Program overview
The course-based LLM program is designed for those seeking to deepen their knowledge of a particular area of law, whether for professional or academic reasons. Students take courses and complete a major research paper on a topic of their choice. The course-based LLM will also appeal to internationally-trained lawyers who seek an introduction to the Canadian legal system, although it is not usually especially helpful for students seeking to satisfy the National Committee of Accreditation’s requirements for legal practice in Canada. The program can be completed on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Full-time students should expect to complete their programs in 12-16 months. A specialization in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law (NREEL) is available. Admission to this program is highly competitive: meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
The Faculty of Law has a wide range of research expertise. We have long been leaders in natural resources, energy and environmental law. Other areas of particular research strength include business and tax law, private law, administrative law and regulation, criminal law, Indigenous people and law, international law, human rights law, legal history and theory, and the law pertaining to privacy, security and technology. The Faculty of Law is a home of the Journal of Environmental Law and Practice and for our acclaimed law blog, ABlawg.
Our LLM program was included in the LLM Guide's top 10 energy law programs worldwide (2019). Our program earns this recognition for strengths in examining the relationship between society and the environment, in defining the interests we claim in the world around us, and in shaping the consequences of using those resources. The faculty has endowed chairs in natural resources law, in business law, and in business regulation. Our substantial law library complemented by the internationally-renowned Canadian Institute of Resources Law, which hosts symposia and publishes research on natural resources and energy law.
Completing this program
- Core Courses: Graduate Seminar in Legal Research and Methodology and Law 707 & 708, in which you complete your Major Research paper.
- Additional Courses: Five additional courses are required. Students completing a specialization in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law must complete these courses in this area.
Specializations
- Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law
Outcomes
Private practice, in-house counsel, government, regulatory bodies and non-governmental organizations in the specialty area. This program is also an efficient springboard to doctoral programs in Law. For more information, email lawgrad@ucalgary.ca
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the Law degree. To be competitive, applicants will generally have GPAs considerably above the minimum.
International applicants should visit this website to determine whether or not their GPAs meet program minima.
Minimum education
Ordinarily, a JD, LLB or equivalent degree in law.
Work samples
None
Documents
- A C.V.
- Writing Sample: Should be approximately 10-30 pages long. It must be your own original writing. It should be reasoned scholarly or professional work that serves to demonstrate to a committee of professors that you have a well-developed capacity for writing, analysis and research. It may be published or unpublished. Do not submit writing that you co-authored with someone else: application files relying on co-authored work will be treated as incomplete. Be prepared to explain in your application the circumstances under which you wrote it. Do not submit any material that is confidential or to which others might have claims of privilege, e.g. confidential or privileged memoranda prepared for clients or employers.
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended, including any that you may currently be attending. Information about transcripts is available HERE
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
None
English language proficiency (ELP)
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (minimum of 25 on the reading and writing components).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.5 in each section and a reading and writing band minimum of 7.0).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (minimum score of 70 on writing and reading sections and 60 in all other sections).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in the Academic Writing and Composition course, a minimum grade of “A-” in the Research Writing and Form course, and a minimum grade of “B+” in all other courses.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.
- Duolingo English Test and obtaining a minimum score of 135* (with no sub-score below 115*). (temporary until Fall 2024 intake).
*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements
Dates and Deadlines
For admission September 1:
- Application portal (below) opens September 1.
- Application deadline: December 1.
- Deadline for submission of supporting documents and reference letters: December 15.
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
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