Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Law requires students to complete:

a) course.

b) course.

c) course.

d) Additional coursework as may be required by the supervisor in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Students may be required to carry out advanced coursework in the area of their thesis, or in a cognate area of law, or in a discipline other than law which is relevant to their thesis topic.

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. On a case-by-case basis, advanced credit toward an LLM or PhD program may be given for courses completed in a graduate program within the Faculty of Law or another recognized institution. Courses for which advanced credit is being sought must not have been used for any previously completed degree/diploma/certificate credential.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Faculty of Law will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Faculty.

Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will not affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit will be given for additional coursework required by the supervisor in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Such coursework may include upper-level undergraduate courses as appropriate.

Time Limit

All requirements for the PhD must be completed within six years of initial registration. It is expected that full-time students will complete the program in four years.

Supervisory Assignments

Prospective students are required to identify possible supervisors as part of the application process. Supervisors will be determined on the basis of consultations among the student, the potential supervisor(s) and the Graduate Program Director. An interim supervisor will be assigned during the admissions process, and the supervisor and supervisory committee will be established within twelve months of the student entering the program.

Required Examinations

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for candidacy and thesis examinations, the program requires:

Candidacy

Advancing to candidacy requires the successful completion of a) all coursework; b) an original thesis proposal; and c) a field of study examination with written and oral components.

Thesis Examination

Thesis examinations are open.

Scheduling of the Examination

Before an examination can be scheduled, all members of the supervisory committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the material related to the thesis, or the draft thesis document, and have provided written consent that the examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Financial assistance will be available to qualified students in accordance with the Faculty of Law Graduate Student Funding Policy. See the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar, the Graduate Awards Database, and the Faculty of Law website.