Program Courses

• Microsoft Word & Excel [MSWE]

  • This course presents an introductory look at the Microsoft Office 2016 productivity applications Word, Excel and the Windows environment in which they run. It covers the fundamentals of organizing files and folders, of drafting business documents and of reporting data in spreadsheets. This course relies entirely on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis and obtaining feedback immediately.

• Business English and Proofreading [BEP4]

  • In this course, students will develop essential English skills through review and application of basic grammar and punctuation principles necessary for successful workplace communication. Students will also learn to proofread business communication as a three-step process that includes reviewing copy once for format, once for content and mechanical errors, and once for references and numerical text. Throughout the process, students will learn and apply standard proofreading symbols.

• Introduction to the Study of Law [AB-L1014]

  • Students will be provided with an overview of the Canadian legal system, legal institutions, and the structure of the Canadian court system. Students learn about the history of Canadian law, including an analysis of the development of the Canadian constitution. The Legal Professional Act and the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta will be discussed with a view towards professionalism and ethics in the field. There will be an examination of the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal profession. Students will learn legal reasoning and how to interpret statutes. The Doctrine of Precedent, along with current issues and developments in Canadian law, and the process of law reform will also be overviewed in this module. The Law of Equity, and how to distinguish case law and Stare Decisis will also be covered.

• General Legal Office Procedures and Documentation [AB-L1024]

  • In this module, students learn about the day-to-day organization, management, and procedures of a legal office. The latest developments in office technology are presented and applied practically as students draft standard legal documents (agreements, statements of claim and defence, letters, and memos). Students are also introduced to the important skills of timekeeping, filing, and the effective use of communication systems. Law office, trust, accounting concepts, and procedures are also covered. One of the most highly valued abilities of legal assistants and administrative assistants is being able to prioritize and organize multi-task workloads. Students learn these important skills in tandem with problem solving and critical thinking skills development.

• Real Estate Law [L1034]

  • This course focuses on the substantive law of real estate. Students are introduced to basic conveyancing procedures. The registration system in Alberta is covered, along with other forms and documents related to transfer/deed, charge/mortgage, and discharge of charge/mortgage. The structure of a real estate sale is illustrated. Students also learn the requirements when acting for the vendor or acting for the purchaser. Students also gain knowledge about closing a real estate transaction, the nature of mortgages, features, legal and equitable interests, principles of interest, priorities, assignment, extinguishment, insurance issues, and payout strategies are covered in this course. The course also covers property law concepts, the land title system, undertakings, conflict of interest, contract of purchase and sale, and tax issues are also covered. Students also learn about the Personal Property Securities Act, validity of security agreements, rights of parties and theory, concepts, procedures and forms. Students also gain knowledge of commercial conveyancing matters and the role of the conveyancing assistant.

• Civil Litigation [AB-L1044]

  • The focus of this course is on civil litigation. Students learn the steps for opening and maintaining a litigation file and also learn about the Alberta court litigation stages and procedures. Familiarization is built with different types of damages and claims as well as with the procedures for proving a claim. Students gain experience preparing all relevant documents (for pre-trial and trial proceedings). Proceeding to trial is also covered, along with the procedure for actions (in Provincial Court and Civil Division). Mediation and settlement are introduced.

• Commercial Law [L1054]

  • Students are introduced to the incorporation and organization of an Alberta company. There will be an overview of the Alberta Business Corporation Act, the Alberta Companies Act, the Societies Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Canada Corporations Act. Guidelines and procedures for selecting a corporate name are covered. Student understanding of corporate by-laws and corporate structure is built, along with the typical requirements of corporate meetings, minutes, resolutions and the duties of directors and officers. Students use legal precedents to prepare articles of incorporation and corporate by-laws. Experience is gained with routine filings and resolutions. Students learn how to set up and maintain corporate records in compliance with the new Business Corporations Act and Corporate Securities.

• Wills and Estates [L1064]

  • In this foundation course, students learn about wills and estates planning, estate succession, testacy, intestacy, requirements of a valid will and execution procedures. There is an introduction to the roles of the Executor and Trustee. Students learn about the Notice to Beneficiaries, Living Wills, Power of Attorney and Representations Agreements. Assets, inheritance, and estate inventory are also presented. The course provides an overview of The Wills Act and the Administration of Estates Act are covered. This course also covers the roles of the Executor and Trustee.

• Legal Accounting [AB-L1074]

  • This course covers the day-to-day manual recording of transactions for a legal business organization. This includes general journal transactions, special journals, posting to the general ledgers and subsidiary ledgers, preparing a trial balance, payroll registers, operating a petty cash fund, and reconciling bank statements. While students with be learning generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), during this module, students will become familiar with accounting practice with particular attention to the treatment and maintenance of Trust Accounts.

• Family Law Procedures [L2014]

  • This course introduces the family court system in Alberta. Students become familiar with Provincial and Supreme Court documentation and procedures used to bring issues of marriage, separation, divorce, custody / access, child welfare, adoption, maintenance and property to resolution using the legal system. The Domestic Relations Act and the Divorce Act are covered. Students gain experience in completing a contested divorce file. Child Support guidelines are also covered.

• Corporate Law [AB-L2024]

  • This course advances student understanding and knowledge of the differences between reporting and non-reporting companies. Students analyze agency relationships, liabilities, and methods of securing financial transactions and acquiring assets. Different types of financial arrangements, the nature of security, credit devices, priorities, and assignments are covered. There is also a review and consolidation of the structure of businesses, their creation, and the requirements for their transfer. The procedures involved in various commercial transactions, from the opening of a file to the closing, are presented. Students become familiar with typical documentation dealing with a variety of commercial transactions: commercial leasing, commercial financing of real and personal property, and commercial sales.

• Criminal Law and Evidence [L2034]

  • In this introductory course, students learn about the nature, purpose, scope, sources and basic principles of criminal law. The Criminal Code of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are discussed. Students review the basic elements of a criminal offence and the practical procedures utilized throughout a client’s arrest, trial, sentencing, and appeal. Jurisdictional issues are presented, along with the process for jury election. There will also be a discussion of evidence. This course, also covers interviewing techniques and investigation procedures with regards to criminal offenses, examination techniques (direct and cross) the creation and maintenance of a criminal file. This course also includes the gathering of information, obtaining a retainer, completing documentation, billing and reporting. There is also a review of law of evidence and the evidentiary statement.

• Legal Research and Interviewing [L2054]

  • Research and analytical skills are developed in this course. Students gain an understanding of research design, data gathering, analysis and reporting. The studies of primary and secondary research materials are covered, along with how to correctly cite sources, case law, statutes, regulations and legislation. Students will prepare a legal research memorandum, read case briefs and legal documents, use encyclopaedias, annotated reports, law reviews and case comments. Internet research is also covered extensively, along with how to locate decisions and statutes. Students also learn about how laws and statutes are made (first reading, second reading), hone their legal reasoning and legal problem solving skills.

• Insurance Law [L2074]

  • This course provides students with an overview of Canadian insurance law including the structure of the industry, insurable interests, valuation, subrogation, contribution and indemnity and duty to disclose. Agents’ duties and responsibilities, form and formation of the insurance contract and the claims process and Alberta Auto Insurance issues are also covered. This course also focuses on personal injury practice and relevant substantive law and procedures required to manage a personal injury file.

• Credit and Collection Procedures [L2094]

  • This course presents the laws and procedures related to debtors’ and creditors’ rights. Students learn about builders’ liens, applicable statute law and provincial legislation. The procedural rules to bring a simple debt action, file a debt action and file of writ of enforcement are overviewed. Students review the means of enforcing a judgment and realizing on personal property security. Both Provincial Court and Supreme Court procedures are analyzed. Students learn about the process for garnishing wages and bank accounts.

• Career & Employment Strategies [CES4]

  • This course looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview: how people find jobs; employer expectations; presenting an enthusiastic attitude; focusing on the right job; transferable skills; the job interview; effective resume preparation; cover and thank you letters; effective telemarketing; tapping the hidden job market; handling objections; job search management; self-confidence and self-esteem building; mock interviews (video-taped); and individual counselling and coaching.

• Practicum [AB-PLGL199]

  • Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee in order to gain the valuable real world experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory.