Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three-year research degree program that attracts aspiring legal academics who have already completed a postgraduate degree in law. By the end of their degree program, PhD students must articulate and defend a thesis which embodies the results of original investigations and analyses, and satisfies the standards of reputable peer-reviewed publications.
Our PhD graduates have used their degrees to pursue successful academic careers in university law faculties in Canada and around the world.
In the Faculty of Law’s PhD program, burgeoning legal scholars broaden their academic horizons and, at the same time, have the opportunity to dig deep into the most pressing and intriguing topics in law. Graduates of this program have gone on to become high-level judges and professors at the forefront of their fields, ready to make impactful contributions to legal scholarship and train the next generation of lawyers.
“My time at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥'s PhD program at the Faculty of Law was invaluable to my development as a legal academic. The program was rigorous, the supervision I received was top notch, and the academic environment was intellectually stimulating. The Faculty also provided me with strong financial support and plenty of mentorship opportunities that aided me in securing work on the legal academic market.”
Residency Requirements
PhD students are required to complete at least one academic year in full-time residence at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. If the student holds an LLM degree from the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, a request made be made for a waiver of residency, upon the recommendation of the supervisory committee and the approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies.
The time required to complete the PhD program will vary according to the student's previous education, experience and the nature of the thesis project. Students must complete the program requirements within six years.
Tuition + Fees
Tuition and fees for graduate students at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ are based on the type of program and whether you are registered full-time or part-time.
Curriculum
Students registered within the LLM program must complete graduate-level courses, a thesis, as well as ethics and professional development training to complete degree requirements.
Students enrolled in the PhD program must successfully complete a thesis and graduate-level courses (9 credits) including LAW 696: Graduate Seminar (3 credits) and two additional graduate-level courses (6 credits)
Course selected is determined in consultation with the student's academic supervisor and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies.
Students may enrol in graduate-level courses offered by other academic departments at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ with the written approval of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, after consideration of the student's experience, needs and course availability.
Candidates are required to produce approximately 250-350 pages or 62,500-87,500 words, inclusive of footnotes or endnotes. The thesis topic must be approved by the student's academic supervisor and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies.
PhD students must pass a candidacy exam within three years of commencing their program of study. The is an oral examination, which is designed to ensure that doctoral students possess adequate knowledge of scholarship relevant to their thesis project and the ability to complete original research in their field of study.
Starting in September 2022, new PhD students are required to complete the FGSR Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement for doctoral students. It comprises eight hours of zero-credit, online courses: the six-hour INT D 710: Ethics and Academic Citizenship course and the two-hour INT D 720: Advanced Ethics and Academic Citizenship course. PhD students who completed their LLM at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and who have already successfully completed INT D 710 only have to complete INT D 720.
The course registration is in Beartracks. Once registered, students are added to eClass where they will complete the course material in a self-paced format. The course(s) must be completed during the first semester of the student's program. Successful completion of the course(s) will appear on the student's official transcript record.
Find further information on the mandatory Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement.
The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies requires students to complete eight hours of professional development (PD) activities that are inspired by a career plan document completed by the student called the Individual Development Plan (IDP). The IDP maps the student's career goals and competencies. The PD activities must: contribute to the acquisition of skills, knowledge or mindset; support the career goals or competencies identified in the IDP; comprise formal training or active learning with an assessment component; and fall outside or research methods training or the thesis.
For full details, see the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies PD web page.
Full-time PhD students must complete their IDP and have it reviewed by their supervisor within 18 months of the start of their program. The eight hours of PD activities must be approved by their supervisor and completed within the first three years of their program.
PhD Theses, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Collection
- Sarah Hamill:
- Li Du:
- Hadley Friedland:
Admissions
Each year, the Graduate Studies Committee admits a select number of students to the doctoral program. Students are selected on the basis of their demonstrated ability to complete a self-directed research project commensurate with the standards of doctoral scholarship and the availability of a suitable faculty supervisor for their proposed research project.
All completed applications will be reviewed by the Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Committee and then forwarded to potential supervisors. (While applicants are encouraged to research potential supervisors, it is not advisable to contact them prior to applying for admission.)
Requirements
PhD applicants must hold an LLM or equivalent degree from the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ or an institution recognized by the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. On an exceptional basis, students enrolled within the faculty's LLM program can seek permission from their supervisor and the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee to enrol in the PhD degree program.
The minimum grade point average for the graduate program is a 3.0 on the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥'s 4-point scale. However, the competitive GPA for the PhD program usually satisfies or exceeds 3.7 on the international grade equivalent.
Applicants must fulfil one of the following :
- TOEFL: minimum 100, 25 minimum on each skill area (internet) or 600 (paper-based)
- IELTS: minimum overall 7.0, minimum 6.0 on each band
- PTE: minimum overall score of 68
Documentation
Copies of all academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions in the official language of instruction, accompanied with a translation (if applicable).
Official hard copies of transcripts, which are to be sealed, stamped and sent from your previous institution, will eventually be required. Further instruction will be given to successful applicants.
Chronological resumé or curriculum vitae describing your academic history, scholarly achievements, and employment history.
Three reference forms and letters of recommendation completed and uploaded by referees directly to the online portal.
Five-to-ten page description of the proposed research project, outlining the relevant legal issues, preliminary arguments, and the proposed research methodology. The proposal should include footnotes and a bibliography highlighting relevant academic sources.
Please explain in one to two pages your motivations for applying for a law graduate program at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. This may include:
- your reasons for wanting to undertake graduate studies in law in general and the PhD program in particular;
- the reasons why you want to undertake graduate studies at our Faculty of Law at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥;
- your specific area(s) of academic interest;
- your future career plans; and
- any other information that the Graduate Studies Committee might find relevant.
International students require appropriate visa approvals for admission and study in Canada.
A PhD does not entitle the holder to practise law in Canada. For information about the accreditation of your foreign law degree, contact the .