Master of Laws - Concentration in Legislative Studies (LL.M.) (Major Research Paper or Project) at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-09-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) with a Concentration in Legislative Studies at the University of Ottawa is designed to reflect Canada’s bilingual and trijuridical legal system, encompassing civil law, common law, and aboriginal law. This program is ideal for law graduates from various legal backgrounds and countries, offering courses in both English and French. Students can engage in a rich academic environment while exploring Canada's diverse legal traditions. The program emphasizes research and critical thinking, allowing students to delve into legislative studies through a major research paper or project.

Program structure

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program with a Concentration in Legislative Studies is structured to be completed within a two-year timeframe for full-time students, while part-time students may take up to four years (12 terms) to fulfill their requirements. The program offers both a thesis option and a research paper option, allowing students to choose their preferred path based on their academic and professional goals. Key features of the program include:

Full-time or part-time enrollment options
Courses offered in English, French, or a combination of both
Opportunity to participate in a collaborative program in Women's Studies
Access to international reciprocity agreements for studying abroad

Students are required to complete a series of compulsory and optional courses, culminating in a major research paper that is between 50 to 60 pages in length. The program is governed by the general regulations for graduate studies at the University of Ottawa.

Featured Experiences

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program with a Concentration in Legislative Studies offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Participation in a collaborative program in Women's Studies, allowing for interdisciplinary exploration.
Opportunities for internships and practical experiences in legislative drafting and policy implementation.
Access to a vibrant research community, with events and conferences focused on contemporary legal issues.
Engagement with faculty members who are actively involved in research and community outreach.
Possibility of studying abroad through international reciprocity agreements with partner universities.

Career Options

Graduates of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) with a Concentration in Legislative Studies can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Legislative Advisor: Provide expert advice on legislative processes and policy development to government officials and organizations.
Policy Analyst: Analyze and evaluate public policies, making recommendations for improvements based on research and data.
Legal Researcher: Conduct in-depth legal research to support legislative initiatives, legal arguments, and policy proposals.
Compliance Officer: Ensure that organizations adhere to legal standards and regulations, particularly in legislative matters.
Advocacy Specialist: Work with non-profit organizations or advocacy groups to promote legislative changes and social justice initiatives.

These roles leverage the skills and knowledge gained through the LL.M. program, preparing graduates to make significant contributions in the legal and legislative fields.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2025-09-05

Program overview

Academic Requirements

Minimum Requirements

B in a bachelor's degree in Law

Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.

Recommendation letter(s):

2
It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.

Transcript(s):

You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation.

Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply.

Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.

Required document(s):	Letter of Intent Resume Description of your research project (500 words) Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Required document(s):

Letter of Intent
Resume
Description of your research project (500 words)

Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

TOEFL 600 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 7.0 (Paper-based)
TOEFL 100 - Individual 24 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 7.0 (Internet-based)

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!