Program Courses

• Student Success Strategies [SSS4]

  • The purpose of this course is to optimize learning through equipping students with effective study techniques. This course also provides an introduction to personality styles that will be encountered in the workplace and allows students to practise appropriate and productive interaction between the various styles. Emphasis is placed on the types of communication that work best with each style in order to achieve a good working relationship and to manage and resolve conflicts that arise. Students are also introduced to strategies for setting personal goals, managing time, and managing the stress that results from study or work and builds on positive group dynamics and setting expectations for student success.

• Business Computer Applications [BCAO]

  • The first component of this course is designed to introduce students to basic computer literacy through familiarization with the components that make up a computer. Students will also look at the Windows operating system to learn how to manage a computer on a regular basis. The second component of this course will teach the basic skills required to work with a variety of business documents including the following MS Office Products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The third and final component is designed to introduce students to considerations for living online. Students will look at what the Internet is and how e-mail has made a huge impact on communicating with others as well as look at how to find information on the Internet and avoid risk to personal security while online.

• Microsoft Outlook [MOT4]

  • This course presents the MS Outlook application interface, tools, and features. You will l earn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling, calendars, contact lists, creating, forwarding and managing messages. This course relies heavily upon hands-on practical activities that allow you to learn concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

• Keyboarding [KBFO]

  • This course gives the student an introduction to the fundamentals of keyboarding. This course will help the students reinforce their English language skills and develop their ability to key and compose information, develop the proper keyboarding techniques and skills, The gradual pace of this course will help the students develop both speed and accuracy while applying the proper keyboarding techniques and position. Students will also develop their proofreading techniques, and improve their word processing techniques in a windows environment.

• Effective Business Writing [EBW4]

  • The workplace of the twenty-first century demands excellent communications skills. The focus of this course is on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication. Achieve an effective style by using precise verbs, concrete nouns, and vivid adjectives; write memorandums and e-mail messages that deliver information and make requests; write letters and memorandums that request information concisely and promote goodwill; apply skillful writing techniques in refusing requests; compose carefully planned sales letters; write letters of appreciation, congratulation, sympathy, recommendation, and introduction; write effective formal and informal reports; write a formal report including data, using tables, charts, and graphs.

• Customer Relations and Interpersonal Skills [B1075R]

  • In business, as in other interpersonal contact, the impression formed in the first 10 to 15 seconds is crucial to the success of the relationship. The importance of the customer and of customer relations to business success is examined through case studies and role-playing. Students will learn relevant theories of human behaviour and how they may be applied to improve customer relations.

• Introduction to the Study of Law [LAW1014]

  • 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 British Columbia 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 how to interpret statutes and will attune their skills in legal reasoning. The Doctrine of Precedent, along with current issues, developments in Canadian law, and the process of law reform will also be overviewed in this module. The process of law reform, the Law of Equity, and how to distinguish case law and Stare Decisis will also be covered.

• General Legal Office Procedures and Documentation [LAW1026]

  • 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 practically applied as students draft standard legal documents (agreements, statements of claim, and defense, letters, and memos). Students are also introduced to the important skills of timekeeping, filing, and the effective use of communication systems (telephone, fax). Law office, trust accounting concepts and procedures are covered. One of the most highly valued abilities of legal administrative assistants and paralegals is that of being able to prioritize and organize multi-task workloads. Students learn these important skills in tandem with problem solving and critical thinking skills development.

• Litigation Procedures I [LAW1034]

  • The focus of this course is on civil litigation. Students learn the steps for opening and maintaining a litigation file and the British Columbia court litigation stages and procedures. Familiarization is built with different types of damages and claims as well as 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.

• Family Law Procedures [LAW1044]

  • This course introduces the family court system in British Columbia. 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 Family Relations Act and the Divorce Act are covered. Students gain experience in completing a contested divorce file. Child Support guidelines are also covered.

• Real Estate Law and Conveyancing [LAW2014]

  • This course focuses on the substantive law of real estate. Students are introduced to basic conveyancing procedures. The registration system in British Columbia 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.

• Corporate and Commercial Law [LAW2024]

  • Students are introduced to the incorporation and organization of a British Columbia company. There will be an overview of the British Columbia Business Corporation Act (by which the BC Company Act was repealed), the Society 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 (Records Book as well as the transitions to the new Business Corporations Acts). Corporate securities, records, and changes are also covered.

• Criminal Law and Evidence [LAW2034]

  • 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.

• Wills and Estate Planning [LAW2044]

  • 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.

• Practicum [LAA200]

  • This program includes a practicum component consisting of work at a job site. This practicum work experience is a mandatory diploma requirement and the business organization does not pay for the services of the student during the practicum.

• 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.