A Law School Experience Designed to Fit Your Career
Osgoode’s Part-Time Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law is designed for professionals who want a structured introduction to Canadian law, whether you are building legal knowledge to support your work or preparing for further legal study. It is particularly well suited for non-legal professionals seeking a “mini law school” experience, as well as internationally trained lawyers from civil law backgrounds who want to develop a stronger foundation in common law.
The program provides a comprehensive overview of the Canadian legal system, covering core areas of public and private law alongside the historical and institutional context that shapes them. You will build practical skills in legal research and writing, while developing a deeper understanding of how Canadian law is structured and applied. Elective courses allow you to explore areas aligned with your interests or professional goals.
Who should apply
Internationally Trained Lawyers & Law Graduates: Particularly those from civil law jurisdictions, seeking a stronger foundation in Canadian common law before pursuing further legal study or professional goals in Canada.
Professionals: Working in senior leadership, policy, regulatory, governance, compliance, or advisory roles who wish to develop a foundational understanding of Canadian law to support their professional responsibilities.
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
Catherine Norris
Catherine Norris is an Independent External Decision Maker with Public Safety Canada, a role to which she was appointed in May 2021. Prior to this appointment, Catherine was a senior manager with the Ministry of Children’s Services, where she provided leadership to ensure Indigenous perspectives, interests, concerns and issues were considered in the development of provincial programs, policies and standards. Her work included maintaining government-to-government relationships with First Nations and Métis organizations.
Over her 21 years with the provincial government, Catherine held various management roles and worked in quality assurance, issues management and front-line child intervention. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in criminal justice and sociology, from the University of Winnipeg. She has also served as a volunteer with the Edmonton Youth Justice Committee.
Michelle De Agostini
Michelle De Agostini is a library professional, researcher, and accessibility advocate whose work spans criminal justice, constitutional law, trauma-informed practice, and human‑centred public service. Her research focuses on prison law, human rights, and the constitutional dimensions of punishment, with particular attention to abolitionist, decolonial, and disability‑justice frameworks.
Information Session
Information Session for Non-Legal Professionals
Learn more about the how the program works and the benefits for non-legal professionals.
Information Session for Internationally Trained Lawyers
Learn more about the options available to internationally trained lawyers.
Additional Sessions for Internationally-Trained Lawyers
Drop in Advising Sessions
Sign up to join a virtual office hours session!
Attendees will have a ten minute 1:1 advising session with one of our Advisors. There are no scheduled appointment times for drop-in hours, attendees will be seen on a first come, first served basis. You should expect to wait in a queue (rather than being seen immediately), so make sure to have a comfortable chair and bring something to do while you wait (just like a real waiting room!) To attend this session, you will need a device that is compatible with Zoom, with a microphone/speakers and camera.
Program Requirements
The Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law (Part-Time) is designed to be completed over 16 months (four terms) on a part-time basis. Students complete four required courses in their first three terms, followed by an elective course, drawn from Professional LLM course offerings in their fourth term.
Required Courses:
Elective Courses:
Elective course offerings are drawn from the Professional LLM. Students work with an advisor to select elective course(s) that are relevant to their individual goals and professional experience. Internationally trained lawyers may opt to use their elective space to complete course(s) that meet subject requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).
What to Expect
After accepting your offer of admission, you’ll receive information about course schedules. All required courses have an online format, and some have the option for in-person attendance. Online courses are generally offered in the evening and take place via live video conference. A part-time student could choose to complete their entire degree via online courses.
Program Start and Application Deadlines
The diploma accepts new students once each calendar year, in the Fall term.
Fall 2027
Applications Not Currently Open
Applications will open on October 01, 2026
Tuition and Fees
Part-time students pay in four installments over four terms.
Please note that the tuition/fees displayed here are subject to change, and may vary depending on your entry term.
Domestic (Ontario)
$2,524.50per term for 4 terms
$10,098.00total
Domestic (Out of Province)
$2,650.72per term for 4 terms
$10,602.88total
International
$5,159.18per term for 4 terms
$20,636.72total
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.
Applicants without a law degree must have an honours bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall “B” (75%) average or (or equivalent) and at least two years of relevant professional experience involving exposure to legal or regulatory issues
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.