Cameron Miranda
Canada is a great place to pursue a law degree, as it offers a modern, diverse environment to achieve your educational goals. The country's legal system is based on British common law, with a bi-jurisdictional system featuring both public and private law. To become a lawyer in Canada, individuals need to complete an undergraduate degree and then attend law school, which typically takes about four years. Many schools offer part-time programs to provide flexibility for students who wish to work or have other commitments. Part-time programs are often more financially feasible, as students can continue working and distribute the costs of tuition over a longer period. OsgoodePD, for example, offers a part-time graduate diploma in the Foundations of Canadian Law, which is designed for working professionals without formal legal training. This program allows students to gain a firm grounding in the basic principles of Canadian public and private law, while also building their legal writing, research, and analysis skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law |
| Course Provider | OsgoodePD |
| Course Type | Part-time |
| Course Length | 16 months or four academic terms |
| Course Format | Distance learning with synchronous two-way video streaming |
| Course Flexibility | Students can customise their course load and choose from a range of elective courses |
| Course Content | Introduction to public and private law in Canada, legal writing, research and analysis skills |
| Course Prerequisites | No formal legal training required |
| Course Benefits | Designed for working professionals who want to fit the program around their job |
| Additional Requirements to Practice Law in Canada | Completion of a law degree, provincial bar exams, Law Practice Program, and articling |
| Law Degree Length in Canada | Typically four years |
| Law School Entry Requirements | Completion of undergraduate coursework totalling three academic years, high grade point average, LSAT test |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time law school in Canada: Costs and benefits
Part-time law school programmes in Canada offer students the flexibility to balance their studies with work and other commitments. While the length of part-time programmes varies, they typically take between five and seven years to complete. This longer time frame can make obtaining a law degree more financially feasible for some students.
Costs
The cost of a part-time law degree in Canada is typically distributed over a longer period than a full-time programme, as students take fewer classes at a time. For example, part-time students at OsgoodePD take 18 credits overall, with six of those earned through elective courses. This flexibility allows students to work while studying, providing an income during their studies.
Benefits
Part-time law school programmes offer students the opportunity to gain relevant work experience while earning their degree, which can help advance their careers. This option is particularly beneficial for students already working in related fields, such as paralegals or legal secretaries. Additionally, part-time students can develop attractive skills for employers, such as time management and organisation.
Part-time programmes also offer flexibility in terms of learning delivery. For example, OsgoodePD's part-time graduate diploma in Canadian Law offers a distance learning option with two-way video streaming, allowing remote students to interact with their peers on-site. Schools with part-time law programmes often provide evening or weekend classes to accommodate students' schedules.
Drawbacks
While part-time law school offers benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. The longer duration of part-time programmes means that obtaining a law degree may take significantly longer than a full-time programme. Additionally, part-time students may need to balance their studies with work and other commitments, which can be challenging.
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Law school entry requirements
To become a lawyer in Canada, you need to complete the proper educational requirements and work through a series of programs to obtain the desired level of education. This typically involves completing an undergraduate degree and then attending law school. The first-level common law degree in Canada is the Juris Doctor or JD, which takes three years to complete. It is an undergraduate degree program that requires prior undergraduate education for entry.
Most law schools in Canada require completion of coursework totalling three academic years' worth of undergraduate study. Three-year or four-year undergraduate degrees from accredited, recognised higher education institutions worldwide are generally eligible. It is worth noting that your application will be more competitive if you have completed your undergraduate degree, especially for holders of three-year degrees.
In addition to academic requirements, there is competition to get into well-respected law schools in Canada. Applicants need to have a high grade point average and prove themselves as worthy candidates. The LSAT is a standardised test that measures the skills necessary for students to enter law school and is often used as a benchmark for consideration. Community involvement, personal statements, and work experience can also contribute to whether the school will accept a student.
For international students wishing to enrol in a law school in Canada, it is important to obtain a student visa. The university itself can help the student to achieve these necessary documents. If your law degree is from a school outside of Canada, you will need to meet certain accreditation requirements by the NCA to practice law in the country.
There are several law schools in Canada that offer part-time programs, such as OsgoodePD, providing flexibility for students with other commitments. The part-time Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is designed for working professionals without formal legal training to gain a grounding in the basic principles of public and private law in Canada. This program can be completed in 16 months or four academic terms, and students can customise their course load.
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Law degree specialisations
Canada is a popular study destination for international students, with over 323,000 choosing to study there. This is due in part to the country's focus on the quality of its universities and its emphasis on attracting international students.
There are 24 law schools in Canada, offering a range of specialisations for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. A Bachelor of Law or LLB degree is typically a three-year program that covers various facets of law, including the fundamentals of the legal system, conducting legal research and analysis, and legal writing. The LLB can be a career option for anyone, regardless of their previous educational background. All you need is a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to be eligible to pursue an LLB degree.
The University of Calgary offers a JD Program that can be completed in six years of part-time study, rather than three years of full-time study. Students who have completed their first year of study at a Canadian common law school may apply to the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary to complete two years of legal study and receive their JD.
York University offers a Part-Time Canadian Common Law programme, as well as a Professional General Law program. OsgoodePD also offers a part-time Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law, which is designed to familiarise students with core research, analysis and writing skills.
Master of Laws (LLM) degrees are also available in Canada, offering specialisations in European Public Law, Environmental Law, Corporate Law, Taxation, Human Rights, and Criminal Justice. LLM degrees can be studied full-time, part-time, or online, and graduates can go on to careers as lawyers, law professors, judges, diplomats, politicians, legal counsellors, and mediators.
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Law school extracurriculars
Law schools in Canada consider extracurricular activities when accepting students into their programs. While your GPA and LSAT scores are the most important deciding factors, extracurriculars can also impact your application and give insight into your character, passions, and skills. They show that you can juggle and excel at multiple commitments, and demonstrate discipline and the necessary skills to help you thrive in law school.
Some extracurricular activities stand out more than others on a law school application. These include activities that cultivate legal skills, such as research and writing, service activities, substantial time commitments, leadership and teamwork, and law-related activities like mock trial, public speaking, political activism, or working in law or policy. For example, volunteering at legal clinics or non-profit organizations, and participating in trial advocacy and client counselling competitions.
However, it's important to strike the right balance. Taking on too many extracurricular commitments may lower your grades. It's more about showing passion and telling a story than having a large number of impressive extracurriculars. Hobbies can also make great fodder for law school interviews, and can show that you are a lifelong learner.
Extracurriculars outside of school, such as marathons, internships, and jobs, can also boost your law school application. These don't have to be law-related, but they must demonstrate that you can manage both work and school. Gaining a promotion or award at work will boost your application even more. Joining extracurriculars where you can take on leadership roles is also a good idea, as lawyers are expected to be self-directed.
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Law school graduate career options
In Canada, the first-level common law degree is the Juris Doctor or JD, which takes three years to complete. It is an undergraduate degree program that requires prior undergraduate education for entry. After graduating, students must write and pass the provincial bar exams and complete the Law Practice Program, which includes articling under a licensed lawyer for ten months, before they can be admitted to the bar and practice law.
Law school graduates can pursue various career paths beyond traditional legal practice. Here are some options:
Legal Specializations
Law graduates can specialize in various areas of law, including:
- Criminal law
- Constitutional law
- Property law
- Advertising law
- Administrative law
- Maritime law
- Antitrust law
- Aviation law
- Corporate law
- Environmental law
- Immigration law
- Data security and privacy law
- Health care law
- Human rights law
- Family law
Alternative Careers
A law degree also opens doors to alternative careers. Here are some options:
- Teaching law as a professor or adjunct
- Arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator
- Legal public relations professional
- Entrepreneur or advisor to start-ups
- Legal journalist
- Policy careers and political positions, such as working for election campaigns, political parties, or political action committees
- Government roles, including congressional staffing
- In-house counsel for businesses
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many Canadian universities offer part-time law programs. For example, OsgoodePD offers a part-time graduate diploma in the Foundations of Canadian Law.
Studying law part-time offers more flexibility, allowing students to work or care for family members while pursuing their degree. Part-time programs are often cheaper, as students take fewer classes per semester, and the costs are distributed over a longer time frame.
Part-time law programs can be time-consuming, as they usually take longer to complete than full-time programs. Additionally, part-time students may have to balance their studies with work and other activities, which can be challenging.
The requirements may vary depending on the university and program. Generally, you need to have completed at least three years of undergraduate studies. Some programs may require you to have a Bachelor of Laws degree or its equivalent. International students will need a student visa.
OsgoodePD's part-time graduate diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is designed for working professionals without formal legal training. It covers the basic principles of public and private law in Canada and can be completed in 16 months or four academic terms. The University of Toronto also offers a Faculty of Law Youth Summer Program, which gives high school students a glimpse into criminal law.
