Osgoode Hall Law School | 2025-2026 FGS Academic Calendar /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026 Mon, 09 Sep 2024 17:32:50 +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 for Law Enforcement Professionals /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026/law-for-law-enforcement-professionals/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:06:25 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2023-2024dev/law-for-law-enforcement-professionals/
LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
2033 Ignat Kaneff BuildingresGPA@osgoode.yorku.ca

The Graduate Diploma in Law for Law Enforcement Professionals is the only program of its kind in Canada. Designed and co-taught by law enforcement professionals, this innovative program focusses on the substantive law issues–as contrasted with the legal procedural issues–confronting policing professionals in their day-to-day work.

This flexible, part-time program is designed to meet the needs of all professionals working in the sector. The program is delivered in small group seminars over a two-year period. There is one two-day in-person requirement at the on-set of the program for Policing and the Charter. The remainder of the program’s courses are evening courses which students can participate in in-person or remotely via video conferencing.

Admission Requirements

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

A bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average or equivalent and at least five years of relevant professional experience.

The graduate diploma program considers applicants who do not meet this requirement on the basis of significant senior related experience.

In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must meet the language requirements outlined on the .

Diploma Requirements

Students must complete 18 course credits in total, including the required courses:

Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 6204 6.0: Policing and the Charter
Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 6205 3.0: Policing Vulnerable Communities
Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 6206 3.0: Police Oversight and Accountability
Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 7005 0.0: Online Legal Research and Writing Tutorial

Elective courses include
Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 6207 3.0: Legal Issues Related to Managing Law Enforcement Professionals
Law for Law Enforcement Professionals 6208 3.0: Foundations of Evidence for Law Enforcement Professionals
Select electives drawn from the LLM in Criminal Law & Procedure

For more information contact Osgoode Professional Development, 1 Dundas Street West, 26th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1Z3;
admissions-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca or (416) 673-4670.

]]> Foundations of Canadian Law /gradstudies/academiccalendar/2025-2026/foundations-of-canadian-law/ Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:06:16 +0000 /gradstudies-academiccalendar-2023-2024dev/foundations-of-canadian-law/
LocationEmail AddressProgram Website
0015 Ignat Kaneff Buildingpa-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca

The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is the only program of its kind in Canada. It is designed to provide a deep understanding of Canadian law in the key areas of public and private law. It covers foundational aspects of the Canadian legal landscape, including Canada’s legal history and structure; skills-focused topics, such as legal research and writing; and more specialized topics, through elective courses chosen by students. Students learn from expert faculty members and network with professionals across a variety of industries. The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law opens the doors to better career opportunities in the Canadian legal market and may set the stage for further graduate study.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, an applicant must normally meet the following criteria: a bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall “B” average or equivalent and at least two years of professional experience in which they have been exposed to law or risk issues.

The graduate diploma program considers applicants who do not meet this requirement on the basis of significant senior related experience.

In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must meet the language requirements outlined on the .

Diploma Requirements

Students must complete 18 course credits in total, including the required courses:
Graduate Diploma in Canadian Law 6201 3.0: Canadian Legal Research and Analysis
Graduate Diploma in Canadian Law 6202 3.0: Academic and Applied Legal Writing
Graduate Diploma in Canadian Law 6203 3.0: Introduction to Canadian Public Law
Graduate Diploma in Canadian Law 6204 3.0: Introduction to Canadian Private Law

Additionally, students must complete 6 credits of electives drawn from Osgoode Professional Development’s many Professional LLM specializations. Electives may include the following:

Canadian Common Law 6843 6.0: Canadian Criminal Law
Canadian Common Law 6841 6.0: Canadian Constitutional Law
Business Law for International Students 6838 6.0: Business Associations for International Law Graduates
Canadian Common Law 6840 6.0: Contract Law
Canadian Common Law 6855 6.0: Fundamentals of Family Law
Canadian Common Law 6876 6.0: Real Estate Transactions

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