February 28, 2025
Osgoode Hall Law School is one of Canada’s leading law schools. As the lifelong learning arm of Osgoode Hall Law School, Osgoode Professional Development offers a uniquely broad and flexible range of graduate-level programs to professionals. One of our commitments is to integrate internationally trained lawyers and law graduates in the Canadian legal profession.
As a pioneer in legal education, the Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law has helped over 1,000 internationally trained lawyers since 2013 to become licensed to practice law in Canada. The part-time study option offers students the flexibility to attend courses in-person and/or online. This means you can customize your degree to include a mix of online and in-person courses, all online courses, or all in-person courses, depending on your preferences and schedule.
The Part-Time Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law is an ideal program if you live outside Ontario because part-time students have access to online courses. Osgoode’s Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law is the only graduate degree program with NCA-accredited courses offered through distance learning.
What can you expect from the structure of the online courses?
Our online courses are instructor-led and require live attendance via a video conferencing platform. You will be able to engage in real-time discussions with instructors and classmates, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback. Each course will have multiple methods of evaluation from participation, individual and group presentations, research papers, and a final invigilated exam.
If you have never taken an online course before you might be wondering how the experience of studying online differs from taking classes in person. Reyaine Mendoza–Clavano joined the Part-Time Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law in January 2024, and has been completing her studies from her home in Saskatchewan.
“I do not see the difference between online and in-person classes. Online classes are as effective as in-person classes—you get the same experience as if you are in the class physically. The instructors are very engaged and responsive, and you can ask questions during class and after class.”
Courses are taught by Professors and senior legal professionals, all of whom have experience in online teaching. Lais Carvalho Leite Santos, who participates in the program from British Columbia, has particularly enjoyed the Canadian Professional Responsibility course taught by Emmanuel Tucsa.
“He is just amazing. I absolutely love his teaching style, the organized slides and pre-recording lectures, and the group exercises done in class. He knows how to engage with his students and set them up for success. He checks all the boxes.”
Some of our online courses incorporate a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, where you will be presented with a problem and encouraged to work together with your classmates to determine the solution using the course materials. Throughout the course, you will have dedicated class hours outside of lectures to work on group assignments and will receive continued support and guidance from the instructor. Aduragbemi Olabode greatly values her instructors’ feedback, which has enhanced her overall online learning experience from her home in Saskatchewan.
“The instructors have been helpful in building my confidence. They will give a mix of written and verbal feedback to clear any doubts and questions. For group assignments, they will give written feedback on whether you understand the legal principle and whether you were able to interpret the learning outcomes of the designed module. You will also receive individual feedback in a written format. In one of my courses, the group feedback is going to be oral feedback and it will be an hour session with the instructor.”
What student support and services can you access?
We are committed to supporting you in your graduate study, licensing journey, and kickstarting your career in Canada. You will have access to Canada’s largest law library including an ever-growing online and digital catalogue; Student Success and Wellness Counsellor; Academic and Career Advisors; and a range of academic and career workshops.
We offer academic and career workshops both in the daytime and evening hours. Reyaine Mendoza–Clavano has not missed out on the academic and career workshops despite completing the LLM program from Saskatchewan.
“Because of the commitments I have outside of the program, I often cannot attend the daytime live workshops. However, since they’re recorded, I’m able to watch them when I have the time, usually on the weekends.”
You can also book one-on-one virtual advising appointments at a time that works for you. Our Librarians can help you with research-related inquires, you can meet our Student Success and Wellness Counsellor if you are experiencing difficulties, and our Academic and Career Advisors can provide personalized academic and career guidance, résumé and cover letter reviews, and interview coaching.
How can you create professional connections while in the program?
Completing the program through distance learning does not mean missing out on opportunities to grow your personal and professional networks. We host both in-person and online networking events all year round, and our live interactive online courses are designed to help you foster meaningful connections with your instructors and classmates. Reyaine Mendoza–Clavano from Saskatchewan has not found it difficult to stay connected with her classmates.
“I have been able to network with the classmates I met in my courses. For example, the classmates I met in Foundations of Canadian Law course created a WhatsApp group to stay connected during the course, and we keep in touch to this day. One classmate from Toronto shared in the group chat that they had lost their job, and since I knew a firm in Toronto that was hiring, and I was able to refer them for the position.”
Do you have questions or would like to know if you are the right fit for the program?
Complete our Contact Us form with your questions and attach your CV/résumé, and our Recruitment Coordinators will be happy to assist you further.
Wondering if the Professional LLM is right for you? Get information on course requirements, application dates, tuition and more!