Why study this program?
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a highly regarded credential in the field of law. Our three-year program is based on a strong core curriculum that provides students with a solid foundation in legal fundamentals while also opening doors to more specialized areas of study.
Why study at the University of Alberta?
The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law is highly regarded among leading Canadian law firms, with a superb track record for career success among graduates. Our century-long tradition of excellence has produced three Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, including the Chief Justice, along with a host of provincial and federal politicians, legal visionaries, entrepreneurs, and public intellectuals.
- Business Law
- Civil and Criminal Law
- Constitutional Law
- Corporate Law
- Environmental Law
- Government Law
- Human Rights
- Indigenous Law
- International Law
- Military
- Policing
- Professor
- Researcher
Alexandra is a Law student from Ottawa with an undergraduate degree in Business. She volunteers with Student Legal Services and is also a fundraiser and advocate for mental health issues.
Non-Direct Entry
This program does not allow admission directly from high school. See requirements below for more details.
Important Information about admission to the Faculty of Law
There is no direct entry from high school into the Juris Doctor program (JD). Exceptional students may be admitted to the program after completing two years of university study with a minimum GPA of 3.7 and 90th percentile Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. All other students must have completed at least the first three years of a degree before being admitted to the JD. There are no specific university courses that must be taken for admission to the JD, and no specific degree that is recommended. Admission is competitive based on a student's overall academic record and LSAT score. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is compulsory for all applicants.
Preprofessional Study Time: Completion of at least the first three years of a transferable degree. Students with outstanding academic ability may be considered after 2 years.
Additional Requirements:
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT) must be written no later than January of the year in which admission is sought. LSAT scores are valid for a five-year period and the test may not be written more than three times in any two-year period.
- Personal statements
- 2 letters of reference are required for Aboriginal Applicants.
Additional Information: To be considered after 2 years as an applicant with outstanding ability, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 or equivalent over your 2 years of study and have an LSAT score which places you in the 90th percentile.
Admission Selection: Competitive. Your application will be ranked according to your academic performance using a weighted performance indicator. This indicator is based on your GPA in the most recent 60 units of course weight (completed by February 1 in the year in which admission is sought) and your LSAT score.
Because the U of A wants you to succeed, our admissions policy ensures that all students, regardless of citizenship, have the language skills they need to understand, participate and learn in our classes. The primary language of instruction in our classes, with the exception of those at the Faculté Saint-Jean, is English. For more information on the English Language Proficiency policy refer to the U of A Calendar. Information on writing ELP examinations is also available.
At the U of A, we are committed to encouraging Indigenous Students in their work towards a degree. Indigenous students have been under-represented in higher education in Canada, thus our policy is aimed at increasing opportunity, with the goal of our Aboriginal student population being representative of the public we serve. For more information on Admission of Indigenous Students refer to the U of A Calendar.
Deadline
For a complete listing of application and document deadlines refer to the University Calendar.
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The Office of the Registrar administers over $52 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for undergraduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
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