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Diploma in Legal Studies

The Diploma in Legal Studies is a 60-credit diploma program and is the only one of its kind in British Columbia. It is ideal for students who have a general interest in the law as an area of study in the liberal arts.

The program covers a wide range of law and legal system courses including the administration of justice, business law, criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence, public law (including immigration and human rights law), constitutional law and private law (torts, contracts and property). The program also offers an exposure to legal research skills, legal remedies and the basic principles of legal reasoning.

In keeping with the liberal arts basis of the program, students must take 24 credits of electives and are strongly encouraged to take a wide variety of courses outside of their law and legal system courses.

The Diploma in Legal Studies is university transferable, and has been designed to ensure a smooth transition for students into the SFU major in Criminology and minor in Legal Studies.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

The Diploma in Legal Studies has been designed to ensure students can move easily into four-year degree programs at institutions such as Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). Furthermore, all courses in the program are university transferable so students need not lose any credit when transferring to any other public post-secondary institution in British Columbia.

1. Transfer to SFU (BA Criminology Major, Legal Studies Minor)

By selecting the right electives during the program*, students with a Diploma in Legal Studies will be able to easily transfer into the SFU Criminology program and can complete a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology and a minor in Legal Studies.

2. Transfer to UFV (BA Criminal Justice)

By selecting the right electives during the program*, students with a Diploma in Legal Studies will be able to easily transfer into the UFV BA (Criminal Justice) program at UFV.

*Students with questions about course selections and transfer issues should contact Graeme Bowbrick, Legal Studies Diploma Program Coordinator, at bowbrickg@douglas.bc.ca

Location

Courses are offered at both the New Westminster and David Lam campuses.

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

**Application deadlines may be extended.
This program is an open enrolment unversity transfer program. Courses are offered in all three semesters - Fall, Winter, and Summer. Refer to specific course description section of this calendar for detailed information.

See Application Deadlines.

Prerequisite Compliance

  1. General Admission Requirements
  2. English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or approved substitution

Students who are requesting transfer credit from other institutions or submitting high school transcripts from outside of BC to satisfy prerequisite compliance are required to apply and submit those documents no later than three months in advance of the intake.

Other Information

This program offers a free Information Session.

DIPLOMA IN LEGAL STUDIES - PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1. Mandatory Courses (36 Credits)

2. Elective Courses (24 Credits)

Choose one of:

Any University Transfer Courses (Choose 7):

Highly recommended courses:

  • ENGL 1130 (Academic Writing)
  • Any other English

Recommended courses:

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