Nov 21, 2024  
PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog 
    
PUBLISHED 2024-2025 Credit Catalog

Legal Assistant

Location(s): In Person (Main Campus)


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In our practical two-year Legal Assistant program, you’ll gain valuable legal administrative skills that are in high demand.

Your instructors will be lawyers and former legal assistants. They’ll help you understand the ins and outs of the legal office. 

As a student, you will: 

  • master precise keyboarding and transcription using industry-standard software 
  • learn the relevant legal terminology to equip you with the skills to prepare legal documents accurately. 

The Legal Assistant program covers all administrative aspects of working in a law office or courthouse.  You’ll receive training in computer applications, legal writing, transcription, and office procedures.  

You’ll also learn the basics of various areas of law, like civil litigation, real estate, corporate law, criminal law, wills and estates, and family law. You’ll be prepared to create administrative documents to support the lawyers in your office.

You will wrap up your studies with a one-month unpaid practicum placement to show potential employers and legal counsel your skills and professionalism. 

Many of our graduates find jobs in law firms or within the court system. You’ll be ready for jobs as a legal assistant, court clerk, or other court worker. With experience, you may become a paralegal.

Flexible study options 

Choose between full-time or part-time study to match your schedule.  

A full-time course load includes five courses per semester, with around twenty classroom hours per week and an additional six hours of homework per course outside of the classroom.  

If you need a lower course load, you have seven years from the day you start to complete all required courses. 

Traits, skills and aptitudes


Those who work as legal assistants tend to be methodical, objective, and directive. 

You need: 

  • strong communication, organization, and time-management skills 
  • accuracy and attention to detail 
  • the ability to work with clients who are under stress 
  • the ability to work independently or as part of a team 
  • the ability to solve problems under tight deadlines 
  • integrity and respect for confidentiality 
  • the ability to think quickly and switch between tasks when emergencies arise 
  • good reading comprehension 
  • critical thinking skills. 

You should be comfortable dealing with a variety of different people and enjoy working in an office environment and organizing information. 

Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning opportunities


After you have completed 20 of your courses, you’ll participate in a one-month unpaid practicum that will be organized for you.

Credential


Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll receive a SAIT Legal Assistant diploma.
 

Program length


2 years

Accepts international applicants - not-PGWP eligible


This program is open to international applicants; however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program

Not eligible for CAJG


This program is not eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant

Related careers


Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Potential careers (NOC):

  • Legal administrative assistants (13111)
  • Court clerks and related court services occupations (14103)
  • Paralegals and related occupations (42200)

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada


Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of all the following courses or equivalents:

  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2, and
  • at least 50% in Math 10C or Math 20-3.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada


All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Program outline


The Legal Assistant diploma requires 61.5 credits (21 courses) to complete.

The program spans two years, with two semesters in the first year and three in the second. Your final semester is your practicum placement. 

Suggested schedule of study


We recommend you complete the courses in the order listed below.

Progression


You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure > 

Books and supplies


Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. The booklist will be available closer to your program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn’t receive a textbook list. Contact your program advisor directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or, if you’re in luck, no textbook purchase is required this term.

Business program advising


For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please get in touch with our School of Business.

Phone: 403.284.8485
Email: business.advising@sait.ca

Program outcomes


  1. Apply communication skills effectively and appropriately within the legal industry.
  2. Demonstrate professional behaviour that reflects the expectations of the legal industry.
  3. Interact professionally within the legal work environment.
  4. Manage information and administrative activities which support a legal organization.
  5. Execute administrative office procedures within the legal industry.
  6. Incorporate basic legal terminology and concepts in preparing documents and correspondence in various legal practice areas.
  7. Demonstrate ethical behaviour in the legal environment.
  8. Support the lawyer/client relationship within the legal industry.
  9. Demonstrate competency in keyboarding, transcription and current computer software applications when providing legal services.
  10. Conduct industry-standard searches and access court services in the legal industry.

Graduate outcomes


A. Safety - awareness of safety standards relevant to the workplace.

  • Safety awareness

B. Responsible leadership - personal, ethical and respectful behaviour within the workplace and global community.

  • Teamwork and multi-disciplinary collaboration
  • Self-initiative
  • Ethical reasoning and action
  • Global awareness
  • Sustainability

C. Communication - the exchange of information professionally and effectively.

  • Language skills
  • Interpersonal skills

D. Information literacy - the strategies used to become informed, from recognizing an information need to accessing and evaluating information and using it effectively and ethically.

  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Quantitative literacy
  • Technological literacy

E. Technical knowledge, skills and abilities - technical competence specific to the discipline or industry.

  • Specialized technical skill set

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