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Ministry-approved title: Paralegal
Accredited by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), this program qualifies graduates to apply to write the LSO’s licensing examination to become a licensed paralegal. Unique to Ontario, the paralegal profession was established to provide affordable legal representation and access to the justice system in prescribed areas of law before many courts and tribunals in the province.
This three-semester program is designed for students with prior post-secondary education or related industry experience. In-class learning is complemented by a 240-hour field placement with a licensed paralegal or lawyer, in a government, court or law firm setting to gain practical, hands-on experience.
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Applicants who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
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A paralegal studies certificate equips students with the skills and credentials to pursue a diverse range of career options within the legal sector. As a licensed paralegal, graduates will have the ability to represent clients in a variety of legal matters, including small claims court, provincial offences, and tribunal hearings. Many graduates choose to work independently, providing legal services to underserved communities, while others may find employment in law firms, assisting lawyers with complex cases or managing client relations.
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The Paralegal Graduate Certificate program is specifically designed for individuals who are passionate about the law and committed to advocating for justice. Graduates of this program will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and integrity to make a meaningful impact in the legal field, whether their goal is to provide paralegal services independently, work as part of a legal or paralegal firm, or serve as an employee in a government agency. With a focus on practical training and theoretical knowledge, the paralegal studies program prepares students to meet the growing demand for affordable legal representation in Ontario.
This graduate certificate is an excellent opportunity for those with prior legal-related education or experience to advance their careers and become licensed paralegals. Students develop strong advocacy skills, learn how to represent clients in court and tribunal settings, and learn how to navigate complex legal procedures. They gain expertise in managing cases from beginning to end, ensuring their clients receive the best possible representation and access to justice.
This program is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), the regulatory body governing professional paralegals in the province, and meets its rigorous competencies for paralegals. It prepares students for the LSO’s paralegal licensing examination, which graduates are eligible to write, and is designed to provide the specialized knowledge and skills required to independently provide legal services as a professional, licensed paralegal or work as a paralegal under the supervision of a lawyer. The paralegal graduate certificate program covers key areas such as legal research, client representation, ethics, and procedural law—ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to take on real-world legal challenges.
It is also designed specifically for individuals who have a degree or diploma consisting of law-related courses or three to five years of legal-related experience.
Graduates who successfully complete the LSO’s Licensing Examination are recognized as Professional Licensed Paralegals and are afforded the privilege of providing legal services in prescribed areas of law before many courts and tribunals in Ontario, such as Small Claims Court, Provincial Offences Court, Criminal Summary Conviction matters, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, and the Landlord and Tenant Board, to name a few. Graduates may also find employment in law firms, working under the supervision of a licensed lawyer or paralegal, immigration and refugee law, as well as in several organizations approved by the LSO in By-Law #4.
Furthermore, graduates may decide to continue their education and achieve further academic credentials. Additional education can open doors to even more advanced positions within the legal field or allow for specialization in areas such as corporate law or human rights advocacy.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
A paralegal's career options are not limited to court settings; once students complete our program, they could go on to work in a variety of places, including:
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
The learning experience will be complemented by a 240-hour field placement with a licensed paralegal or lawyer, in a government, court or law firm setting. This field placement provides students with practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned in the classroom.
If you decide to further your education after the paralegal graduate certificate program, Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities as well as transfer options with a number of Canadian and international institutions.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits from our paralegal program towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students in the paralegal program have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations based on course needs and software requirements. Students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i7 RAM: 16GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk.
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