Students will learn what to do before, during, and after the presentation, and how to design effective visual aids.
Microsoft Outlook
Learn the file management, editing, formatting, and printing functions essential in every workplace using Microsoft Outlook.
Microsoft Word
Learn how to create, format, and manipulate Microsoft Word documents through practical hands-on training.
Career Management
Work hands-on to build the opportunity-finding skills needed in today’s job market. You will learn essential skills needed to be successful throughout the entire job application process and how to achieve gainful employment. You will plan, write, and complete a resume; search for employment; and develop your presentation skills.
Practicum
Your diploma program includes 5-week practicum in a lawyer’s office, legal department, or other appropriate legal setting. For students unable to complete a practicum (e.g., due to remote location), a capstone project will be offered as an alternative to fulfill the diploma requirements.
Admissions Steps
Whether you're just starting to explore or are ready to take the next step, we're here to help you navigate your journey. Get all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future.
Admissions RequirementsConnect with an Advisor
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Find Out What Our Students
Say About Us
The Professional Legal Assistant course was excellent with great support from instructors and staff. It helped me start a new career.
Prasanna K.
Professional Legal Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a legal assistant do?
Legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and handling court filing procedures.
They work in various legal fields such as family law, real estate law, civil litigation, and corporate law. Legal assistants also use legal software and tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their duties.
To learn more about the role and responsibilities of a legal assistant, read our blog ‘What Is a Legal Assistant?’.
Where can I work as a legal assistant or legal administrative assistant?
As a graduate of a legal assistant diploma program, you can find employment in small law offices, legal firms, large corporate firms, legal departments of large corporations, government and municipal departments, the law courts and crown prosecutors’ offices, and mortgage and real estate firms.
How do I become a legal assistant?
To become a legal assistant, you typically need to complete a legal assistant diploma program, which covers essential skills such as legal research and writing, document preparation, and client communication. Additionally, getting practical experience through internships or practicums can enhance your employability.
To learn about the skills that will benefit you in a legal assistant career, read our blog ‘What Skills Are Needed to Become a Successful Legal Assistant?’.
How long does it take to become a legal assistant?
Legal assistant training typically takes around 45 weeks (about 10 months) to complete. This timeframe includes coursework and practical training to prepare you for entry-level positions in the legal field.
How much does a legal assistant earn?
The salary of a legal assistant varies based on location (city/province), experience, and the specific legal field. On average, legal assistants can expect to earn between $37,000 and $51,000 annually.
How do I balance my studies with my work and family commitments?
Many of our students and graduates have work and family commitments that they have balanced with their studies. You will study one course at a time instead of 4 or more. This allows you to immerse yourself and increase your knowledge retention and academic success.
Additionally, our flexible learning model allows you to study around your other commitments. And you can take your legal courses online.
For more tips on finding the right work-life balance during your Professional Legal Assistant program, read our blog ‘Achieve Work-Life Balance: Tips from College Graduates’.
I don’t have experience in the legal field. Can I take the Professional Legal Assistant course?
Yes! Our program is designed for individuals with varying levels of experience.
Whether you’re looking to move up in your current administrative role or are brand new to the field, you’ll get the comprehensive legal assistant training and hands-on experience you need for a successful career in the legal industry.
Do you have other questions about our diploma programs or need guidance?
If you need more information about our programs, admissions requirements, financial aid, or practicum experiences, our admissions advisors are ready to assist you. Connect with a professional today to get the support and information you need to make informed decisions about your education and career path.
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