OsgoodePD’s Professional LLM in General Law is a graduate program designed specifically for working professionals. Each of our distinct specializations focuses on interdisciplinary learning and provides you with a unique mix of academic, applied, and theoretical perspectives. You will learn through interactive discussions and explore practical issues related to your specialization. You’ll have access to a wide range of elective options to broaden your legal knowledge or explore new areas related to your professional interests.
The Professional LLM in General Law provides an option for lawyers to combine two to three specializations to customize their learning for their own personal and professional goals.
Who is the Specialization for?
Lawyers or law graduates with legal work experience who have knowledge and expertise in two or more areas of specialization.
Alumni Spotlight
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.
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.
Join an information session to learn more!
Select the option that best describes you:
Course Requirements
The Professional LLM in General Law requires completion of 36 credits including a research requirement. The program is designed to be completed in two years (six active terms). General students must declare two or three specializations from which they will take courses.
| Area | Fall 2024 | Winter 2025 | Fall 2025 | Course Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Business Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Canadian Common Law* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Constitutional Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Construction Law | ✓ | CNLW 6400 in Fall 2024 | ||
| Dispute Resolution | ✓ | x | ✓ | ALDR 6300 (in your first Fall Term) and ALDR 6301 (in your first Winter term) |
| Energy and Infrastructure law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Financial Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Health Law | x | x | ✓ | LAWH 6861 and LAWH 6860 in Fall 2024 |
| International Business Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | BLIS 6501 |
| Intellectual Property Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Labour and Employment Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Privacy and Cybersecurity Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Securities Law | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Taxation Law | ✓ | x | ✓ | TXLW 6100 (in your first Fall term) |
*Only those with a law degree from outside Canada who are working toward accreditation can select Canadian Common Law.
What You Can Expect
The program is designed to be completed in two years (six active terms) by completing 6 credits (one or two courses) per term.
Because course offerings within your chosen areas of specialization will vary from term to term, General students will often take terms away from the program if no courses suit their particular interests or goals.
In your first term of the program, you may be assigned a course as a condition of your admission. Admission condition courses count towards your degree requirements. Students with the following profiles usually have required introductory courses:
- Internationally-trained lawyers: GNRL 6209 – Canadian Graduate Legal Research & Writing (Online) (3 Credits)
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) on a topic related to one of your designated specializations
- An Independent Significant Research Paper (30 pages, 3 Credits) on a topic related to one of your designated specializations
- A Significant Research Paper (30 pages) completed as the means of assessment for one of the courses within the specialization.
Course Planning
Course plans are typically provided for the next two calendar years. Specific course schedules are subject to change without notice until the course enrollment process for an upcoming term begins. Please check course schedules immediately before making your enrollment request to ensure you have the most current schedule information.
This tool is for planning purposes only. Selecting courses using this tool does not enroll you in the course or reserve a space in the course for you.
Application Dates
The General option accepts new students twice each calendar year, in the Fall term and the Winter term.
Fall 2024
Application Deadlines:
International Applicants are Encouraged to Apply by: January 15, 2024
Final Deadline: May 1, 2024
Winter 2025
Application Deadlines:
International Applicants are Encouraged to Apply by: April 15, 2024
Final Deadline: September 15, 2024
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
$3,800.79per term for 6 terms
$22,804.74total
$8,008.59per term for 6 terms
$48,051.54total
Students are also subject to supplementary fees including health benefits. Find out more about supplementary fees here.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Professional LLM specializations is competitive. At OsgoodePD, we can help you navigate the process. The Admissions Committee reviews each applicant’s completed file and takes into consideration criteria such as academic background, professional work experience, and whether the program fits your stated goals. The information below represents the minimum requirements for admission consideration to our graduate degree programs – meeting these criteria 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 $130 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
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