LLM program information

Required courses include Research Integrity Tutorial GRAD 7300, Academic Integrity Tutorial GRAD 7500 and the graduate Legal Research and Theory seminar LAW 7112 in the Faculty of Law.

Two additional courses relevant to one’s research area (at least one Law course and a second that may be from outside the Faculty of Law).

Program content

This Program Chart summarizes the requirements to compete the Thesis-based LLM program.

Required courses

Legal Research & Theory Graduate Seminar LAW 7112

This is a mandatory course exclusively for students enrolled in the LLM. This course introduces students to select theoretical and methodological approaches to law.

Thesis advisors

Faculty members at the Faculty of Law engage in scholarly work on the cutting edge of legal issues relevant to our local, national, and international communities. Our research is used by lawyers, courts, legislative bodies and policymakers across the country, and is published in leading journals and books by renowned presses.

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The Faculty of Law is proud of our ability to offer individualized, careful supervision for each of our graduate students. In addition to offering fellowships to high-achieving students and support for conference travel, we offer graduate students a quiet study space in the secure Graduate Student lounge in the 100 level of Robson Hall, and full access to the E.K. Williams Law Library.

The course-based LLM consists of 24 credit hours of coursework, comprised of required courses (6 credit hours) and electives (18 credit hours).

Required Courses:

• LAW 7112 - Graduate Legal Research and Theory (3 credit hours)
• LAW 7002 - Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)

Electives:

At least 12 of the 18 credit hours must be taken within the Faculty of Law. Up to 6 of the 18 credit hours may be graduate level courses in another faculty. 

Students pursuing one of our below-listed LLM streams must take two courses from those approved for the stream. Streams of study include: Human Rights, Business, Indigenous Studies, Law and Society, Criminal Law, and Public Policy. The course-based LLM may also include Practice-based courses (which include our featured clinics).

Required courses

• Legal Research & Theory Graduate Seminar LAW 7112
• Capstone Seminar LAW 7002

LLM Course-based common questions

Q1: Why a course-based LLM?

A course-based LLM appeals to practicing lawyers or to those employed in the legal sector with law-adjacent education and experience (for example, members of the public service). The degree offers further specialized knowledge relevant to one’s career, while providing practical skills and knowledge not obtained from one’s undergraduate education.

Q2: What do I need to do for the Capstone Seminar?

The Capstone Seminar is taken in the final term of one’s course-based LLM, and after the LAW 7112 Graduate Legal Research and Theory prerequisite. The Seminar is designed to provide a venue for students to pursue individual research projects in an area of law that is of personal and/or professional interest. In addition to other evaluated components, students must produce a research paper.

Q3: Tell me about the electives.

In addition to the required 6 credit hours of the course-based LLM, students are required to pass 18 credit hours of electives. At least 12 of the 18 credit hours must be taken within the Faculty of Law at the 7000 level. Up to 6 of the 18 credit hours may be graduate level courses in another faculty.

Q4: Do I need to find an Advisor?

All course-based LLM candidates will be assigned a Study Advisor with expertise in their chosen field of study by the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies.

Program content

This Program Chart summarizes the requirements to compete the course-based LLM program.

*The number of electives taken in Term I or Term 2 may vary. At least 12 of the 18 credit hours must be taken within the Faculty of Law. Up to 6 of the 18 credit hours may be graduate level courses in another faculty.

Application Deadline:

The annual application deadline for Canadian, US and International Applicants to the LL.M. program is December 15.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis. The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications between January and March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to starting term.

The Master of Laws program has only one application deadline per year, and applications are accepted for September entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

• $100 application fee (non-refundable)
• CV/Resumé
• Research proposal
• Statement of Intent
• Three letters of recommendation

All students admitted into the LLM program are considered for funding opportunities; no separate application is required.

The Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies ensures that graduate education at the Faculty of Law is the best it can be. The office is committed to supporting self-directed learning, fostering the timely completion of the LLM, and providing exceptional administrative and academic services.