Law
The U of C LLB program will prepare you for a variety of roles within the legal system. It is designed to lay the groundwork for the development of competent, talented, creative and sensitive professionals. We place an emphasis on the human element involved in any legal career, including considerations of professional responsibility, ethics, and working in a diverse society.
We believe experiential learning is an important part of a sound legal education, and thus offer many opportunities for such learning throughout the program. These include classroom exercises, the mooting and debating program, use of our micro-computer facility and more. You may choose to work with clients at our Legal Centre for Business and Technology for entrepreneurs, or volunteer at our Student Legal Assistance clinic.
Our academic strengths are complemented by an exceptional state-of-the art learning environment. Small class sizes make it possible for learning to occur in a more intimate setting. You will have access to a computer lab and all student spaces support wireless technology. In addition, our teaching staff is comprised of both faculty members and practising lawyers. The close interaction of faculty members with practising legal professionals enriches the learning process.
The Faculty of Law also offers combined degree programs with the Haskayne School of Business, the LLB/MBA degree, and the Faculty of Environmental Design, the LLB/MEDes degree. In order to obtain either combined degree, you must be admitted to each Faculty through the ordinary admissions process of each respective Faculty. Successful applicants can then apply to the LLB/MBA or LLB/MEDes Combined Degree Committee, who make decisions on who will be admitted into the combined degree programs.
Why take an LLB program?
Our LLB students gain a strong grounding in the substantive areas of law. Our program is also designed to develop students’ skills in research, legal problem solving and planning, legal communication, advocacy, interviewing, counseling and negotiation.
What will I study in my first year?
During the first year of Law, you will take the following full-year courses: Law 400 Constitutional Law, Law 402 Contracts Law, Law 404 Property, Law 405 Fundamental Legal Skills, Law 406 Torts, and Law 410 Crime: Law and Procedure. You will also take the block week course Law 411 Dispute Resolution I prior to the start of the winter term, as well as the following half-year courses: Law 401 Legal Perspectives, and Law 403 Legislation, Administration, and Policy. Upon completion of the first year of the LL.B. program, students will have a solid introduction to legal analysis and the integration of doctrine, skills and policy.
What will I study in later years?
The second and third years of the LL.B. program are designed to allow students to continue to increase both their substantive knowledge of the law and to refine their legal skills. Both the second and third years consist of compulsory courses and a series of optional courses. You will be required to take courses in civil procedure, evidence, and the administrative process, as well as a block week course prior to the winter term in second year. The compulsory courses for third year students cover the areas of advanced legal research, trial evidence and procedure, and trial advocacy. In both the second and third year, there is considerable opportunity for specialization and the ability to take clinical courses that provide opportunity to develop skills in a practical setting while allowing for academic reflection on practice issues.
What can I do with this degree?
The majority of Law graduates chose this area of study as a means of entering the legal profession to build a career as a barrister or a solicitor. A Law degree is highly valuable for work in law-related careers such as a Policy Officer in one of the many government departments such as Foreign Affairs and Trade. Other areas of employment in the public sector where law degrees can prove valuable are the Police, Probation, Corrections, Customs and Immigration services. Law graduates also have skills which are highly valued in the private sector in areas such as finance, accountancy and general commerce. Law graduates can also be found working in Journalism, Health and Safety roles, in Teaching, Lecturing and Research careers.
For a more comprehensive list of careers, visit the Law Career Profile page on the Career Services website.
In addition to moving on to a career in law or a law-related area, you can also pursue further post-secondary training in Law at the University of Calgary. Currently we offer a thesis-based LLM, course-based LLM, and a special project Ph.D. program.
Where can I get more information?
Find out more about the U of C’s LLB and joint LLB/MBA or LLB/MEDes programs by visiting the Faculty of Law website at www.law.ucalgary.ca. More detailed information can also be obtained from the LL.B Program Guide or the University of Calgary Calendar.
For more information, contact the Faculty of Law Student Affairs and Admissions Office by calling (403) 210-8718, or e-mailing law@ucalgary.ca.