Bachelor of Paralegal Studies
Program Overview
Humber’s Bachelor of Paralegal Studies program is the only four-year degree program to receive accreditation by The Law Society of Ontario as an accredited paralegal education program. This program combines legal theory with practical applications in courses covering ethics and professional responsibility, negotiation and mediation, evidence, advocacy, tort law, contract law, insurance law, and employment law. Students are provided with the legal foundation needed to consider a career as a licensed paralegal.
We believe that properly representing a client includes understanding the client’s background and motivation. As a result, our program has eight electives which provide students with the opportunity to study social science, humanities and science.
Semester 1 |
|---|
| PLBA 1001: Introduction to Canada's Legal System |
| PLBA 1002: Small Claims Court 1 |
| PLBA 1004: Tort Law |
| PLBA 1502: Introduction to Legal Writing |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 2 |
|---|
| PLBA 1501: Small Claims Court 2 |
| PLBA 1505: Contract Law |
| PLBA 2501: Legal Computer Applications |
| PLBA 2502: Legal Research and Writing |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 3 |
|---|
| PLBA 1500: Charter of Rights and Freedoms |
| PLBA 2000: Legal History |
| PLBA 2001: Administrative Law |
| PLBA 2002: Provincial Offences |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 4 |
|---|
| PLBA 1000: Philosophy of Law |
| PLBA 1503: Evidence and the Litigation Process |
| PLBA 2500: Tribunal Practices and Procedures |
| PLBA 2503: Residential Landlord and Tenant Law |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Semester 6 |
|---|
| PLBA 3501: Debtor/Creditor Rights |
| PLBA 3503: Advanced Legal Writing |
| PLBA 3506: Indigenous Legal Perspectives |
| PLBA 4000: Criminal Summary Conviction Procedure |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Work Experience - SEM 6C |
|---|
| PLBA 3510: Field Experience - Bachelor Of Paralegal Studies |
Semester 8 |
|---|
| PLBA 4500: Access to Justice |
| PLBA 4501: Insurance Law |
| PLBA 4502: Practice Management |
| PLBA 4503: Employment Law |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| DEGE : Degree Breadth Elective |
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Explain the relationship between a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles, and rules of law related to paralegal practice within the Canadian legal system.
Outline relevant philosophical, historical, political, social, cultural, economic, and ethical contexts in which law operates.
Define legal terminology accurately and give appropriate, current examples of their use.
Research relevant information from a wide range of professional texts and legal data bases using sophisticated search methods and standard techniques of legal interpretation.
Use of methods of negotiation and advocacy in order to advance a client’s legal position in a contentious context.
Solve complex legal problems through selection of appropriate legal remedies for substantive issues and the related legal and procedural issues.
Develop a cogent legal argument based on an organized body of relevant facts verified through corroborating sources.
Present legal issues and solutions in client-centered plain language.
Summarize the issues and arguments in a range of complex law cases.
Write a range of polished documents used in paralegal practice with accuracy, clarity, conciseness and organization.
Evaluate issues to determine whether a case falls within the paralegal scope of practice and where appropriate, seek support and/or refer the case to a lawyer.
Contribute effectively and professionally in a team environment to complete required tasks within set deadlines.
Take initiative to expand personal and professional competence in order to make on-going improvements in meeting client needs.
Work Placement
Work placements offer on-the-job experience where you will use and sharpen the skills you’ve learned in class and apply them to real-world situations.
The work placement is from May to August after Semester 6 and lasts 14 weeks/420 hours. You will work with your placement advisor to find a placement that fits your career goals. We provide placement support, such as working with the legal community, to identify work placement employment opportunities.
The Humber Experience
As the only four-year Canadian Paralegal Studies program, there is no better place to focus on paralegal education than at the Longo Faculty of Business at Humber. Professors in the program possess a graduate degree, as well as having extensive practical experience in the legal field. Bernie Aron, Program Coordinator of the Paralegal Studies degree program recently received a John and Suanne Roueche Excellence Award for his exceptional focus on teaching and learning excellence.
Student Testimonial
Our Program Co-ordinator and School staff such as the placement center are really helpful when it comes to helping students be successful. They encourage students to apply in all different places. I would have never considered Tax Law as a field I would be interested in, however I applied for it and now I genuinely really like this area of law. I owe my success this past four months to the placement center and my program co-coordinator for always pushing students to be better, and try new things in their career paths.”
– Eimy Barrios
The advisory committee is made graduates and industry professionals who are responsible for helping shape the curriculum to ensure the short and long term success of our students and graduates.
Expert Faculty
You'll learn from professors who have real-world experience and are active in the industry. Our professors are committed to providing you with practical, hands-on training to help you achieve the career you want.
View CredentialsBernard Aron
LLM (Law) – York University
BA (History) – McMaster University
Carolyn MacLean
LLM (Law) – York University
Jasteena Dhillon
LLM (Public International Law) – Leiden University
JD (Common Law) – University of Windsor
BA – University of Toronto
Professor
John Allen
PhD (Law) - York University
LLM (Law) - York University
LLB (Law) - Queen’s University
BASc (Agriculture) - University of Guelph
BA (History) - Queen’s University
Karen Schucher
PhD (Law) – York University
LLM (Canadian Human Rights Legal Theory and Enforcement) – York University
LLB (Law) – York University
MA (Philosophy) – University of Toronto
BA (English and Philosophy) – University of Toronto
Professor
Kirk Rintoul
LLM (Law) – London School of Economics
JD (Law) – Osgoode Hall Law School
BA (History and Political Science) – University of Toronto
Professor
Paul Dollak
LLM (Alternative Dispute Resolution) – York University
JD – Dalhousie University
BA (History) – University of Toronto
Professor
Richard Quon
LLM (Criminal Law and Procedure) – York University
LLB (Common Law and Civil Law) – McGill University
BASc (Political Science) – University of Lethbridge
Professor
Rick Libman
PhD (Law) – York University
LLM (Law) – York University
LLB (Law) – University of Windsor
BA – York University
Professor
Sherry Darvish
MTax (Taxation) – University of Waterloo
JD – York University
BSc – University of Toronto
Professor
Shirley Wales
LLM (Alternative Dispute Resolution) – York University
LLB (Law) – University of Toronto
BA (Economics and Political Science) – York University
Professor
Your Career
Your career as a paralegal can take you in many exciting directions, from representing clients in the Ontario Small Claims Court and Provincial Offences Court to being a paralegal in a major law firm or government department.
Paralegals interview clients and witnesses, prepare legal documents and affidavits, conduct legal research, and often track down key information for a legal case. They identify case precedents and play a key role in assisting lawyers to prepare for examinations for discoveries, settlement hearings and trials. In fact, they are a key part of the legal process.
Paralegals work in law firms, as part of the legal departments of corporate firms, in government and in community organizations. You may also become a provincial offences prosecutor, a Small Claims Court legal representative, legal researcher, court monitor, paralegal firm manager or you may choose to start your own paralegal practice.
Paralegals also provide important advocacy services to clients appearing before specialized tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
As a paralegal, you’ll cover a wide range of legal matters, from wrongful dismissal to no-fault automobile insurance benefits to immigration and refugee board proceedings.
Our program can help you develop the competencies and skills you need to create the paralegal career you want. Our students have had the opportunity to do work placements with the Department of Justice Canada and Legal Aid Ontario while our graduates have been hired by major law firms in Toronto such as Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, and Gowling WLG.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Law Society of Ontario
The program is recognized by the Law Society of Ontario as an Accredited Paralegal Education Program. Graduates of the program may apply for licensing as a paralegal in Ontario. The license is issued by the Law Society of Ontario.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Program Availability
Bachelor of Applied Arts - Paralegal Studies
Watch the video to learn about the only four-year Honours degree program of its kind in Ontario.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
Holiday Party Raises Donations for Youth Without Shelter
Fri, January 06, 2023
On December 21st, the Longo Faculty of Business hosted its annual holiday party in person for the first time in two years and was held in the newly renovated office space at the North campus.
Paralegal Grad Accepts Admission to Law School
Thu, December 15, 2022
Samantha Hawthorne, a 2021 honours graduate of the Bachelor of Paralegal Studies program was accepted for admission to the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University.
Business Professor Gets Published
Fri, December 09, 2022
The Journal of Paralegal Access to Justice has been launched by Emond Publishers and Program Co-ordinator of the Bachelor of Paralegal Studies, Bernard Aron is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal.
Paralegal Studies Degree Graduate Attending Law School at Queen’s University Belfast Excels in Irish National Moot Competition
Fri, November 25, 2022
Fallon Burns, a 2015 graduate of the Paralegal Studies degree program, represented her law school at Queen’s University Belfast in the Dublin City University National Moot Competition in November.
No news at this time.
Ministry Consent
Humber College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting April 29, 2019. Humber College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
