Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Paralegal

The front lines of the legal profession require practical knowledge and an ability to work with many different types of people and situations. If you’ve considered a career in law, this one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will give you the knowledge to make a career providing legal services within the paralegal’s scope of practice.
You’ll start by learning how to communicate effectively, as you work your way through different areas of the law, with courses in legal research and writing, torts and contracts, criminal matters and motor vehicle offences. You’ll also learn about advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and other areas of law within the Paralegal Scope of Practice. The program includes an extensive 140-hour field training component to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a legal environment. When you complete your studies, you will be prepared to apply for the provincial exam and seek licensing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).
Paralegals are required to be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). Fanshawe’s program is accredited by the LSO. To obtain a paralegal license, graduates must graduate from an accredited program, pass a licensing examination and be of good character. As a licensed paralegal, you might choose to be self-employed and offer legal services directly to the public without the supervision of a lawyer, or you might choose to work for a law firm or government agency. Either way, you will be able to put your entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge toward providing access to justice.
Upon licensing, paralegals must remain in good standing with the LSO by paying annual dues, carrying insurance, completing minimum CPD requirements, and submitting annual reports. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the paralegal licensing and license management requirements prior to applying to this program.

Applicants must have a,

A College Diploma in a Law related area
(Note: minimum 'B' average or cumulative 3.0 GPA)
OR
A University Degree
OR
An equivalent qualification from another institution as judged by the College
OR
A combination of relevant education and work experience in a related field as judged by the College to be equivalent to the above

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:

A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 570 for the paper-based test (PBT), or 88 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with an overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 59, with test results within the last two years

A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 176 with no language skill less than 169, with test results within the last two years