Applied Business Technology/Continuing Studies
www.ufv.ca/abt
www.ufv.ca/cs

Legal Administrative Assistant certificate

This advanced program is intended for experienced office workers who wish to increase their career options or candidates with successful completion, within the past two years, of a business office training program at the post-secondary level, equivalent to the UFV Applied Business Technology certificate. This comprehensive, five-month, full-time program prepares students for employment in a variety of organizations including: law firms, real estate companies, financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, and government agencies such as court services and Crown Counsel offices.

Upon completion, graduates will be familiar with the use of legal vocabulary, able to perform legal secretarial duties and procedures in all the specialty areas, and able to apply principles of organizational and priority setting. Upon successful completion of the theory component, students will be placed in a practicum setting.

For more information contact Mandy Watts at 604-864-4638 or 604-504-7441, local 4638, or mandy.watts@ufv.ca.

Entrance requirements

1. Grade 12 or equivalent (please submit a copy of your transcripts).

2. 50 wpm minimum typing speed (attach copy of certification).

3. Completion of an introductory computer course or equivalent experience, and proficiency in WordPerfect or Word.

4. One of the following:

 a.) one full year of secretarial experience within the past three years, or

 b.) successful completion, within the past two years, of a business office training program at the post-secondary level, equivalent to the UFV Automated Office Assistant option (please submit a copy of your certificate).

5. A Business English assessment test score of at least 55 percent. Assessment administered by Continuing Studies.

6. Personal interview.

7. Willingness to undergo a security record check.

8. A 500-word paragraph outlining your interest in the program.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Complete a UFV Application for Admission form.

2. Attach all required documentation and submit the completed application package to Mandy Watts in Continuing Studies, Abbotsford office number B343.

3. All applicants will be interviewed by the instructor. You will be contacted by telephone to arrange for an interview.

4. Once advised of acceptance into the program, you may register and pay the fees.

Estimated cost

The course fee for all seven modules of the Legal Administrative Assistant program is approximately $4,350. Books and supplies are approximately $600.

Note: Fees are subject to change.

Financial aid

Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. For more information, contact the Financial Aid and Awards office at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. A variety of bursary applications are also available from the Financial Aid and Awards offices.

Student evaluation

Students will be evaluated for each unit in the program on classroom participation, assignments, study projects, practicum, and by examination.

You must maintain a grade percentage of 85% and an attendance record of 90% in each module.

You must successfully complete the theory components before being assigned a practicum placement.

Dates and location

This is a five-month, full-time program that runs Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-3 pm. Classroom instruction takes place at the Abbotsford Marshall Road annex. The practicum follows directly after successful completion of the theory components.

Program outline

The program is divided into seven units as listed below. The first module is an overview of general legal procedures, five cover the specialty areas of law, and the last module is the practicum.

Introduction to Legal Office Procedures

• The legal system
• The legal secretary
• Office systems
• Basic legal documents

Litigation

• Commencing civil procedures
• Service and interlocutory applications
• Pretrial procedures
• Trial procedures
• Collections

Corporate Law

• The nature of business
• Incorporation for B.C. non-reporting companies
• Post-incorporation procedures
• General corporate procedures

Wills and Estates

• Wills and codicils
• Letters of probate
• Letters of administration
• Transmission and distribution procedures

Conveyancing

• Introduction to conveyancing
• Preliminary conveyancing procedures
• Final conveyancing procedures

Divorce and Family Law

• Introduction to family law
• Undefended divorce procedures
• Defended divorce procedures and
• Supplementary applications
• Provincial and Supreme Court, adoptions

Practicum

The practicum must be taken immediately following the six theory modules.

For more information

Contact Mandy Watts at 604-864-4638 or 604-504-7441, local 4638. Email: mandy.watts@ufv.ca.