Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
The PhD program in Law gives qualified students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in an area of interest to them, under the supervision of our diverse, energetic faculty members.
The Faculty of Law includes endowed chairs in natural resources and business law. Our graduate programs in energy and environmental law are world-renowned. We have experts in a wide variety of areas of law, including international environmental law, internet and cybersecurity law, business law, and legal theory and history.
The Faculty of Law is a home of the Journal of Environmental Law and Practice and for our acclaimed law blog, ABlawg.
Completing this program
- Core Courses: Graduate seminar in legal research and methodology, graduate seminar in legal theory, and independent, supervised research.
- Thesis/Dissertation Proposal
- Written Field of Study Examinations
- Oral Candidacy Examination
- Completion of Original Thesis/Dissertation: Approximately 300 pages in length.
Outcomes
The PhD program is for students passionate about research and writing in a focused area of law, and who may be interested in an academic or research career.
A PhD in law is usually considered a final degree; some graduates go on to post-doctoral research.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis/dissertation and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Four years full-time
Supervisor
A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesLaw and technology; artificial intelligence and law; legal profession. -
Accepting InquiriesSecurities, Financial Market Regulation, Fintech -
Accepting InquiriesTechnology and Intellectual Property Law; Legal Theory & Philosophy
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Accepting InquiriesHealth law and policy, tort law
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Accepting Inquiries
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Accepting InquiriesTechnology and the law
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Accepting InquiriesClimate Change Law -
Accepting InquiriesCriminal law, national security law
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Accepting InquiriesNatural resources law and regulation
Admission requirements
GPA
Typically at least 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 point system.
Minimum education
An LLM or other relevant and appropriate master's degree.
Work samples
Writing sample required.
Documents
Applicants must provide a 10-page statement describing their research interests and propose a dissertation project.
Reference letters
Two academic.
Test scores
None
Supervision and Funding
Applicants must identify a potential supervisor in their application.
English language proficiency
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.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 on reading and writing sections).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in writing courses.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- January 15- application deadline
- February 8- deadline for submission of supporting documents
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
The Faculty of Law
Law Graduate Programs
MFH 2380, 2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
403.210.8718
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