Background Information
Feedback CPLED received from their candidates highlighted the challenges they experienced balancing competing priorities between their Bar admission program and their articles. To address this concern and offer candidates and firms greater flexibility in selecting the program delivery style that best suits their needs, CPLED created a full-time version of the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP), called Accelerated PREP.
CPLED first offered Accelerated PREP during the summer of 2021 to a small cohort of candidates. Firms reported those who participated in the inaugural offering arrived prepared and confident on day one of their articles. After the successful inaugural offering, CPLED offered a soft launch of Accelerated PREP, with cohorts across all CPLED jurisdictions, in the summer of 2022. The program launched in 2023.
Program Details
Accelerated PREP is a full-time program delivered completely online. While enrolled in Accelerated PREP, you must dedicate a full day of study (seven and a half hours) five days a week. Due to the program’s fast-paced nature and heavy workload, firms should not assign work while candidates complete the program; it also does not allow time for candidates to be absent or take breaks, such as a vacation while enrolled.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for Accelerated PREP, you must have your Canadian common law degree or Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Secured articles are not required to participate in this program. However, please note the requirement for secured articles may change if your law society advises CPLED of a change.
Schedule
Due to the compressed nature of Accelerated PREP, it is not possible to accommodate candidates who fall behind in the program. If you happen to fall behind, you will be required to transfer to another PREP intake, and you will receive credit for the phases completed.
Registration Update
We have had an overwhelming interest in the 2024 program. The program has reached maximum capacity within the Manitoba jurisdiction. Those interested in the program can email us at admin@cpled.ca to be added to the waitlist.
Registration capacity is still available for the Alberta, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan jurisdictions.
Registration Process
- Create a CPLED Student Profile
- Complete your Student Enrolment Checklist:
- Law degree information
- Articling/Clerking information- if you are articling (start date, name and location of your firm as well as the name and contact information of your Principal and other firm contacts if applicable). If you have yet to secure articles, you must leave this section BLANK.
- Alternate email and phone number
- PREP information (questionnaire)
- Academic integrity sign off
- Emergency contact information
- Once your Student Enrolment Checklist is complete and your tuition fee payment is processed, you will receive login credentials for D2L (CPLED’s content delivery platform) and LexisNexis QuickLaw (CPLED’s provided legal research platform). Please note that it can take up to seven business days to process your payment.
You will not receive access to the program until your tuition fee payment has been processed. - Once you receive your D2L credentials, you will find the Foundation Modules course and can begin your studies on or after the scheduled release date.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for Accelerated PREP is $6,100, plus applicable taxes. The tuition fee can be paid as a one-time lump sum payment, or candidates may select the payment plan option. Please note that candidates will not receive access to PREP materials until their tuition fee payment(s) has been processed. Candidates are encouraged to submit their tuition fee payment(s) before the due dates to avoid delays in PREP materials being released.
| Phase | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Foundation Modules | Wednesday, May 15, 2024 |
| Foundation Workshops | Wednesday, June 12, 2024 |
| Virtual Law Firm | Wednesday, June 26, 2024 |
| Capstone | Wednesday, August 14, 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Accelerated PREP is a full-time program. You are required to dedicate a full day of study (seven and a half hours), five days a week. If you happen to fall behind in the schedule, you will need to catch up by extending your study day or working on the program over the weekend. During phases two and four, you are required to be in attendance and actively participating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) for large and small group activities, discussions, and interviews.
- Arrive prepared, confident, and ready to work on day one of your articles.
- Reduce competing priorities between your Bar admission program and articling.
- Your Principal can be confident that you can be assigned complex work knowing you have learned and practiced the lawyer competencies you need to contribute to your firm effectively.
The total program cost is $6,100, plus applicable taxes.
The employer or the candidate may pay for the tuition, but the employer is under no obligation to cover the costs.
CPLED requires confirmation from your law society of your membership status before applying the subsidy amount to an invoice. Follow up with your law society to learn of your membership status before inquiring with CPLED about your invoice(s).
To be eligible for Accelerated PREP, you must have your Canadian common law degree or your Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Secured articles are not required to participate in this program. However, please note the requirement for secured articles may change if your law society advises CPLED of a change.
Yes, you can register and complete Accelerated PREP without a secured articling position. However, please note the requirement for secured articles may change if your law society advises CPLED of a change.
To be eligible for Accelerated PREP, you must have your Canadian common law degree or your Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
You are required to work on your studies full-time, five days a week. Attendance is mandatory for the five-day Foundation Workshops and the four-day Capstone. You must dedicate a full day of study (seven and a half hours) five days a week. Due to the program’s fast-paced nature and heavy workload, firms should not assign work while you complete the program; it also does not allow time for you to be absent or take breaks, such as a vacation while enrolled. Accelerated PREP is demanding, and if you fall behind, you will be withdrawn and will be required to register for another intake of PREP.
You must have a reliable high-speed internet connection along with a computer with a camera and microphone. You will be recording yourself and uploading assignments throughout the program. While materials can be accessed via tablets and smartphones, laptops are recommended when uploading recordings and assignments.
Demonstrate overall entry-level competence in the Capstone assessment. Refer to the PREP Progression Policy and Capstone Policy for more information.
Final assessment results will be released approximately six weeks after the Capstone assessment concludes.
If you are unsuccessful with achieving entry-level competence at your Capstone assessment, you will have an opportunity to reattempt the Capstone. Refer to the Capstone Policy for more information.
