Your future in law begins here.

Compare Durham College programs that lead to a career in the Justice and Legal Sectors.

Explore the opportunities below to find a program that best suits your desired career path in law, including our certificate, diploma and degree options. The following programs can help equip you with the requirements necessary to apply to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to become a licensed paralegal or apply to law school or graduate studies. Visit us online to learn how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Justice and Legal Program Highlights:

Courses are taught by experienced paralegals, law clerks and lawyers who are connected to the industry and can help assist with field placements.
The Social Impact Hub offers experiential learning opportunities in its Justice Hub to help prepare students to provide services for the public.
Select programs offer field placements or co-op options in local courts.
Students experience hands-on learning in various mock scenarios; in the past, this has included an emergency disaster scenario where students take part in the post-event legal aspect.

Program & Credential



Honours Bachelor of Paralegal Honours degree Eight semesters (Four years) More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person. Take this program to: Springboard to further education such as law school or graduate school. Receive an in-depth education and a greater perspective before entering the Paralegal practice. Expand your future professional options. Start Date: September	Bachelor of Paralegal Degree Seven Semesters (Three years) More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person. Take this program to: Graduate with a paralegal degree in the shortest amount of time. Apply to the Law Society of Ontario to become a licensed paralegal. Expand your legal knowledge with new courses in Constitutional Law and the Charter. Build on your legal practise skills and develop a theoretical understanding of law. Start Date: This program starts in September 2025.	Paralegal - Graduate certificate Three semesters More than 50 per cent of this program is delivered in-person. Take this program to: Build upon previous education to become a Paralegal in the shortest amount of time. Start Date: September	Paralegal - Diploma Four semesters (Two years) More than 50 per cent of this program is delivered in-person. Take this program to: Become a Paralegal in the shortest amount of time. Start Dates: September January	Law Clerk (Co-op option available) Diploma Four semesters (Two years) More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person. Take this program to: Develop theoretical, practical, and technical skills to succeed in the legal field. Learn from experienced and approachable faculty. Connect with industry leaders and employers. Have the chance to work in a high demand field as a law clerk. Start Date: September

Honours Bachelor of Paralegal

Honours degree
Eight semesters (Four years)
More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person.

Take this program to:

Springboard to further education such as law school or graduate school.
Receive an in-depth education and a greater perspective before entering the Paralegal practice.
Expand your future professional options.

Start Date:

September

Bachelor of Paralegal

Degree
Seven Semesters (Three years)
More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person.

Take this program to:

Graduate with a paralegal degree in the shortest amount of time.
Apply to the Law Society of Ontario to become a licensed paralegal.
Expand your legal knowledge with new courses in Constitutional Law and the Charter.
Build on your legal practise skills and develop a theoretical understanding of law.

Start Date:

This program starts in September 2025.

Paralegal - Graduate certificate

Three semesters
More than 50 per cent of this program is delivered in-person.

Take this program to:

Build upon previous education to become a Paralegal in the shortest amount of time.

Start Date:

September

Paralegal - Diploma

Four semesters (Two years)
More than 50 per cent of this program is delivered in-person.

Take this program to:

Become a Paralegal in the shortest amount of time.

Start Dates:

September
January

Law Clerk (Co-op option available)

Diploma
Four semesters (Two years)
More than 75 per cent of this program is delivered in-person.

Take this program to:

Develop theoretical, practical, and technical skills to succeed in the legal field.
Learn from experienced and approachable faculty.
Connect with industry leaders and employers.
Have the chance to work in a high demand field as a law clerk.

Start Date:

September

Admission Requirements


Honours Bachelor of Paralegal Ontario Secondary School Diploma OR Mature Student Status AND Six Grade 12 courses at the U or M level at a minimum average of 65 per cent including Grade 12 U English or equivalent with a final grade minimum of 60 per cent.	Bachelor of Paralegal Ontario Secondary School Diploma OR Mature Student Status AND Six Grade 12 courses at the U or M level at a minimum average of 65 per cent including Grade 12 U English or equivalent with a final grade minimum of 60 per cent. OR Six post-secondary credits with a combined minimum average of 65 per cent including College or university English or Communications with a final minimum grade of 60 per cent.	Paralegal - Graduate certificate Law-related degree (criminology, legal/justice studies or public policy) or diploma (law and security administration, law clerk advanced, or police foundations) with minimum GPA 2.7. OR Non-legal related diploma or degree including minimum of three law related courses with minimum GPA of 2.7. OR Minimum three years of related industry experience detailed in a professional resume with a letter of intent may be considered. Proof of English language proficiency is required.	Paralegal - Diploma Ontario Secondary School Diploma OR Mature Student Status AND Grade 12 (C or U) A high level of English language proficiency (comprehension and communication) is recommended.	Law Clerk (Co-op option available) Ontario Secondary School Diploma OR Mature Student Status AND Grade 12 English (C or U)

Honours Bachelor of Paralegal

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Mature Student Status

AND

Six Grade 12 courses at the U or M level at a minimum average of 65 per cent including
Grade 12 U English or equivalent with a final grade minimum of 60 per cent.

Bachelor of Paralegal

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Mature Student Status

AND

Six Grade 12 courses at the U or M level at a minimum average of 65 per cent including Grade 12 U English or equivalent with a final grade minimum of 60 per cent.

Six post-secondary credits with a combined minimum average of 65 per cent including College or university English or Communications with a final minimum grade of 60 per cent.

Paralegal - Graduate certificate

Law-related degree (criminology, legal/justice studies or public policy) or diploma (law and security administration, law clerk advanced, or police foundations) with minimum GPA 2.7.

Non-legal related diploma or degree including minimum of three law related courses with minimum GPA of 2.7.

Minimum three years of related industry experience detailed in a professional resume with a letter of intent may be considered.
Proof of English language proficiency is required.

Paralegal - Diploma

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Mature Student Status

AND

Grade 12 (C or U)
A high level of English language proficiency (comprehension and communication) is recommended.

Law Clerk (Co-op option available)

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Mature Student Status

AND

Grade 12 English (C or U)

Career options