205
Graduate Programs
205.36
Law
205.36 Law
Faculty of Law
4th Floor, Law Centre
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H5
E-mail: admissions@law.ualberta.ca
205.36.1 General Information
The Faculty of Law offers programs of graduate study leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Master of Laws (LLM). The Faculty also offers programs of joint study with the Faculty of Business leading to a combined MBA-JD program.
Entrance Requirements
The minimum admission requirements for the LLM are an undergraduate JD degree with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of the JD at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The minimum admission requirements for the PhD are an LLM degree or its equivalent with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of graduate and undergraduate work. In addition, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based, with at least 25 in each section), an IELTS (Academic) score with a minimum overall band score of 7.0, with at least 5 on each band, or a PTE (Academic) overall minimum score of 68 where applicable is required (see §203.2.4). Specific requirements are found below, under the appropriate degree heading.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance, including graduate research assistantships, may be available to suitably qualified candidates. Such assistance will involve candidates in the performance of certain research duties in the Faculty of Law, although such duties will not impede candidates in the pursuit of their own studies.
The Faculty of Law offers a number of scholarships and awards for PhD and LLM students. Eligible students are considered automatically by the Faculty of Law for these scholarships and awards at the time of admission. A current listing of Faculty of Law scholarships and awards can be found on the Faculty of Law website at www.law.ualberta.ca/graduateprograms.
In addition, the University of Alberta offers certain scholarships to candidates of sufficiently high academic merit.
Inquiries regarding programs, courses and financial assistance other than University scholarships should be made to the Graduate Admissions Officer, Faculty of Law.
205.36.2 The Degree of LLM
Entrance Requirements
Applicants for this program must hold the degree of JD or its equivalent from this or another university, of sufficient standard to satisfy the Graduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Law that they will be capable of undertaking and profiting by the program.
Program Requirements
There are two programs available to students admitted to the LLM. Either may be subsequently used as a qualification for application to the PhD program. Successful completion of either the thesis-based or course-based LLM program, however, does not guarantee admission to the doctoral program. Students wishing to go on to a PhD program must make formal application.
Students must declare which program they intend to follow at the beginning of their graduate studies. Any students wishing to change their program must seek the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Thesis-based LLM: Candidates must successfully defend a thesis of approximately 80 to 100 pages (20,000 to 25,000 words) in length, inclusive of footnotes or endnotes, on a topic selected in consultation with the candidate's supervisor and with the approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), Faculty of Law. In addition, candidates are required to successfully complete at least | |
Course-based LLM: Students must take and pass |
Residency
All thesis-based candidates must complete at least one academic year (i.e., Fall and Winter Terms) in residence at the University.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the LLM will vary according to the previous education and experience of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of 12 months of study is normally required. Thesis-based candidates must complete requirements within four years. Extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. Course-based candidates must complete requirements within six years.
205.36.3 Graduate Courses
Both the PhD and LLM graduate course work requirements will normally include the Graduate Seminar (LAW 696). This seminar offers an advanced analysis of different orientations to doctrinal, empirical, and fundamental research. Particular emphasis varies with the expertise of the instructor with current emphasis being on exploration of liberal and illiberal views of law and legal scholarship. It also provides the participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas on their own developing theoretical and technical approaches to a legal topic.
The Faculty also offers the graduate student Research Paper course (LAW 695) which is open to both PhD and LLM candidates. The Graduate Seminar on Specialized Legal Topics (LAW 699) is a variable topics course and can be taken more than once, provided new subject matter is being offered. PhD and LLM candidates may also take courses in the JD program under a graduate-level course designation and method of evaluation or graduate courses in other Faculties instead of, or in addition to, graduate courses in law with the approval of the PhD candidate's supervisor or the LLM candidate's supervisor or advisor and the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), Faculty of Law, after consideration of the candidate's experience and needs and the availability of courses during the candidate's year of residency.
205.36.4 MBA-JD Joint Program
The Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Law offer a program of joint study which permits students to earn both the MBA and JD degrees in four years.
Students in the first year of either the regular MBA program or the Faculty of Law, as well as new entrants, are eligible to apply for the joint program. Refer to §205.9.3 under Business for program details.
205.36.5 The Degree of PhD
Entrance Requirements
Applicants for this program must normally hold the degree of LLM or its equivalent from this or another university, of sufficient standard to satisfy the Graduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Law, as well as the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, that they will be capable of undertaking and profiting by the program. On an exceptional basis, students enrolled in the Faculty's LLM program may apply to the Graduate Studies Committee, Faculty of Law, to bypass the LLM requirement and enrol as a candidate for the PhD degree.
Program Requirements
The program will normally include a minimum of 
9, normally consisting of the Graduate Seminar (LAW 696) and two other courses, often including a graduate-level Research Paper course (see 205.36.3). However, candidates may take graduate courses in other Faculties, instead of, or in addition to these courses, with the approval of the candidate's supervisor and the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), Faculty of Law, after consideration of the candidate's needs and experience and the availability of courses. As well, candidates must write a detailed dissertation description and outline on a dissertation topic selected in consultation with the candidate's supervisory committee and with the approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), Faculty of Law. This is followed by an oral candidacy examination concerning the dissertation description and outline. A candidate is normally required to complete all course work before taking the oral candidacy exam. After the candidate passes the oral candidacy exam, the candidate will then submit a dissertation approximately 250 to 350 pages (62,500) in length, inclusive of footnotes or endnotes, and make an oral defence of the dissertation.
Residency
The residence period will ordinarily be one academic year (i.e., Fall and Winter terms), assuming an LLM upon entry from a university other than the University of Alberta. Candidates who hold a University of Alberta LLM may secure a waiver of residency, upon recommendation of the supervisory committee and approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), Faculty of Law.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to previous education and experience of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of two calendar years of full-time study is normally required, and candidates must complete requirements within six years. Extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
205.36.6 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Law (LAW).
