Program Courses

• Student Success Strategies [SSS4]

  • The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and study techniques to help foster effective learning and a positive educational experience. This course explores many different theories on learning and studying and how these theories can be applied to each student’s individual studying methods in order to develop a method that is both effective and efficient. Effective study habits and productive note-taking are key topics in this course, as well as the importance of values and goals. Through active participation in learner-centred activities, students will explore and practice strategies for setting personal goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and managing the stress that arises in school or work situations. This course will also equip students with a sound understanding of matters related to finance, credit, and debt and the critical implications they have on our lives. Students taking this course will complete the Enriched Academy program, which provides comprehensive coverage of financial and money management skills that will allow them to better save, budget, and manage their money and financial situations.

• Business Computer Applications [BC2W]

  • This course presents an introductory look at using a Windows environment computer and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). It covers the fundamentals of organizing files and folders, drafting business documents, creating presentations, and reporting data in spreadsheets. Students will have the opportunity to integrate their new skills in office communications tools in assignments related to their program of study. This course relies heavily on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

• General Legal Office Procedures & Documentation [LAA100]

  • In this module, students learn the day-to-day organization, management and procedures of a legal office. Latest developments in office technology are presented and applied practically as students draft standard legal documents such as agreements, statements of claim and defense, letters, and memos. Law office trust accounting concepts and procedures are also covered. In this module, students are also introduced to important skills such as timekeeping, filing, and the effective use of communication systems (telephone, fax, and e-mail). One of the most highly valued abilities of legal administrative assistants and paralegals is that of being able to prioritize, organize, and multitask workloads. Students learn these important skills in tandem with problem solving and critical thinking skills development. In this the program, students will use hands-on exercises and typing exercises as well as legal transcription to improve facility and speed with word processing and other computer functions.

• Introduction to Canadian Immigration Law [IMA101]

  • This module introduces students to the Canadian immigration laws, rules, policies, and procedures that are enforced and developed through Canadian government agencies, courts, and tribunals. Students will be introduced to immigration concepts such as grounds for entry into Canada, inadmissibility, permanent residency, and refugee status. Citizenship will also be discussed in detail, including how to process a Citizenship application.

• Administrative Tribunals [IMA102]

  • This module introduces students to the principles of administrative law in Canada and the tribunals that administer them. Students will be introduced to various administrative law concepts and will come to have a full understanding of tribunal processes. The various IRB application processes and duties will be explored and discussed in relation to the tasks applicable to the assistant.

• Legal Research and Writing [IMA103]

  • This course is designed to give the students a clear overview of the skills required to perform legal research as an Immigration Assistant. Students will be introduced to various research concepts that include legal terminology, how to find the law and information related to it, and the sources used to perform the research. Emphasis will be placed on immigration statutes, regulations, and case law. Students will also be introduced to proper writing concepts in addition to presentation techniques for which they will be required to perform a presentation as part of the curriculum.

• Ethics and Professional Conduct [IMA104]

  • The purpose of this course is to teach students the fundamentals and principles of ethics and professionalism in a Canadian legal environment with an emphasis on the rules and regulations specifying ethical conduct applicable to professionals assisting immigration lawyers, consultants and paralegals. Obligations around the use, collection and disclosure of personal information will be discussed. Students will gain an insight into the various codes of conduct, acts and legislation governing privacy and confidentiality at both the provincial and federal level.

• Canadian Immigration Applications and Processes [IMA105]

  • During this course, students will explore the various aspects of refugee claims and other relevant processes involved in an immigration matter. Students will be exposed to humanitarian and compassionate applications while also exploring inadmissibility, permanent resident status, and how to complete application forms relating to inadmissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Students will also perform research on a daily basis and will be shown how to research cases.

• Immigration Law Procedures [IMA106]

  • This course will introduce students to the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements that apply to the various applications, forms, and processes involved in assisting immigration lawyers, paralegals and immigration consultants in their practice. Students will explore temporary and permanent resident applications, family and economic classes and processes, provincial and territorial programs, and the processes involved for adopting children. Students will also research cases in each of the areas of immigration practice in order to gain a full comprehensive understanding of the various categories and classes of immigration.

• Immigration Processes Capstone [IMA107]

  • This course is partly designed for the students to practice what they have learned throughout the entire immigration program. Students will apply their learned research skills, prepare submissions, and fill in various forms and applications. Additionally, students will learn how to properly interview clients, open their case files, and deal with the various required documentation and letters that are required to communicate with their clients and the various immigration departments. Labour Market Opinions and Labour Market Impact Assessments will also be discussed in detail.

• Career & Employment Strategies [CES4]

  • This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

• Immigration Practicum (5 weeks) [IMA199]

  • This five-week practicum allows students to practise what they have learned in the program in real-life settings such as law firms, immigration practices or government immigration services. This time allows students to apply theory and skills learned while also observing professional in practice. This field placement will prepare students for their transition to the workforce. The practicum will be completed in a warehouse or distribution centre environment working under the supervision of experienced personnel. Students are provided with a description of duties he/she will perform on the job. At the end of the placement, the practicum host will provide an evaluation on the student and the student will provide the college with an evaluation on the placement. Students must meet all of the requirements prior to entering this practicum (see Work Experience Guide and your instructor for details.) It may also be necessary to have an interview with the host organization, as well as agree to the terms within the training plan, before being accepted at the site. Your instructor and Placement Coordinator will have met with you while classroom studies were still being delivered.

• Immigration Assistant Capstone Project [IMA-CSP]

  • This is the capstone project component of the Immigration Assistant program, which is the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills from the classroom portion of the program to practical situations typically encountered in an immigration environment. The variety of tasks to perform as part of the capstone project will be aligned to a typical working environment and real-life situations.