Continuing Education

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 administrative 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.

Entrance requirements

1. Grade 12 or equivalent (please submit a copy of transcripts).
2. 50 wpm minimum typing speed (attach copy of certification).
3. Completion of an introductory computer course or equivalent experience, and proficiency in Microsoft Word.
4. One of the following:
   • One full year of administrative experience within the past three years; or
   • Successful completion, within the past two years, of a business office training program at the post-secondary level, equivalent to UFV's Applied Business Technology certificate (please submit a copy of certificate).
5. A Business English assessment test score of at least 55%. Assessment administered by Continuing Education.
6. Personal interview.
7. Willingness to undergo a criminal record check.
8. A 500-word paragraph outlining 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. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • 50 net wpm typing speed (attach copy of certification).
   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. Full tuition is due at the time of registration.

Fees and additional costs

Please see the Continuing Education webpage for current fee information. See the Fees and Other Costs section for additional information.

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.

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 Clearbrook Centre in Abbotsford. The practicum follows directly after successful completion of the theory components and is held at various locations throughout the Fraser Valley.

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 administrative assistant
• 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
• Supplementary applications
• Provincial and Supreme Court adoptions

Practicum

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

Program requirements

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

Students must maintain a grade percentage of 85% and an attendance record of 90% in each module. Students must successfully complete all theory components prior to practicum placement.

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete both theory and practicum.

For more information

Contact Continuing Education at 604-851-6324, or 604-504-7441 local 6324, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441 local 6324, or continuingeducation@ufv.ca.