Professional Legal Assistant Diploma Program
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Behind every good lawyer is a great assistant.
Credential
Diploma
Duration
46 weeks
Practicum
5 weeks
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Receptionist
- Administrative Professional
- Office Coordinator
Student Aid Eligible
Our Professional Legal Assistant course is eligible for student aid funding; other options available.
Legal-Experienced Instructors
Industry-experienced instructors bring firsthand knowledge from actual roles in their fields.
Laptop Program
We provide the tools you need to succeed in your program, including a new laptop you keep.
Energy Sector Focus
Get specialized training in legal aspects of the energy sector, including renewables, equipping you with knowledge pertinent to Canada’s prominent energy industry.
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
What to Expect From Our Professional Legal Assistant
As a skilled professional legal assistant, you will perform a variety of duties from legal transcription to managing legal office procedures. To be successful in the role, you must have administrative and communication skills as well as the ability to prepare legal transcriptions, legal documents, and maintain documents and client files.
To prepare you, our Professional Legal Assistant program provides you with the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of the legal profession, ranging from the structure of federal and provincial laws to hands-on processes for preparing legal documents and more.
The Professional Legal Assistant program provides you with a foundation in legal disciplines, and the administrative and computer skills required to succeed in this career.
Industry-experienced instructors support you to become an integral member of a legal office, department or judicial setting.
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.
The Sundance Difference
Supporting Student Success
Sundance College’s mission is to “support student success”. All members of our team are dedicated to helping students succeed throughout their educational journey.
One Course at a Time
Students focus on 1 course at a time, rather than splitting attention among multiple courses.
Concentrated immersion into one course increases knowledge retention and academic success rates.
Flexible Learning Environment
At Sundance College, we offer flexible learning options tailored to your lifestyle.
Choose from on-campus or online classes, and access recorded materials to learn at your own pace.
Whether you prefer a structured classroom environment or the convenience of studying from home, we provide the flexibility you need to succeed.
Hands-On Learning
We offer flexible learning options tailored to your lifestyle. Choose from on-campus or online classes, and access recorded materials to learn at your own pace.
Practicum Experience
Most programs include a practical work experience or practicum. Practicums provide very important benefits that set you apart from other job applicants:
Experience
You will have relevant work experience in your new career field before you graduate. This helps you break into or transition into your new career.
Resume Builder
A practicum helps build your resume with experience relevant to the career you want to pursue.
References
Your practicum supervisor becomes an important reference for you in moving your career forward.
Employment
You may obtain employment through your practicum employer. In our experience, up to 50% of our students have.
Career Services for Life
Students come to Sundance College to get jobs and to move their careers forward in new directions. A key component of supporting this transition for students is assisting them in applying for and preparing for job interviews.
Sundance College offers free career services to support students with:
- Developing resumes and employment marketing materials
- Job search planning, strategies and support
- Applying for jobs
- Role-playing experience so you are prepared to walk into job interviews
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, gaining 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 46 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’.