Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
(Brampton)
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Overview
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Courses
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Admission Requirements
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Careers
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Co-op
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Degree Completion
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Learning Outcomes
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Internship
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Fees & Financial Aid
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FAQs
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Labs & Technology
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Financial Planning Certification
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Professional Sales Certificate
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Program Transition
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Earn your Masters degree
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Transfer Opportunities
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Clinical Placements
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Articulation Agreements
For the Winter 2021 semester, this program will be delivered entirely through remote learning. View delivery modes for all programs.
Gain the skills to practise as a paralegal in Ontario.
Program Overview
Critical training
Successful completion of Sheridan's accredited Paralegal program qualifies you to write the Law Society of Ontario licensing examination, a requirement if you wish to practise as a paralegal in Ontario. The training you receive at Sheridan – from professors with many years of experience working in the legal profession – will prepare you for a career in this challenging field.
What you'll learn
- Prosecution and defence of summary conviction offences and provincial offences.
- Small claims court procedure.
- Effective advocacy before tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal.
- Legal research and writing.
Hands-on experience
Following the final term of your Paralegal program, you'll complete an unpaid four-week (140-hour) field placement in a legal environment within a paralegal's permitted scope of practice. You may be in a variety of legal settings including a court office, legal clinic, paralegal firm or law firm. Some travel may be required, and you'll need to provide your own transportation.
Additional information
The Law Society of Ontario is the independent governing body empowered by the Province of Ontario to regulate the legal profession. Paralegal scope of practice, licensing, and examination procedures including fees, examination dates and admission requirements, are within the sole authority of the Law Society of Ontario.
Your program professors are lawyers and paralegals with many years of experience working in the legal profession. Under their direction you'll learn through a combination of teaching methods including:
- Classroom lecture and discussion
- Collaborative group assignments
- Mock trials and hearings
- Computer-based assignments in the computer lab
Explore your future classroom
At Sheridan, many of our labs and classrooms are built to mimic work environments in the real world. Want to see a lab used by Paralegal students at Sheridan? Take a virtual tour of the Mock Courthouse you'll use as a student in this program.
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Courses
Creative, innovative learning is at the core of all Sheridan’s courses. Here are the courses you’ll take in this program.
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Semester 1
CODE TITLE CREDITS SOCI 16039G Introduction to Sociology 3 LAWS 13334 Introduction to the Canadian Legal System 3 LAWS 16446 Small Claims Practice & Procedure I 3 LAWS 10855 Torts and Contracts 3 APPL 17545 Introductory Computer Skills for Paralegals 3 COMM 11611 Principles of Legal Writing I 3 Total: 18 -
Semester 2
CODE TITLE CREDITS LAWS 19077 Small Claims Practice and Procedure II 3 LAWS 15666 Administrative Tribunals and Public Law 3 LAWS 17995 Legal Research and Writing 3 COMM 13431 Principles of Legal Writing II 3 ACCG 20146 Legal Accounting 3 GNED General Education Elective 3 Total: 18 -
Semester 3
CODE TITLE CREDITS LAWS 16206 Ethics & Professional Practice for Paralegals 3 LAWS 11385 Provincial Offences and Motor Vehicle Law 3 MGMT 24178 Paralegal Practice Management & Workplace Skills 3 LAWS 19303 Evidence and Litigation Process 3 LAWS 18659 Civil Trial Procedures & Advocacy 3 GNED General Education Elective 3 Total: 18 -
Semester 4
CODE TITLE CREDITS LAWS 14602 Residential Landlord and Tenant Law 3 LAWS 16250 Alternative Dispute Resolution 3 LAWS 24178 Tribunal Practice & Procedures 3 LAWS 20009 Employment Law for Paralegals 3 LAWS 26367 Summary Conviction Law & Procedures 3 LAWS 23078 Special Topics in Paralegal Practice 3 FLPL 28634 Field Practicum (4 Weeks) 1 Total: 19
Courses subject to change.
Find course details:
Courses subject to change.
Find course details:
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Admission Requirements
Program Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:
- One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U), minimum 60%
- Minimum 65% overall average
or
Applicant Selection
Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses). Although not a requirement, Grade 12 mathematics or equivalent is recommended. Basic computer skills are essential. You should have a minimum keyboarding speed of 30 wpm.
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other related programs.
Preparation for Application
The Law Society of Ontario is the independent governing body of the legal profession having sole authority over scope of practice, licensing requirements and on-going licensee and membership obligations. Applicants who wish to apply for a paralegal licence must research the Law Society's policies and procedures regarding the licensing process, including application deadlines, fees and on-going licensee and membership obligations before applying to Sheridan's Paralegal program, as changes are made by the Law Society from time to time. Visit www.lso.ca and click "Become a Paralegal."Criminal Record Check
Sheridan field placement agencies may require a police record check for criminal offences. Students will be required to provide this documentation directly to their field placement prior to the start of the placement and at their own expense. Students who cannot meet these requirements may have limited field placement opportunities.
*Course duration for September start is two academic years. Course duration for January start is 16 months continuous.
English Language Proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Sheridan’s English proficiency requirements.Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Career Opportunities
When you complete Sheridan’s Paralegal program, you'll have completed all of the educational requirements to allow you to write the professional licensing exam that qualifies you to take positions in any of the organizations listed below.
Here are some places you might work:
- Community legal clinics
- Courts
- Government ministries
- In-house legal departments
- Law firms and paralegal firms
- Other law-related settings, including your own business
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Co-op
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Degree Completion
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Learning Outcomes
Program Purpose
To provide professional career preparation for learners wishing to pursue a career as a licensed paralegal. The program provides training in all areas within which paralegals are permitted by law to provide legal services. Students acquire an understanding of the general principles of law and receive theoretical and practical training in specific legal subjects, ethics and professional responsibility, and business practice.
Program Goals
- Write the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) paralegal licensing examination with a view to becoming a licensed paralegal.
- Identify the scope of paralegal practice established by the Law Society Act.
- Conduct himself or herself in compliance with the ethical and professional responsibilities of a Paralegal in accordance with the rules and by-laws established by the LSO and in particular the Paralegal Rules of Conduct and Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelines.
- Establish and manage a paralegal practice in accordance with the rules and by-laws of the LSO including the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelines and Practice Management Guidelines.
- Apply basic accounting principles, terminology, and operations to all paralegal obligations related to trust accounts, and the LSO's requirements for book and record keeping.
- Describe the fundamental elements of the Canadian government and legal system and the organization of the Canadian court system.
- Identify basic principles of property, business and consumer law, torts and contract law, employment law, landlord and tenant law, immigration and refugee law and debtor and creditor law.
- Follow procedural and evidentiary rules of civil litigation proceedings in the Small Claims Court.
- Describe the principles of criminal and quasi-criminal law and comply with procedural and evidentiary rules relating to proceedings under the Criminal Code and the Provincial Offences Act before the Ontario Court of Justice.
- Apply principles of administrative law before a variety of administrative tribunals.
- Advise clients with respect to their rights and responsibilities within the permitted scope of paralegal practice.
- Research, interpret and apply federal and provincial legislation and common law and prepare case briefs, legal memoranda pleadings and correspondence clearly, concisely, accurately and persuasively.
- Effectively advocate on behalf of clients before courts and administrative tribunals and with opposing parties.
- Identify various alternative dispute resolution mechanisms available and effectively negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients.
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Internship
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Program Fees
Fees shown here are estimates only. Fees are in Canadian dollars and include tuition, health insurance and ancillary charges.
The fees shown here are for the 2020–2021 academic year, and are subject to change. The fees displayed are for the first two (2) academic terms of study at Sheridan unless otherwise noted; fees for subsequent terms are not reflected on this website.
Program Fees
Fees for this program are paid to the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Program Fees
Fees for this program are paid to Brock University.
Fees for Canadian students
$4,098.05Fees for International students
$16,939.05Financial Aid & Awards
Your education is a big investment, and we're here to help! Keep an eye on our Financial Aid & Awards page for regular updates, and check out these important links:
Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship
Sheridan is pleased to provide an entrance scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to select applicants in this degree program. View Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship details for eligibility criteria and more.
Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship
Sheridan is pleased to provide an entrance scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to select applicants in this degree program. View Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship details for eligibility criteria and more.
Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship
Sheridan is pleased to provide an entrance scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to select applicants in this degree program. View Sheridan Degree Entrance Scholarship details for eligibility criteria and more.
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Frequently Asked Questions
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Labs & Technology
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Financial Planning Certification
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Professional Sales Certificate
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Program Transition
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Earn your Masters degree
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Transfer Opportunities
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Clinical Placements
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Articulation Agreements
Take a virtual campus tour
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies
Designation
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
2 yrs (4 semesters)
Location
Davis Campus
7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton
Helpful links
Program availability
Ontario College Diploma
Full-time 2 years Program code: PARAL
Start date | Campus | Status |
---|---|---|
Sep 2021 | Davis Campus (Brampton) | Available |
Jan 2022 | Davis Campus (Brampton) | Available |
Jan 2021 | Davis Campus (Brampton) | Waitlisted |
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