This three (3) year specialized program enables students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work within the legal profession. After obtaining a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC), students also have the option of pursuing their studies at a faculty of law at the University level.

The Profession

Paralegals carry out various responsibilities within the legal profession. These include among others analyzing and researching legal issues. Moreover a Paralegal drafts written procedures and other legal documents, attends meetings with clients and assists lawyers during trials before different tribunals.

The program content is not limited to the study of law. During the three years, students will undertake courses in accounting, introduction to computers, and French as a second language, in order to better prepare the Paralegal for the job market. Basic knowledge of French is required to follow this program of study, because certain text books are only in French.

The program is also enriched by many hours of training in the computer laboratory, the main objective being to build a thorough knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of the legal profession. Included are courses in civil procedures, computer-assisted legal research, corporate law, real estate law and various other areas studied with the aid of software.

Special Activities

In addition, students partake in activities associated with their training. All students will have the opportunity to visit the Palais de justice de Montréal, to attend a trial and conduct research at the Registry Offices. A very special project is put forward during the fifth (5th) semester in the legal procedures practicum course. In fact, students will prepare a trial that will be simulated  and presented to an audience.

Internship

The program concludes with a 15 week internship (525 hours) in a legal related field. The knowledge acquired is thus applied to real-life situations and graduates can undertake their careers as Paralegals with confidence and assurance.

A wide range of career opportunities awaits the graduate working with lawyers, notaries, bailiffs, in-house counsel as well as in government departments, agencies and as legal clerks of various tribunals.

In addition, O'Sullivan College offers students the opportunity of completing their third year of studies in French immersion. Students must meet certain requirements.