Academic Calendar

Laws, LL.M.

Degree Requirements

Thesis Route

Students must complete two courses, one of which must be in the Faculty of Law, as well as the Graduate Legal Research and Theory seminar LAW 7112. A minimum grade of B must be obtained in each course.

In addition to course work, the student must complete a thesis of 90 to 120 pages. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor with expertise in the chosen area of study who will direct thesis research and design and assist the student in course selection. Early and regular contact with the advisor is recommended.

For complete program requirements, consult the program's supplementary regulations.

Expected Time to Graduate: 1 - 2 years

Progression Chart

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
LAW 7112 Graduate Legal Research and Theory 3
Select 4-6 credit hours of additional courses 1 4-6
 Hours7-9
Year 2
GRAD 7000 Master's Thesis 2 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours7-9
1

Students must complete two additional courses relevant to their research area. One of these courses may be taken outside the Faculty of Law. Course selection must be approved by the student’s supervisor.

2

Thesis must be complete by July 1 to enable timely review before the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ deadline at the end of August.

Course-based Route

Students must successfully complete 24 credit hours consisting of two required courses (6 credit hours) and 18 credit hours of electives.

Expected Time to Graduate: 1 - 2 years

Progression Chart

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
LAW 7002 Capstone seminar 3
LAW 7112 Graduate Legal Research and Theory 3
Select 6 credit hours of Law courses 1,2 6
 Hours12
Year 2
Select 6 credit hours of Law courses 1,2 6
Select 6 credit hours of elective courses 1 6
 Hours12
 Total Hours24
1

Electives must be approved by the student’s Advisor and the Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies).

2

Electives in the Faculty of Law (eg LAW 7120, 7130, 7140, etc) may be taken more than once only if the subtitle is different.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

If you have questions about registration, please email lawgrad@umanitoba.ca.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

  • GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
  • GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

  • maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Note: Law requires a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+.

Courses

LAW 7002  Capstone seminar  3 cr  
The Capstone Seminar provides a venue for students to pursue individual research projects in an area of Law that is of personal and/or professional interest to them. Students are expected take the Capstone Seminar in the final semester of their studies. Permission of Associate Dean, Research & Graduate Studies.
LAW 7112  Graduate Legal Research and Theory  3 cr  
This course introduces students to select theoretical and methodological approaches to the law. In doing so, the course moves students beyond research interests to selection of appropriate theories and methodologies that inform modern legal scholarship and the range of research methods that can be applied to legal questions. Through readings, class discussions, guest presentations, and writing assignments, students will become familiar with select theoretical and methodological approaches to the law. Through exposure to and collaborative analysis of a wide range of scholarship, students will learn about which kinds of research methods are well-suited to answering which kind of research questions, the value and limitations of different perspectives on the law. May not be held with the former LAW 7110.
Mutually Exclusive: LAW 7110
LAW 7120  Research Paper in Law  3 cr  
Independent reading and/or research course on selected topic in law undertaken and arranged in consultation with the prospective instructor, upon approval of the Associate Dean (Research & Graduate Studies). Course content may vary. Students may earn multiple credits for this course only when the topic subtitle is different.
LAW 7130  Topics in Law  3 cr  
Critical study, at an advanced level, of a significant major topic or set of topics in law. This course is designed to present topics in law to enrich a student’s knowledge and understanding of law and/or legal research. Students may earn multiple credits for this course when the topic subtitle is different.
LAW 7140  Topics in Clinical Legal Practice  3 cr  
An elective course for LLM students, in this one-semester clinical course, students will undertake critical and practical study, at an advanced level, of a significant major topic or set of topics in clinical legal practice. Students may earn multiple credits for this course only when the course subtitle is different. Must obtain consent of the Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies).