Law | 2025-2026 FGS Academic Calendar /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:49:50 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Law (Osgoode Hall Law School) /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026/law-osgoode-hall-law-school/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:06:25 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2023-2024dev/law-osgoode-hall-law-school/
LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
2033 Ignat Kaneff BuildingresGPA@osgoode.yorku.ca

Osgoode Hall Law School offers a PhD program and two distinct LLM programs. The PhD and research LLM programs are centred on a major written work and are normally done on a full-time basis, at least initially. The Osgoode Professional Development LLM program is primarily course-based; its programs focus on a variety of legal specializations, with most specializations done on a part-time basis and several available on a full-time basis.

Admission Requirements

LLM

PhD

Research Program

Master of Laws

To be eligible for admission to the LLM Program, candidates normally must possess an academic degree in law, having achieved a level of proficiency which, in the opinion of the Graduate Studies Committee, makes successful completion of graduate studies likely. Normally this will be at least the equivalent of a B average. Candidates must also possess the ability to work with legal materials in the English language. A very limited number of places are available to candidates with superior academic records, but without an academic degree in law, if the Graduate Studies Committee is satisfied that their previous studies have prepared them to undertake legal studies at a graduate level. Applicant admissions are recommended by the Law School for approval by the Faculty of Graduate Studies at 91ŃÇÉ«.

Doctor of Philosophy

To be eligible for admission to the PhD Program, candidates normally must possess an academic degree in law, having achieved a level of proficiency which, in the opinion of the Graduate Studies Committee, makes successful completion of graduate studies likely. Normally this will be at least the equivalent of a high B average. Candidates must also possess the ability to work with legal materials in the English language. Normally, an LLM is a precondition to admission, but exceptional candidates may be admitted directly to the PhD from the JD or its equivalent. A very limited number of places are available to candidates with superior academic records, but without an academic degree in law, who have completed a graduate degree in another discipline and whose studies are related to law. Applicant admissions are recommended by the Law School for approval by the Faculty of Graduate Studies at 91ŃÇÉ«.

Degree Requirements

Master of Laws

Candidates for the LLM degree by thesis must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete at least nine credits in course work, including Law 6610 3.0: Graduate Seminar, and one three credit Study Group on themes that, in any given year, include law and social justice, law in global context, theoretical perspectives on law, law and regulation, and law and economics (Law 6131 3.0, Law 6135 3.0, Law 6139 3.0, Law 6151 3.0 or Law 6155 3.0). Students entering without an LLB are normally required to take at least one additional course as determined by the Graduate Program Director of Law in consultation with the student’s supervisor.

2. In addition to the foregoing coursework, candidates must then, guided by a two-person supervisory committee, successfully complete a thesis of approximately 125 pages in length. Candidates are expected to defend the thesis by oral examination before a three-person examining committee.

3. Acceptable thesis formats are a) standard scholarly monograph thesis; and b) manuscript-based thesis in the form a collection of published scholarship (the “Portfolio Option”).

Candidates for the LLM degree by major research paper must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Successfully complete at least 15 credits in course work, including Law 6610 3.0, Graduate Seminar, and one three credit Study Group on one of the themes listed above under LLM by Thesis (Law 6131 3.0, Law 6135 3.0, Law 6139 3.0, Law 6151 3.0 or Law 6155 3.0). Students entering without an LLB are normally required to take at least one additional course as determined by the Graduate Program Director of Law in consultation with the student’s supervisor.

2. In addition to the foregoing coursework, candidates must then successfully complete a major research paper, of approximately 65 pages in length, to be evaluated normally by two faculty members chosen by the Graduate Program Director of Law.

Law Major Research Paper. Upon completion of coursework, Master of Laws non-thesis candidates remain enrolled in the major research paper until completion of the program. No course credit.

Entry to the LLM program is fall term, on a full-time basis.

The expected degree completion time for full-time master’s students is three terms (the equivalent of one full year). For those students who complete degree requirements earlier than three terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of three terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (the equivalent of four full years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

PhD

PhD students must take at least three courses, two of which are normally Law 6610 3.0: Graduate Seminar and Law 6611 3.0: Graduate Seminar II: Advanced Legal Research Methodologies, and the other an elective course. In addition, they must also participate in two Graduate Study Groups (see themes and course numbers listed above under LLM by Thesis). Participation in the study group is required in the first or second year of PhD studies and one year thereafter, provided PhD students are registered full-time.

Students entering the PhD program without an LLM normally must take at least four courses. In addition, they must participate in study groups on the same basis as described in the preceding paragraph. One of those courses must be the graduate seminar. Note that these are minimum requirements. Often it is in the student’s interest to take additional courses, and very occasionally students are required to do so.

In addition to the foregoing coursework, PhD candidates must then, guided by a three-person supervisory committee, submit an extended dissertation proposal (EDP), normally by the end of their second year (to wit, the end of term 6) and defend the EDP by the end of term 7; and a dissertation. The extended dissertation proposal of approximately 50-70 pages is then examined orally by the student’s committee. Except under circumstances requiring a delay, the examination and any required revisions must be completed before a student is allowed to register for term 8. In the case of circumstances requiring the delay of this submission and/or examination, the supervisor indicates an appropriate timeframe for completion. Following successful completion of the EDP, the dissertation, of approximately 300-350 pages in length, is produced. Candidates are expected to defend their dissertation by oral examination before, at minimum, a five-person examining committee.

Acceptable dissertation formats are a) standard scholarly monograph dissertation; and b) manuscript-based dissertation in the form a collection of published scholarship (the “Portfolio Option”).

Entry to the PhD program is fall term, on a full-time basis.

Normal degree completion time for full-time PhD students is 12 terms (4 years). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms (the equivalent of two full years) of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (the equivalent of six full years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

]]> Law (Osgoode Professional Development) /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026/law-osgoode-professional-development/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:06:25 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2023-2024dev/law-osgoode-professional-development/
LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
0015 Ignat Kaneff Buildingpa-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca

The Osgoode Professional Development LLM program is primarily course-based; its programs focus on a variety of legal specializations, with most specializations done on a part-time basis and several available on a full-time basis.

Admission Requirements

Master of Laws

To be eligible for admission, an applicant normally must meet the following criteria:

A Bachelor of Laws degree or its equivalent from a university outside Canada or a Bachelor of Civil Laws (not a common law degree) from a Canadian university, with an overall B (75%) average or equivalent.

An LLB or JD degree with an overall B average or equivalent. Applicants with less than a B average in the LLB or JD will be considered provided they also have five years or more of relevant practice experience.

In cases where an applicant has relevant experience (typically five years) or where an applicant completed an LLB prior to 1985, a C+ average will usually be considered adequate for admission.

Applicants without an LLB or JD degree will be considered provided they have a university degree, a superior academic record and significant work experience related to the specialization for which they have applied. A graduate degree is preferred.

Applicants without an LLB or JD degree will be conditionally admitted based on completion of the one-week intensive course
General Law 6149 3.0: Introduction to Graduate Legal Studies.
Note: General Law LLM is only open to applicants who hold an LLB or JD.

Some students will also be required to take summer preparatory courses and foundational courses in Introduction to Canadian Law and/or Legal Research and Writing. These courses are generally required for students who have completed their law degree in a country other than Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, and students admitted without an LLB or JD degree.

Applicants whose first language is not English must produce proof of a score of 7.5 on the International English Language Testing System or any of the equivalent scores listed at . Applicants who have completed at least ONE year of full time study at an accredited university where English is the ONLY official language of instruction at the institution level (not only the program level) are not required to provide a language test.

Degree Requirements

Master of Laws

Students in all specializations (except Canadian Common Law, where there is no research requirement) must successfully complete 36 required credits including a research requirement to fulfill their degree requirements. At least 18 of the required 36 credits must be completed from among the home specialization, and up to 6 credits of electives must be completed from outside of the home specialization and a research requirement.

The research requirement can be fulfilled through the following options:

  • A major research paper (70 pages; six credits)
  • An independent significant research paper (30 pages, three credits)
  • A significant research paper (30 pages) completed as the means of assessment for one of the courses within the specialization.

Students completing their degree requirements though the major research paper or independent significant research paper option are required to complete General Law 6101: Advanced Legal Research and Writing Skills.

Administrative Law Required Courses

Administrative Law 6765 3.0: Administrative Law Remedies
Administrative Law 6761 3.0: Some Theoretical Perspectives on Public Law and Administration
Administrative Law 6740 6.0: Overview and Current Developments

Business Law 

Business Law 6735 3.0: Boards of Directors
Business Law 6749 3.0: Corporate Governance
Business Law 6870 3.0: Advanced Corporate Law
Business Law 6902 3.0: Corporate Finance
Business Law 6908 3.0: Corporate Remedies
Business Law 6909 3.0: Corporate Transactions

Canadian Common Law Required Courses 

There are no required courses in this specialization, instead students are required to take at least 18 credits of courses that are listed as “core” courses. If students choose to take all their credits from the Canadian Common Law core offerings, there is no significant research paper component to the degree requirements. Rather, students will do shorter research and writing assignments in each course, along with a final exam as required by the program’s accrediting body.

Constitutional Law Required Courses

Constitutional Law 6728 3.0: Constitutional Remedies
Constitutional Law 6726 3.0: Constitutional Theory
Constitutional Law 6725 3.0: Evidence and Procedure in Constitutional Litigation

Criminal Law & Procedure Required Courses

Criminal Law & Procedure 6786 3.0: The Theory and Practice of Punishment
Criminal Law & Procedure 6784 3.0: Problems of Proof
Criminal Law & Procedure 6782 6.0: Criminal Law & the Charter
Criminal Law & Procedure 6781 6.0: Issues in Criminal Law

Dispute Resolution Required Courses

Dispute Resolution 6300 6.0: Introduction to Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution 6301 6.0: The Theory and Practice of Dispute Resolution

Energy & Infrastructure Law Required Courses

There are no required courses in this specialization, instead students are required to take at least 18 credits of courses that are listed as “core” courses.

Financial Law Courses

Banking & Financial Services Law 6800 3.0: Introduction to Financial Law (non-LLB students)
Banking & Financial Services Law 6901 3.0: Advanced Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law
Banking & Financial Services Law 6914 3.0: Advanced Banking Law

General Law

There are no required courses in this specialization. Instead, students select courses from any specialization, excluding Canadian Common Law, provided that they have the prerequisites for the courses if applicable.

Health Law Required Courses

Health Law 6860 3.0: The Canadian Health Care System: Legal Frameworks
Health Law 6861 3.0: The Canadian Health Care System: Bioethics and the Law

International Business Law

International Business Law 6501 6.0 Comparative Legal Studies in International Business. In addition students must complete at least 18 credits of courses that are listed as “elective” courses for the International Business Law specialization.

Intellectual Property Law Required Courses

Intellectual Property Law 6750 3.0: Introduction to Intellectual Property: Theoretical Frameworks

Labour & Employment Law Required Courses

Labour & Employment Law 6805 3.0: Theories and Perspectives in Labour & Employment Law

Privacy & Cybersecurity Law

Privacy & Cybersecurity Law 6161 6.0: Privacy and Data Security from a Legal, Business and Technological Perspective
Privacy & Cybersecurity Law 6162 6.0: Privacy Law in Canada
Privacy & Cybersecurity Law 6163 3.0: Internet Censorship and Global Surveillance
Privacy & Cybersecurity Law 6164 3.0: The Law of Confidential Information
Privacy & Cybersecurity Law 6165 3.0: Special Topics in Laws Governing Data Use and Data Disclosure

Securities Law Required Courses

Securities Law 6118 3.0: Foundations of Securities Law**
Securities Law 6119 3.0: Securities Law: Theoretical Approaches
Securities Law 6741 6.0: Products, Transactions and Legal Structures
Securities Law 6745 6.0: Litigation and Enforcement

**Only required for students in the Securities Law LLM program who have not had practical or regulator training as securities lawyers in Canada. Students with this experience are not required to take this course.

Tax Law Required Courses

Tax Law 6100 6.0: Tax Policy, Statutory Interpretation and the Foundations of the Taxation of Individuals

Construction Law Required Courses

Construction Law 6500 6.0: Construction Law Theory & Practice
Construction Law 6501 6.0: Construction Dispute Resolution

  • BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY LAW
  • CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAW
  • CIVIL LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
  • FAMILY LAW
  • MUNICIPAL LAW
  • REAL PROPERTY

The Professional LLM program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis depending on the specialization. Some specializations operate on a cohort basis, as all students commence the program at the same time, either in the fall or winter terms. Other specializations have rolling admissions so that new students can start in fall, winter, or summer terms.

The Professional LLM program specializing in International Business Law can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is fall and winter terms.

The expected degree completion time for full-time master’s students is three terms (the equivalent of one full year) or six terms (equivalent to two full years) for part-time students. Students who complete degree requirements earlier than three full-time or six part-time terms, will be billed fees for remaining terms upon completion of degree requirements. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (the equivalent of four full years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.

]]>