Legal Studies Certificate at Vancouver Island University

Programme overview

This Certificate will appeal to students wishing to continue onto law school or graduate work in law and policy and to individuals interested in careers where there are significant legal issues. The program blends courses that develop essential writing, speaking and critical thinking skills with courses which offer more law-content specific focus. Students will select from a variety of eligible courses to fit with their interest and their BA or BBA major or minor.

Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Courses include Law and Politics in Canada, Canadian Politics and Government, Introduction to First Nations Studies I, Introduction to First Nations Studies II, Canada to 1867: Contact, Colonies, and Empires, Canada 1867 to 1945: National Expansion in Peace and War, First Nations People in Canadian History Since 1867, Freedom and Alienation: Economics, Politics, and Liberty.

Career pathways

As this credential is designed to supplement a student’s primary degree, employment opportunities will be based on their primary degree. It is intended that this credential aid job seekers that are applying to jobs where legal issues are significant, such as in government, policy, law, insurance, and First Nations treaty negotiation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

General admission requirements apply.; Students completing this certificate concurrent with and embedded within a VIU degree or diploma do not need to apply to this program. They should let their degree or diploma advisor, program coordinator, or the Registration Centre know of their intention. Careful planning is necessary to ensure prerequisites are met.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most programmes start in September; January intake is offered for some bachelor's degrees and other programmes; many programmes offer alternative start dates throughout the year.

Applications for most academic programs open October 1 in the year before the program start date (applications for programs beginning September 2027 open October 1, 2026); deadlines vary by program.

Application fee: domestic undergraduate $46.98, domestic graduate $121.86, international all programs $156.06 (non-refundable); no application fee for Adult Basic Education.

Apply through the official page: https://www.viu.ca/apply

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