Law

Program Overview

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a one-year degree program that provides students with an opportunity for more profound study beyond their first law degree. (Please note: the LLM program is an academic program and is not designed to meet National Committee on Accreditation [NCA] requirements.)

The LLM program can be thesis intensive (with either a shorter or longer thesis) or coursework only. The longer thesis option is for law students who have demonstrated a strong potential for advanced research and writing in a common law system. The shorter thesis option and coursework-only formats are for law students who wish to specialize in a specific area of law or explore common law at an advanced level.

Within the LLM program, students also have the option of applying to pursue one of four areas of concentration: Business Law; Criminal Law; Health Law, Ethics and Policy; or Legal Theory. Students accepted into a concentration will receive a designation on their transcript. The number of places available for students in each of the areas of concentration will be limited, and acceptance into the concentrations will be on a competitive basis.

​The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is designed for scholars with no prior training in law who wish to acquire knowledge of law in order to add a legal dimension to scholarship in their own discipline.

The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), a thesis degree program which normally takes three years to complete, is for outstanding law students seeking to pursue careers in teaching, policy, and research.

The Faculty of Law also offers the Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM)​.

Quick Facts

Master of Laws

Program Description

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a one-year degree program that provides students with an opportunity for more profound study beyond their first law degree.

The LLM program can be thesis-intensive (with both a short or long thesis option) or coursework-only. The short and long thesis options are for law students who have demonstrated a strong potential for advanced research and original scholarship. The coursework-only option is for law students who wish to specialize in a specific area of law or explore common law at an advanced level.

Within the LLM program, students also have the option of applying to pursue one of four areas of concentration:

• LLM with a Concentration in Business Law

• LLM with a Concentration in Criminal Law

• LLM with a Concentration in Health Law, Ethics, and Policy

• LLM with a Concentration in Legal Theory.

Students accepted into a concentration will receive a designation on their transcript. There are a limited number of spots available for students in each concentration, and acceptance into the concentrations will be competitive.

The program is completed on a full-time basis. Part-time registration may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

LLM Program (No Concentration): Thesis Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or the international equivalent of a law degree, from a recognized university. Applicants must have a minimum B+ average in the final year of their legal studies. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies, i.e., throughout their entire law degree.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a course of studies and a thesis which, combined, are valued at 24 credit hours (equivalent to 6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]).

• Students writing a short thesis must:

  • Complete 20 credit hours of coursework (equivalent to 5.0 FCEs); and

  • Write a thesis worth 4 credit hours (equivalent to 1.0 FCE), and approximately 45 pages or 13,000 words, under the supervision of a graduate faculty member.

• Students writing a long thesis must:

  • Complete 8 credit hours (equivalent to 2.0 FCEs) of coursework; and

  • Write a thesis worth 16 credit hours (equivalent to 4.0 FCEs), and approximately 175 pages or 52,000 words, under the supervision of a graduate faculty member.

• All thesis students must complete:

  • The mandatory graduate seminar for all LLM students who are writing a thesis: LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE); and

  • The mandatory graduate seminar for all LLM students: LAW7572H LLM Seminar (1 credit, or 0.25 FCE).

• All coursework and the student's thesis are graded using the graduate grading scale as outlined in the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy.

• The Faculty offers thesis students some flexibility regarding the number of credits allocated to their thesis. Students writing a short thesis can choose to write a slightly longer thesis for additional credit, and students writing a long thesis can choose to write a slightly shorter thesis for fewer credits. Students who wish to reduce or increase their thesis credits should contact the graduate program coordinator before the Fall add/drop deadline.

• The coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadline of the academic year of attendance; the thesis must be completed by July 31 of the academic year of attendance.

• With approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, the program may be taken on a part-time basis over two years, in which case the coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the second academic year of attendance; the thesis must be completed by July 31 of the second academic year of attendance.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April). Part-time students must be in attendance for at least four academic sessions (September to April of both years of study).

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

LLM Program (No Concentration): Coursework-Only Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or the international equivalent of a law degree, from a recognized university. Applicants must have a minimum B+ average in the final year of their legal studies. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies, i.e., throughout their entire law degree.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a course of studies valued at 28 credit hours (equivalent to 7.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]).

  • Writing requirement. Students pursuing the coursework-only option must satisfy the writing requirement by July 31 by either:

    • Designating one course (3 or 4 credits) as a writing requirement course. Only courses requiring a written assignment of at least 5,000 words (approximately 20 pages) will qualify as a designated writing requirement course. LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship and LAW7572H LLM Seminar do not qualify as a designated writing requirement course.
      
      or

    • Completing the directed research project course (2 or 3 credits; LAW8002H or LAW8003H) requiring a written assignment of 7,000 or 10,500 words, respectively.

• All students in the LLM program must complete the mandatory graduate seminar: LAW7572H LLM Seminar (1 credit, or 0.25 FCE);

• All coursework is graded using the graduate grading scale as outlined in the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy.

• The coursework requirements for all courses apart from the designated writing requirement course must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the academic year of attendance; the writing requirement must be fulfilled by July 31 of the academic year of attendance.

• With approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, the program may be taken on a part-time basis over two years, in which case the coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the second academic year of attendance; the writing requirement must be completed by July 31 of the second academic year of attendance.

• Continuation in Year 2 of the part-time LLM program is subject to the Faculty of Law's determination that the student has made satisfactory progress in Year 1 of the part-time LLM.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April). Part-time students must be in attendance for at least four academic sessions (September to April of both years of study).

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

LLM Program (With a Concentration): Thesis Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or the international equivalent of a law degree, from a recognized university. Applicants must have a minimum B+ average in the final year of their legal studies. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies, i.e., throughout their entire law degree.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

• Applicants applying to one of the four areas of concentration must substantiate their interest in and suitability for the concentration in their statement of interest and research proposal. Applicants may only apply to one of the areas of concentration. Applicants may be admitted into the LLM program without a concentration.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a total of 24 credits (6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) through a combination of coursework and the thesis. The thesis must be in the area of concentration into which the student was accepted.

• Students writing a short thesis and pursuing a concentration must:

  • Complete 20 credit hours of coursework (equivalent to 5.0 FCEs), at least 8 credits (equivalent to 2.0 FCEs) of which must be taken from a list of courses in the area of concentration, which will be provided annually on the program website. The remaining required credits can be satisfied with courses either within or outside the area of concentration.

  • Write a 4-credit hours thesis (equivalent to 1.0 FCE); that is, approximately 45 pages or 13,000 words in length, in the area of concentration under the supervision of a graduate faculty member.

• Students writing a long thesis and pursuing a concentration must:

  • Complete 8 credit hours of coursework (equivalent to 2.0 FCEs).

  • Write a thesis worth 16 credit hours (equivalent to 4.0 FCEs) and approximately 175 pages or 52,000 words in length, in the area of concentration under the supervision of a graduate faculty member.

• Students pursuing the concentration in Legal Theory must complete the mandatory 3-credit course LAW7081H Foundations of Legal Theory (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE). This course will count towards the credits required for the area of concentration.

• All thesis students must complete:

  • The mandatory graduate seminar for all LLM students writing a thesis: LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE).

  • The mandatory graduate seminar for all LLM students: LAW7572H LLM Seminar (1 credit, or 0.25 FCE).

• All coursework and the student's thesis are graded using the graduate grading scale as outlined in the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy.

• The Faculty offers thesis students some flexibility regarding the number of credits allocated to their thesis. Students writing a short thesis can choose to write a slightly longer thesis for additional credit, and students writing a long thesis can choose to write a slightly shorter thesis for fewer credits. Students who wish to reduce or increase their thesis credits should contact the graduate program coordinator before the Fall add/drop deadline.

• The coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadline of the academic year of attendance; the thesis must be completed by July 31 of the academic year of attendance.

• With approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, the program may be taken on a part-time basis over two years, in which case the coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the second academic year of attendance; the thesis must be completed by July 31 of the second academic year of attendance.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April). Part-time students must be in attendance for at least four academic sessions (September to April of both years of study).

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

LLM Program (With a Concentration): Coursework-Only Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or the international equivalent of a law degree, from a recognized university. Applicants must have a minimum B+ average in the final year of their legal studies. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies, i.e., throughout their entire law degree.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

• Applicants applying to one of the four areas of concentration must substantiate their interest in and suitability for the concentration in their statement of interest. Applicants may only apply to one of the areas of concentration. Applicants may be admitted into the LLM program without a concentration.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete a course of studies valued at 28 credit hours (equivalent to 7.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]).

  • Writing requirement. Students pursuing the coursework-only option must satisfy the writing requirement by July 31 by either:

    • Designating one course (3 or 4 credits) as a writing requirement course, which must be in the area of concentration. Only courses requiring a written assignment of at least 5,000 words (approximately 20 pages) will qualify as a designated writing requirement course. LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship, LAW7572H LLM Seminar, and LAW7077H Introduction to the Canadian Legal System do not qualify as a designated writing requirement course.
      
      or

    • Completing the directed research project course (2 or 3 credits; LAW8002H or LAW8003H) requiring a written assignment of 7,000 or 10,500 words, respectively.

• At least 12 of the credits (equivalent to 4.0 FCEs) must be completed from a list of courses in the area of concentration into which the student was accepted. A list of eligible courses will be provided annually on the program website.

• Students pursuing the concentration in Legal Theory must complete the mandatory 3-credit course, LAW7081H Foundations of Legal Theory (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE). This course will count towards the credits required for the area of concentration.

• All students in the LLM program must complete the mandatory graduate seminar: LAW7572H LLM Seminar (1 credit, or 0.25 FCE).

• All coursework is graded using the graduate grading scale as outlined in the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy.

• The coursework requirements for all courses apart from the designated writing requirement course must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the academic year of attendance; the writing requirement must be fulfilled by July 31 of the academic year of attendance.

• With approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, the program may be taken on a part-time basis over two years, in which case the coursework requirements must be completed by the Faculty’s Winter sessional deadlines of the second academic year of attendance; the writing requirement must be completed by July 31 of the second academic year of attendance.

• Continuation in Year 2 of the part-time LLM program is subject to the Faculty of Law's determination that the student has made satisfactory progress in Year 1 of the part-time LLM studies.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April). Part-time students must be in attendance for at least four academic sessions (September to April of both years of study). Students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April).

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time (exceptional circumstances only)

Dual Degree Program: Bachelor of Laws (National University of Singapore) / Master of Laws (University of Toronto)

Program Description

This dual degree program is offered as part of the Master of Laws (LLM)’s coursework-only option, with or without a concentration. Students are not eligible to take the thesis option.

Students complete three years of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and in Year 4 complete the LLM degree at the University of Toronto. Students complete the LLB and LLM degrees in four years rather than the five years it would take to attain them separately. See the LLM coursework requirements (with or without a concentration) above.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of both programs, students receive a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws degree.

Contact

Bachelor of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
Email: lawUGadm@nus.edu.sg

Master of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Email: gradadmissions.law@utoronto.ca

Application Process

• Initial consideration for admission to the dual degree program will be based on the applicant’s performance during the first three terms of the NUS LLB program.

• All offers of admission to the dual degree program will be conditional upon successful completion of all Year 1, 2, and 3 requirements of the LLB program before starting the LLM program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of the first three years of the NUS LLB program, with the equivalent of a B+ average. Preference will be given to those who maintain this average throughout their legal studies.

• Applicants applying to one of the four areas of concentration must substantiate their interest in and suitability for the particular area of concentration in their statement of interest. Applicants may only apply to one of the areas of concentration. Applicants may be admitted into the LLM program without a concentration.

• Residence. Students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April).

Dual Degree Program: Bachelor of Laws (Torcuato Di Tella University) / Master of Laws (University of Toronto)

Program Description

This dual degree program is offered as part of the Master of Laws (LLM)’s coursework-only option, with or without a concentration. Students are not eligible to take the thesis option.

Students complete nine sessions (four and a half years) of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Torcuato Di Tella University (UTDT). In the Fall session of Year 5, students register in the University of Toronto LLM degree program and complete three sessions (September through August). Students complete the LLB and LLM degrees in five and a half years (11 sessions) rather than the six years it would take to attain them separately. See the LLM coursework requirements (with or without a concentration).

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of both programs, students receive a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws degree.

Contact

Bachelor of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, Torcuato Di Tella University
Email: alexm@utdt.edu

Master of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Email: gradadmissions.law@utoronto.ca

Application Process

• Initial consideration for admission to the dual degree program will be based on the applicant’s performance during the first eight sessions of the UTDT LLB program.

• All offers of admission to the dual degree program will be conditional upon successful completion of all Year 1, 2, 3, and 4 requirements of the LLB program before starting the LLM program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of the first nine sessions (four and a half years) of the UTDT LLB program, with the equivalent of a B+ average. Preference will be given to those who maintain this average throughout their legal studies.

• Applicants applying to one of the four areas of concentration must substantiate their interest in and suitability for the area of concentration in their statement of interest. Applicants may only apply to one of the areas of concentration. Applicants may be admitted into the LLM program without a concentration.

• Residence. Students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April).

Dual Degree Program: Bachelor of Laws (Tsinghua University) / Master of Laws (University of Toronto)

Admissions to this dual degree are suspended for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.

Program Description

This dual degree program is offered as part of the Master of Laws (LLM)’s coursework-only option, with or without a concentration. Students are not eligible to take the thesis option.

Students complete two years of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Tsinghua University, and in Year 3 complete the LLM degree at the University of Toronto.

Students complete the LLB and LLM degrees in four years rather than the five years it would take to attain them separately. See the LLM coursework requirements (with or without a concentration) above.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of both programs, students receive a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws degree.

Contact

Bachelor of Laws Program
Law School, Tsinghua University
Email: to be confirmed

Master of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Email: gradadmissions.law@utoronto.ca

Dual Degree Program: Master of Laws (University of Toronto) / Juris Master (Tsinghua University)

Admissions to this dual degree are suspended for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.

Program Description

This dual degree program is offered as part of the Master of Laws (LLM)'s coursework-only option, with or without a concentration. Students are not eligible to take the thesis option.

Students complete the LLM and Juris Master (JM) degrees in three years and one session rather than the four years it would take to attain them separately. See the LLM coursework requirements (with or without a concentration) above.

• Years 1 and 2: students register in the Tsinghua University JM program.

• Fall session of Year 3: students register in the University of Toronto LLM program.

• Winter session of Year 3: students return to the Tsinghua University JM program.

• Fall session of Year 4: students register in the University of Toronto LLM program and complete the dual degree by the end of that session.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of both programs, students receive a Master of Laws degree and a Juris Master degree.

Contact

Juris Master Program
Law School, Tsinghua University
Email: to be confirmed

Master of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Email: gradadmissions.law@utoronto.ca

Dual Degree Program: Master of Laws (University of Toronto) / Master of Laws (Tsinghua University)

Admissions to this dual degree are suspended for the 2024-25 admissions cycle.

Program Description

This dual degree program is offered as part of the Master of Laws (LLM)’s coursework-only option, with or without a concentration. Students are not eligible to take the thesis option.

Students complete the two LLM degrees in two years and one session rather than the three years it would take to attain them separately. See the LLM coursework requirements (with or without a concentration) above.

• Year 1: students register in the Tsinghua University LLM program.

• Fall session of Year 2: students register in the University of Toronto LLM program.

• Winter session of Year 2: students return to the Tsinghua University LLM program.

• Fall session of Year 3: students register in the University of Toronto LLM program and complete the dual degree program by the end of that session.

Upon successful completion of the degree requirements of both programs, students receive the University of Toronto and Tsinghua University Master of Laws degree.

Contact

Master of Laws Program
Law School, Tsinghua University
Email: to be confirmed

Master of Laws Program
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
Email: gradadmissions.law@utoronto.ca

Master of Studies in Law

Program Description

The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program is designed for scholars with no prior training in law who wish to acquire a legal education and knowledge of law in order to add a legal dimension to scholarship in their own discipline.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have completed at least a master's degree, and preferably a doctorate, from a recognized university with a demonstrated high level of scholarship in a discipline related to law. Applicants must have a least a B+ average in their final year of study. Preference will be given to applicants who have maintained this average throughout their studies.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Program Requirements

• MSL students must pursue a course of studies approved by the Faculty.

  • The course of studies will comprise at least 28 credit hours (7.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]), and not more than 32 credit hours (equivalent to 8.0 FCEs), and will include at least three of the following subjects: contracts, torts, property, criminal law, constitutional law, and civil procedure.

  • Students must complete a research project of an interdisciplinary nature during their studies at the Faculty of Law. The project must be completed in the context of one of the courses that students are completing for credit.

  • A mandatory graduate seminar: LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE).

  • In no circumstance will courses taken in the MSL program be accredited for the Juris Doctor (JD) program.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April).

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Doctor of Juridical Science

Program Description

The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is a thesis degree program for outstanding law students seeking to pursue careers in teaching, policy, and research. Students receive a guaranteed funding package for three years. Inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Graduate Program, Faculty of Law at the address above.

Applicants may enter the SJD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Laws; or 2) direct entry following completion of an appropriate Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree.

SJD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Laws, or the equivalent of each degree, from a recognized university. Applicants must have a minimum B+ average in their Master of Laws. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete the mandatory graduate seminar LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits, or 0.75 full-course equivalents [FCEs]).

  • Other coursework requirements are optional and shall be determined upon consultation with the supervisor. All coursework shall be subject to the approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Law.

• Area requirement. Before being allowed to proceed with formal research on a thesis topic, a student must demonstrate competence in a broader area within which the topic falls. The student's supervisory committee (established by the student and approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law) assists in framing that area and compiling an appropriate plan for carrying out the research. The research undertaken by the student either culminates in a written exam, based on the reading list, or a research project, which is either a draft of a chapter of the thesis or an overview of the general argument. Both paths lead to an oral exam based on the written work and the reading list (the "area exam"). Unless approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate of Graduate Studies, a student must satisfy the area requirement by the end of Year 1 of registration.

• Research and writing. A student will not be allowed to continue in the doctoral program, where, in the opinion of the Area Committee, the student is not capable of demonstrating the capacity for independent legal research and writing at an advanced level, including through the satisfaction of the area exam.

• Year 2 presentation. At the end of Year 2 of registration, students must present an abstract of their work in progress or a draft chapter to an audience of their peers and interested faculty. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the student with a forum to collect feedback from a broad audience.

• Annual meetings. Students must meet with their entire supervisory committee at least once a year.

• Thesis. Following completion of the requirements above, a thesis must be prepared which, in the opinion of the Faculty of Law, constitutes a distinct contribution to legal research or scholarship, and the student must pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination based on the thesis.

  • The thesis must be completed within five years from the date of enrolment in the program.

  • No candidate will be recommended for the degree until the thesis has been approved by the Faculty of Law and is presented in publishable form, as described in the PhD regulations in this calendar.

• Residence. Students must be in full-time attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months):

  • September to April for those starting the program in September; or

  • January to April and September to December for those starting the program in January.

Program Length

3 years

Time Limit

5 years

SJD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have obtained a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree, or the equivalent of a law degree, from a recognized university. A minimum A– average is required in the final year of their legal studies. Preference will be given to applicants who maintain this average throughout their legal studies, i.e., during the course of their entire law degree.

• The Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law has the discretion to permit direct entry into the SJD following completion of the Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree where the Graduate Admissions Committee is satisfied that the applicant demonstrates excellent potential for independent legal research and writing at an advanced level.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete at least 8 credit hours (2.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) including the mandatory graduate seminar: LAW1000H Alternative Approaches to Legal Scholarship (3 credits, or 0.75 FCE).

  • All coursework shall be subject to the approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law.

• Area requirement. Before being allowed to proceed with formal research on a thesis topic, a student must demonstrate competence in a broader area within which the topic falls. The student's supervisory committee (established by the student and approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law) assists in framing that area and compiling an appropriate plan for carrying out the research. The research undertaken by the student either culminates in a written exam, based on the reading list, or a research project, which is either a draft of a chapter of the thesis or an overview of the general argument. Both paths lead to an oral exam based on the written work and the reading list (the "area exam"). Unless approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, a student must satisfy the area requirement by the end of Year 1 of registration.

• Research and writing. A student will not be allowed to continue in the doctoral program, where, in the opinion of the Area Committee, the student is not capable of demonstrating the capacity for independent legal research and writing at an advanced level, including through the satisfaction of the area exam.

• Year 2 presentation. At the end of Year 2 of registration, students must present an abstract of their work in progress or a draft chapter to an audience of their peers and interested faculty. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the student with a forum to collect feedback from a broad audience.

• Annual meetings. Students must meet with their entire supervisory committee at least once a year.

• Thesis. Following completion of the area requirements, a thesis must be prepared which, in the opinion of the Faculty of Law, constitutes a distinct contribution to legal research or scholarship, and the student must pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination based on the thesis.

  • The thesis must be completed within six years from the date of enrolment in the program.

  • No candidate will be recommended for the degree until the thesis has been approved by the Faculty of Law and is presented in publishable form, as described in the PhD regulations in this calendar.

• Residence. Students must be in full-time attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months):

  • September to April for those starting the program in September; or

  • January to April and September to December for those starting the program in January.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

6 years

Concentration: Business Law

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have completed a Juris Doctor (JD), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or a bachelor's degree (in law or another discipline) from a recognized university, with a minimum mid-B average or equivalent in their final year of study.

• Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five years of full-time work experience.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (bachelor's degree) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • TOEFL with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): overall score of 86 with at least 22 in both the listening and reading components, 40 in the writing component, and 7 in the speaking component (Test of Oral Proficiency).

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English-language test.

Program Requirements

• Coursework: 30 credits (7.5 full-course equivalents [FCEs]), as follows:

  • One required 3-credit course (equivalent to 0.75 FCE) as follows:

    • LAW4001H Law and Business in a Global Economy

  • 12 credits (equivalent to 3.0 FCEs) consisting of four courses within this concentration worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE total) from this list:

    • LAW4002H Comparative Corporate Governance

    • LAW4003H Securities Regulation and Corporate Finance

    • LAW4004H Mergers and Acquisitions

    • LAW4005H Canadian and Cross-Border Issues in Corporate Tax

    • LAW4006H International Dispute Resolution

    • LAW4011H Law and Policy of Public Private Partnerships

    • LAW4012H Intellectual Property Law

    • LAW4013H Economic and Social Regulation and Competition Law

    • LAW4014H International Insolvency Law

    • LAW4015H Organization of Transactional Legal Practice

    • LAW4018H Foundations of Legal Theory

    • LAW4019H Anti-Corruption Law: International, Domestic, and Practical Perspectives

    • LAW4022H Contract Law

    • LAW4032H Intellectual Property and Strategy

    • LAW4036H Applied Contract Law

    • LAW4053H Law and Regulation of Banks and Financial Institutions

    • LAW4057H Cannabis Law and Regulation

    • LAW4058H Competition Law

    • LAW4059H Digital Trade

    • LAW4061H Issues in Tax Law and Policy

    • LAW4062H Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law

  • 15 credits (equivalent to 3.75 FCEs) consisting of five courses worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE total) from any concentration. Not all courses will necessarily be available every year. The program reserves the discretion to decline student requests to complete certain electives based on course enrolment or otherwise.

Full-Time Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Extended Full-Time Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Concentration: Canadian Law in a Global Context

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree (in law or another discipline) from a recognized university, with a minimum mid-B average or equivalent in their final year of study

• Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of full-time work experience. However, applicants without five years of full-time work experience may be eligible for admission. If admitted, they will only be eligible to enrol in courses within the Canadian Law in a Global Context concentration.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (bachelor's degree) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • TOEFL with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: overall minimum score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: overall minimum score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): overall score of 86 with at least 22 in both the listening and reading components, 40 in the writing component, and 7 in the speaking component (Test of Oral Proficiency).

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English-language test.

Program Requirements

• Coursework: 30 credits (7.5 full-course equivalents [FCEs]), as follows:

  • One required 3-credit course (equivalent to 0.75 FCE) as follows:

    • LAW4010H Foundations of Canadian Law

  • 12 credits (equivalent to 3.0 FCEs) consisting of four seminar courses within this concentration worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE total) from this list:

    • LAW4007H Canadian Administrative Law

    • LAW4008H Canadian Constitutional Law

    • LAW4009H Canadian Criminal Law

    • LAW4017H Professional Responsibility

    • LAW4020H Property Law

    • LAW4021H Tort Law

    • LAW4022H Contract Law

    • LAW4023H Business Organizations

    • LAW4024H Applied Legal Research and Writing

    • LAW4051H Evidence Law

    • LAW4060H Advanced Criminal Law: Financial Crimes in a Global Context

    • LAW4064H Negotiation (Credit/No Credit)

    • LAW4065H The Emergence of LegalTech

    • LAW4066H Trial Advocacy (Credit/No Credit)

    • LAW4067H Employment Law

  • 15 credits (3.75 FCEs) consisting of five courses worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE) from any concentration. Not all elective courses will necessarily be available every year. The program reserves the discretion to decline student requests to complete certain electives based on course enrolment or otherwise.

Note: Canadian Law in a Global Context students without the minimum five years of full-time work experience may only select electives from within their concentration.

Full-Time Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Extended Full-Time Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Concentration: Innovation, Law and Technology

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree (in law or another discipline) from a recognized university, with a minimum mid-B average or equivalent in their final year of study.

• Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five years of full-time work experience.

• Applicants should demonstrate an interest in technology and entrepreneurship in their application materials.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (bachelor's degree) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests:

  • TOEFL with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 600, and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum overall score of 100/120, and 24/30 on each section.

  • IELTS, Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

  • The Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): overall score of 86 with at least 22 in both the listening and reading components, 40 in the writing component, and 7 in the speaking component (Test of Oral Proficiency).

  • The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English-language test.

Program Requirements

• Coursework: 30 credits (7.5 full-course equivalents [FCEs]), as follows:

  • One required 3-credit course (equivalent to 0.75 FCE) as follows:

    • LAW4026H Introduction to Law and Technology

  • 12 credits (equivalent to 3.0 FCEs) consisting of four courses within this concentration worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE total) from this list:

    • LAW4012H Intellectual Property Law

    • LAW4027H Legal Technology and Informatics

    • LAW4028H Blockchain, Digital Assets, and the Law

    • LAW4030H Financing Technological Innovation

    • LAW4031H Cybersecurity and Data Protection in a Global Information Economy

    • LAW4032H Intellectual Property and Strategy

    • LAW4033H Design Thinking

    • LAW4034H Launching Technology Ventures

    • LAW4035H The Internet of Things

    • LAW4036H Applied Contract Law

    • LAW4046H Privacy and Data Governance

    • LAW4047H The Legal Challenges of Digital Environments

    • LAW4052H Law of Software Development and Commercialization

    • LAW4055H Disruptive Innovations and Legal Infrastructure

    • LAW4063H Regulation of Artificial Intelligence: A Legal and Practical Study

  • 15 credits (equivalent to 3.75 FCEs) consisting of five courses worth 3 credits each (0.75 FCE total) from any concentration. Not all elective courses will necessarily be available every year. The program reserves the discretion to decline student requests to complete certain electives based on course enrolment or otherwise.

Full-Time Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Extended Full-Time Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time