Description
This programme is designed to allow students to be employed by Lawyers, Law and Auditing Firms, Banks and other Financial Organisations, as well as in the private sector as Legal assistants or paralegals. Many opportunities also exist in the private (government) sector. Successful students will become qualified and competent assistants able to ensure that the primary legal services are more accessible and affordable to the public. Upon completion, the learner will be able to:
- Conduct legal research on behalf of a legal or paralegal practitioner
- Communicate with internal and external clients in a legal or paralegal workplace
- Guide and refer clients in a paralegal context
- Assist in solving problems in a paralegal context
- Provide administration and organisational support in an office environment
- Display ethical values and professional conduct when dealing with internal and external clients
Accreditation and Duration
This is a part-time higher education programme accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It is also registered at SAQA.
Duration:
- Minimum – 1 year of study (part-time)
- Maximum – 2 years of study (part-time)
Career Options
Learners could pursue a career as a:
- Paralegal Secretary
- Legal Advisor to an Estate Agent
- Legal Advisor to a Manufacturer
Certification
Upon successful completion of your programme, you will receive a certificate depicting: – Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies and an academic transcript. These documents will be issued at the annual graduation ceremony, couriered to the nearest branch or posted to you, provided that your account is in order.
It is the learner’s responsibility to ensure they meet all the programme requirements before a qualification can be issued.
Learner Material
Study material is largely supplied in digital format only. Printed copies can be ordered at the prescribed tariffs.
Prescribed textbooks are excluded and must be procured by the student. (Terms and Conditions apply)
The College has a small number of prescribed textbooks. Should you experience undue problems to acquire your textbooks, you may enquire at the College.
Lyceum College has prescribed textbooks in the Library that can be issued for a limited period on a first come first serve basis. Should you experience undue problems to acquire your textbooks, you may enquire at the College.
Progression/Articulation
A Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5 may progress to a Diploma at NQF Level 6.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016.
The final approval for applications in respects of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.
Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.
Admission Requirements
The minimum entry requirement is the National Senior Certificate OR equivalent. For full details on admission requirements, contact Lyceum College.