Design an LLM That Works for You
Osgoode’s Professional LLM in General Law gives lawyers and law graduates the opportunity to build a customized degree by combining courses from two or three of Osgoode’s Professional LLM specializations. Designed for those whose interests extend beyond a single area of practice, the program provides the flexibility to explore complementary fields and develop expertise across disciplines. Whether you are looking to broaden an existing practice, support a career transition, or build knowledge at the intersection of multiple areas of law, the General Law specialization allows you to create a graduate program aligned with your professional goals.
Who should apply
Mid-Career & Senior Lawyers: Experienced lawyers whose practice, clients, or professional interests span multiple areas of law, and who wish to create a customized graduate degree by combining expertise from two or more specializations.
Our students come from a wide range of industries and professional backgrounds, and we encourage prospective applicants to submit their CV for a pre-application review.
Alumni Spotlights
Cherie Daniel
Cherie Daniel’s was looking to bridge the two elements of her career in law and education. After a while of looking for a general law degree to help pivot her practice to new areas of law, she settled on the Osgoode Professional LLM in General Law.
Matthew Yap
Matthew is the Director of Legal Registries at the Government of Northwest Territories, as well as the Superintendent of Securities for the Northwest Territories. The Professional LLM in General Law allowed him to focus his degree in several areas relevant to his career.
Student Services
All Professional LLM students can benefit from our wide range of student services:
Academic Services
Program Orientation
Introductory Courses
Workshops & Resources
Confidential Academic and Wellness Counselling
Career Support
Job Postings
Resources/Guides
Workshops & Events
Counselling
Campus Life
Student Social Activities
Osgoode & York U Extra Curriculars
Professional Networking Events
All of our academic and career development services are available remotely, and counselling hours have varied schedules to suit the needs of part-time students.
Information Sessions
Learn more about the program you’re interested in at your convenience with our on-demand information sessions. Click the button below to navigate to the section that interests you most.
Degree Requirements
The Professional LLM in General Law requires the completion of 36 credits including a research requirement. The program is designed to be completed in two years (six active terms). Students declare 2-3 areas of specialization and draw courses from those areas to create a study plan tailored to their interests and goals.
Selecting Your Areas
Choosing your areas of interest is an important first step. You will need to declare your 2-3 areas as part of your application for admission. We recommend that you start by reviewing the courses offered within each specialization to understand the themes, depth, and range of topics covered.
While you do not need to take an equal number of credits from each of your two or three selected areas, your choices should be driven by the courses you are genuinely interested in completing. When selecting your areas of focus, it is important to look beyond the title of a specialization and review the actual courses offered within it.
Some specializations require you to complete a required course before you can access other electives in that area (see below). If you choose one of these areas, you will need to complete the required course(s) before enrolling in other electives within that specialization.
Because courses are scheduled approximately one year in advance, it is not possible to build a complete two‑year course plan at the admissions stage. However, we strongly encourage prospective applicants to contact us before applying for pre‑application advising. Our team can help you assess whether your selected areas are a good fit for your goals and whether there is sufficient course availability to support your intended program path.
Available Areas by Term:
| Area | Winter 2027 | Fall 2027 | Winter 2028 | Fall 2028 | Required Course(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Business Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Canadian Common Law* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Constitutional Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Construction Law | x | x | x | ✓ | Construction Law Theory & Practice in Fall 2028 |
| Criminal Law & Procedure | x | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Dispute Resolution | x | ✓ | x | ✓ | Introduction to Dispute Resolution (in your first Fall Term) and Theory & Practice of Dispute Resolution (in your first Winter term) |
| Energy and Infrastructure law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Financial Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Health Law | x | x | x | ✓ | Canadian Health Care System: Legal Frameworks in Fall 2028 |
| International Business Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Comparative Legal Studies in International Business |
| Intellectual Property Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Labour and Employment Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Privacy and Cybersecurity Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Securities Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Taxation Law | x | ✓ | x | ✓ | Tax Policy, Statutory Interpretation and the Foundations of Taxation of Individuals (in your first Fall term) |
*Only those with a law degree from outside Canada who are working toward accreditation can select Canadian Common Law.
Research Requirement
The research requirement can be fulfilled through one of the following three options. Most students elect to fulfill the requirement through option 3:
- A Major Research Paper (70 pages, 6 Credits)
- An Independent Significant Research Paper (30 pages, 3 Credits)
- A Significant Research Paper (30 pages) completed as the means of assessment for one of the courses within the specialization.
What to Expect
Shortly after accepting your offer of admission, you will receive detailed information about course schedules, and an invitation to schedule a program-planning meeting with our team. In the meantime, refer to the ‘what to expect’ section of each of the areas of specialization you’re interested in for more information about course scheduling.
In your first term, you may be assigned a required introductory course as a condition of admission. These courses count toward your degree.
Application Dates
The General option accepts new students twice each calendar year, in the Fall term and the Winter term.
Winter 2027
Application Deadlines:
International Applicants are Encouraged to Apply by: April 15, 2026
Final Deadline: September 15, 2026
Fall 2027
Applications Not Currently Open
Applications will open on October 01, 2026
Tuition and Fees
Part-time students pay in six installments over six active terms.
You will be billed an installment for each term in which you enroll in courses. If you complete the program in fewer than six terms, you’ll be billed your remaining installment(s) at the end of your program. If you need more than six terms to complete your credits, extra term fees will apply.
Please note that the tuition/fees displayed here are subject to change, and may vary depending on your entry term.
Domestic (Ontario)
$3,876.80per term for 6 terms
$23,260.80total
Domestic (Out of Province)
$4,070.65per term for 6 terms
$24,423.90total
International
$9,181.81per term for 6 terms
$55,090.86total
Students are also subject to supplementary fees including health benefits. Find out more about supplementary fees here.
Admission Requirements
The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically, considering factors such as academic and professional experience, goals of study, and overall fit with the program. The information below represents the minimum requirements for admission consideration. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission.
JD/LLB degree with Overall B (75%) average (or equivalent)
Professional work experience related to your chosen areas of specialization (at least 2 years)
Acceptable English language proficiency (see requirements)
How to Apply
Create Your OsgoodePD Applicant Profile
Create an applicant profile in our online application portal. This portal allows us to gather your information, transcripts, and other documents electronically. You will receive an email with directions outlining how to create a new password for your application, along with a link to access the application.
Upload Application Documents
The following documents are required:
- Resume/CV
- Writing Sample
- Contact Information for Two References
- Transcripts
- Official Proof of Language Proficiency (if applicable)
For more information, see our Application Documents to Upload section.
Pay and Submit
Once your application is completed, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $140 CAD application fee.
Wait for Review
Timelines for decisions vary by program, but we will be in touch if we have questions about your application or need more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Have questions? We’re here to help! Click here to get in touch.