Our Paralegal Program has been designed to provide you with the education you need to become a paralegal. In Ontario, paralegals are licensed and regulated by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). A licensed paralegal can provide specific legal services and represent clients in certain courts (including provincial offence court, summary conviction criminal court, small claims court, and administrative tribunals). In addition to working independently in the areas of law permitted for paralegals, many licensed paralegals also work under the supervision of lawyers in other areas.
This program is an LSO-accredited paralegal education program that can be completed in anywhere from 24 months (in its compressed format) to a maximum of 36 months.
Notes
Hybrid Delivery Announcement:
If you start this program in September 2022 and January 2023, you will be participating in the LSO-approved Hybrid Delivery Project, which will continue throughout the two-year program. Information on the project can be found in the Paralegal Standing Committee Report November 26, 2021 and details of the George Brown College implementation will be emailed to all students. For more information, contact the Legal Studies Department using the Contact Information on this web page.
LSO Remote Learning Policy:
In any course where more than 35% of hours are offered remotely, you must keep your video engaged throughout each class (although backgrounds may be blurred for privacy).
Intake Date(s)
September and January
Admission Requirement(s)
You must secure departmental approval before you can register for courses (see How To Apply). Approval will only be considered if you meet the following requirements:
- You must be comfortable using a computer with Microsoft Office. If you do not meet this requirement, you must complete our COMP 9727 Microsoft Office Fundamentals (Online) course.
- You must complete the General English Assessment and score high enough to be assigned to College English. If you do not meet this requirement, you must complete our COMM 1162 Introduction to College Communication (Online) course or our COMM 1161 Introduction to College Communication course.
How to Apply
You must complete the Paralegal Program online entrance form. If you are accepted, you will receive an email within seven business days (excluding college closures) of the day we receive your application. Once you receive your confirmation, you can register in your Term 1 Module courses. You must complete the entrance form before you register for courses or you may be withdrawn at any time.
Completion Details
You can only receive exemptions from the Legal Studies department for a maximum of 40% of the program's total courses. Once you have completed all the requirements of this program with a cumulative grade average of C (63%) or better, you can request to receive a certificate using the department contact information on this web page. Program graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the LSO's two-part paralegal licensing process.
Certificate Stream
Pre-module: Core Courses (One)
One of these:
Term 1 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9095 Communication Skills for Paralegals On Campus
- LAW 9040 Introduction to the Legal System On Campus
- LAW 9056 Legal Computer Applications On Campus
Term 2 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9050 Administrative Law Blended
- LAW 9042 Legal Research and Writing On Campus
- LAW 9041 Torts and Contracts On Campus
Term 3 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9052 Employment Law for Paralegals Blended
- LAW 9055 Legal Accounting Blended
- LAW 9051 Tribunal Practice and Procedure On Campus
Term 4 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9048 Criminal Summary Conviction Procedures On Campus
- LAW 9049 Provincial and Motor Vehicle Offences On Campus
- LAW 9053 Residential Landlord and Tenant Law On Campus
Term 5 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9044 Evidence and Litigation Process On Campus
- LAW 9039 Paralegal Practice Management On Campus
- LAW 9047 Small Claims Court On Campus
Term 6 Module: Core Courses (Three)
Modules must be completed in the order shown. Courses must be completed in the term shown.
- LAW 9045 Advocacy On Campus
- LAW 9046 Alternative Dispute Resolution On Campus
- LAW 9038 Ethics and Professional Responsibility On Campus
Post-module: Core Courses (One)
This can be completed along with or after the Term 6 Module:
Additional Information
Disclaimer: Graduates of our Paralegal Program are not eligible to attend the college's convocation ceremonies as those ceremonies are for full-time program graduates only.
Disclaimer: The Paralegal licence is awarded by the LSO. The information provided here does not represent the extent of the requirements for the Paralegal licence. The requirements are set by the LSO, not George Brown College, so you must follow the process listed on the LSO website and meet the requirements applicable to you to achieve the Paralegal licence. LSO policies are subject to change without notice, and George Brown College is not responsible for any information errors or inaccuracies that result from a change in LSO policy.
- Contact Information
- Contact:
- Legal Studies Department
- Email:
- celegal@georgebrown.ca
- Phone:
- Location(s):
-
- St. James Campus, 193 King St. E., Building G (SJG), third floor