BA offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Are you thinking of pursuing a career in the legal field, or do you want to know how the legal system affects real world situations? A degree in will expose you to different perspectives on law using interdisciplinary approaches as well as international and comparative perspectives, introducing critical skills for socio-legal study and research. Whether you want to go on to law school and become a lawyer, be a journalist or work in a non-profit organization and create direct change, a degree in Law and Society can lead you towards a great number of future opportunities.
Career Options in Law & Society
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check for regional requirements
- Archivist
- Business Administrator
- Career Counsellor
- Child Welfare Worker
- Classroom Instructor
- Community Worker
- Compliance Officer
- Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
- Data Privacy Officer
- Editor/Publisher
- Ethics Consultant
- Fundraiser
- Government Administrator
- Human Rights Advocate
- Journalist
- Judge
- Labour Relations Specialist
- Law Clerk
- Lawyer
- Legal Aid Worker
- Legislative Aid
- Lobbyist
- Marriage/Family Counsellor
- Media Correspondent
- Mediator
- Non-Profit Administrator
- Paralegal
- Policy Researcher
- Politician
- Public Affairs Consultant
- Public Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Specialist
- Research Analyst (Legal Studies)
- Social Policy Researcher
- Social Media Strategist
- Social Worker
- Speech Writer
- Victims' Advocate
- Youth Worker
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check .
Entry-Level Positions in Law & Society
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check .
- Child Welfare Worker
- Community Worker
- Compliance Officer
- Data Privacy Assistant
- Editor/Publisher
- Government Administrator Assistant
- Human Rights Assistant
- Journal Assistant
- Law Clerk
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Aid Worker
- Legislative Aid
- Lobbyist Assistant
- Media Assistant
- Policy Research Assistant
- Public Affairs Assistant
- Public Policy Analyst Assistant
- Research Assistant (Legal Studies)
- Social Policy Research Assistant
- Youth Worker
For career descriptions, visit . Some occupations may also be found on ; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre鈥檚 homepage in .
Skills Developed through a Degree in Law & Society
Core Skills
- An understanding of the law in its broader social cultural context
- The ability to analyze issues from a variety of perspectives
- An understanding of social issues and their linkage to contemporary legal questions
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
- The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
- The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
- The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
- The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work
Management and Teamwork Skills
- The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
- Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
- The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems
- The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- (LSO): The regulatory body for lawyers and paralegals in Ontario, responsible for ensuring ethical and professional standards in the legal profession.
- (CLSA): An organization that promotes scholarship and research on law and society in Canada, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers.
- (CBA): A national association representing lawyers in Canada, advocating for the legal profession and promoting access to justice.
- (IPAC): A professional association for public administration in Canada, dedicated to advancing the field through research, education, and networking.
- (APPAM): An international organization that promotes the study and practice of public policy, facilitating collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and educators.