Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate

Overview

Become a trained legal administrative assistant and support legal professionals in law, corporate, government, notary, insurance, or real estate offices. Graduates of this program will possess a full range of essential skills in legal procedures, including litigation, family law, corporate law, wills and estates, and conveyancing. This program prepares graduates to launch rewarding careers in the legal field while also providing the option to continue studies to earn a Paralegal certificate or diploma.

Program Details

• Credential: Certificate
• Format: Full time
• Delivery: Hyflex & online; practicum in person at an assigned work site
• Duration: 7 months
• Class Schedule: Classes are held on Monday (hyflex), Wednesday (online), and Thursday (online)
• Tuition: $8,118 (Tuition is subject to change without notice. Textbooks are not included in tuition.)
• Financial Aid: Program eligible for financial aid
• Practicum Required: Yes
• Start Dates: March, September
• Application Deadline: Students can apply at any time and will be considered for the next available intake.

Employment Outlook

Legal Administrative Assistants (LAA) qualify for a variety of administrative support positions in:

• Corporate offices
• Law enforcement agencies
• Government services, including court services and Crown Counsel
• Federal, provincial, and municipal offices
• Notaries public
• Insurance companies
• Financial organizations
• Correctional institutions
• Real estate offices

Graduates of the UFV LAA program will possess the most up-to-date industry knowledge and practical skills, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation. A career as a legal administrative assistant offers interesting and challenging work, potentially resulting in both personal and financial rewards.

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements are available in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Program Outline

Courses

The program is divided into eight courses:

• Introduction to Legal Office Procedures
• Litigation
• Family Law
• Corporate Law
• Wills and Estates
• Conveyancing
• Review
• Practicum

Practicum

At the conclusion of the Legal Administrative Assistant program, students will complete a two-week practicum that provides meaningful work experience and exposure to the legal field. To qualify for the practicum module, students must successfully complete all previous coursework with a percentage grade of 85%.

For those residing in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland, UFV will arrange a practicum placement through its network of partner organizations. Students outside this region are responsible for locating a suitable practicum site and must submit the details for approval to ensure it meets program standards and requirements.

Graduation

Upon completion of all required courses and meeting grade requirements, students may apply for graduation. Note that a graduation application fee applies. The Office of the Registrar will notify students via email when their graduation parchment is ready for collection.

Withdrawal Deadlines

Refer to the School of Continuing Education's refund and withdrawal schedule for additional information.

Textbooks

To locate textbooks, utilize the UFV Bookstore's textbook search tool. Select "CE - Continuing Education" as your area of study.

Additional Supplies

Basic school supplies, including notebooks and pens, will incur additional costs.

Computer Requirements

Students will require a computer or laptop (PC or Mac) with reliable internet access and updated software to participate in online classes.

Degree Overview:

• Become a trained legal administrative assistant: The program equips you with the skills to support legal professionals in various settings.
• Wide range of skills: You will learn essential skills in legal procedures, including litigation, family law, corporate law, wills and estates, and conveyancing.
• Rewarding career: The program prepares you for a rewarding career in the legal field with the option to pursue further studies in paralegal programs.

Outline:

• Full-time, 7-month program: Delivered through online courses with a two-week in-person practicum.
• Flexible schedule: Online courses with no set meeting times, except for two scheduled online orientations.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods may include exams, assignments, and participation in online discussions.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods likely include lectures, online discussions, and practical exercises.

Careers:

• Legal Administrative Assistants (LAA) qualify for various administrative support positions: Including corporate offices, law enforcement agencies, government services, notary public offices, insurance companies, financial organizations, correctional institutions, and real estate offices.
• High skill set and multitasking abilities: The program equips you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in diverse workplaces.
• Personally and financially rewarding career: The program offers the opportunity for interesting and challenging work with good earning potential.
• Further education: You can pursue further studies in the Paralegal Certificate and Paralegal Diploma programs upon completing the LAA certificate.

Other:

• Tuition: $7,803 (subject to change)
• Financial aid: Available for eligible students
• Application deadline: Rolling admissions
• Practicum: A two-week work-like experience in the legal field.
• Practicum requirements: 85% grade in all previous coursework.
• Practicum location: Lower Mainland, with possible travel required.
• Practicum missing: Contact Continuing Education for extenuating circumstances.
• Textbooks: Available through the UFV Bookstore.

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver