As a paralegal in New Brunswick you must work under the supervision of a legal professional and take care not to misrepresent yourself as a lawyer, barrister, or solicitor. Paralegals aren’t specifically defined in the province’s Law Society Act of 1996, which stipulates that functions including the practice of law can be done by anyone so long as they are carried out under the supervision of a practicing member of the Law Society of New Brunswick.
Because there are no regulatory hurdles like licenses or certifications you must earn to work as a paralegal in New Brunswick, you’ll need to distinguish yourself even more so professionally. In a marketplace where anyone can arrange to work under the supervision of a lawyer it’s important to make your résumé as attractive as possible.
This is where earning relevant paralegal education comes into the picture. You can earn certificates, diplomas, and bachelor’s degrees offered throughout Canada and in New Brunswick that will demonstrate a concrete mastery of skills that are critical to working as a paralegal. These cover a range of topics from practicalities like developing an attractive résumé, business management, and how to land the best paralegal internship, to the fine details of litigation,environmental law, criminal defense, maritime law, and family law.
Undergraduate certificate programs tend to be shorter term with many taking around a year to complete. Undergraduate diploma programs can be more detailed taking a few years to complete. Bachelor’s degrees in fields like law or business typically take four years to earn.
We’ve compiled this list of the most relevant education for aspiring paralegals in New Brunswick:
Atlantic Business College – Paralegal and Legal Assistant Program
This full-time two-semester program is offered from the school’s Fredericton campus. It’s comprised of 19 courses focusing on topics like property law, business law, career skills, work placement, family law, and more.
Eastern College – Paralegal Diploma
This is a 77-week on-campus program. One of its highlights is an eight-week supervised field placement experience that gives you experience in a real-world setting. Admission requires graduation from high school or equivalent. Eastern College has New Brunswick campuses in Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton.
Oulton College – Paralegal/Legal Assistant Diploma
This program features nine months of didactic classroom instruction covering topics like legal theory, family law, torts, corporate law, and legal databases. After this you’ll have the opportunity to complete a two-week practicum giving you hands-on legal office experience. Classes are offered from the school’s Moncton campus.
NBCC – Business Administration Diploma
Offering hybrid course delivery options from campuses in Woodstock, Moncton, Miramichi, Fredericton, and Saint Andrews, this program can be completed full-time in two-years or at an accelerated pace within 20 months. Areas of focus include management, insurance and risk management, accounting, and financial management.
Crandall University – Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Offering multiple areas of focus this 120-credit four-year program is offered from the school’s Moncton campus. Students have the opportunity to complete an internship and participate in a co-op program over three work terms that provides paid on-the-job experience.
University of New Brunswick – Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
This four-year program offers concentrations in accounting, economics, finance, e-commerce, and more; it’s perfect for paralegals who want to specialize in financial fields. It offers hands-on learning opportunities through its co-op program that consists of three four-month work terms. Classes take place on the school’s campuses in Fredericton and Saint John.