Master of Laws (LLM) Concentration in Legislative Studies

Reflecting Canadas bilingual and trijuridical legal system (civil law, common law, aboriginal law), as well as its location in Canadas Capital, the Faculty of Law offers graduate programs leading to a masters degree and a doctoral degree in Law.

The graduate studies in law are a joint endeavour of the Common Law and Civil Law Sections. We welcome law graduates from both legal systems and from countries around the world. Courses are offered in English or in French, and occasionally in both languages. Students may readily complete their graduate studies while learning something of Canada's other legal and linguistic traditions.

The programs are offered in English and in French, and sometimes in a combination of both. In accordance with University of Ottawa Policy, examinations, assignments and the research paper or thesis may be written in either English or French. The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Master's Program

For the Master of Laws degree (LLM), we offer both a thesis option and a research paper option. While students can pursue these options in any subject, we particularly emphasize the following two fields as well as the fields associated with our six concentrations described below:

• International law; and
• Human rights law.

In the context of the master's with research paper, students have a choice of eight concentrations:

• Global Sustainability and Environmental Law;
• Health Law, Policy and Ethics
• International Humanitarian and Security Law;
• International Trade and Investment Law;
• Law and Social Justice;
• Law and Technology;
• Legislative Studies; and
• Notarial Law

LLM students can also participate in a collaborative program in Women's Studies at the master's level (LLM with Specialization in Women's Studies).

International Reciprocity Agreements

Are you interested in obtaining two LLM degrees and studying abroad? The Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa has international reciprocity agreements with:

• l'Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La défense;
• l'Université Paul-Cézanne (Aix-Marseille University); and
• l'Université de Rennes 1.

Master of Laws with Concentration

Students in the concentration in Legislative Studies must complete the following requirements: 

Note(s):

Duration of the Program

The requirements of the program should be fulfilled within two years. The duration for part-time is four years (12 terms).

Status

Full-time or part-time.

Particular Regulations

These particular regulations supplement the General Regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Part-time Enrollment

A part-time student may not take more than one activity in a given terms.

Courses in Other Faculties

With the approval of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies in Law, a candidate may be allowed to take a limited number of graduate courses in other faculties.

Language of Instruction

Courses are offered in English or in French, and occasionally in both languages. Students may complete the course requirements of their program in either English or French or a combination of both, subject to the availability of the courses required for the program in question.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units), or the research proposal, or the thesis proposal, or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory, must withdraw from the program.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.