The LL.M. in Law and Society

The LL.M. in Law and Society is a highly rewarding, research-oriented, interdisciplinary program. This page summarizes its chief characteristics, with links to more detailed information on each subject.

You should refer to the UVic Academic Calendar, which contains the rules applicable to a graduate student’s candidature. The primary responsibility for complying with the requirements lies with you, the student. Once you are admitted, you should familiarize yourself with those rules and ensure that your approved program will satisfy them. Your success in the program depends, above all, on your own efforts.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Assistant. The Graduate Assistant can answer most administrative questions or may forward you to the Graduate Program Director for issues that combine administrative and academic dimensions or to your supervisors for academic questions related to your thesis.

Program Length

The LL.M. requires a minimum of 12 months (three terms) of enrollment. Most students do not complete within one year, but take 15 months to two years. Five years is the maximum period.

Note that only a one-term leave of absence is possible, after the completion of all coursework.

Full-Time & Residency Requirements

The first 12 months (three terms) of the LL.M. program must be completed full-time, on-campus in Victoria. The program seeks to build a cohesive community and support the development of students’ theses. These objectives require full-time attendance.

Arrival

You must arrive for the first week of classes (which begins just after Labour Day: the first Monday in September). During that week you will meet with your Law supervisor and then with the Graduate Program Director to discuss your program, and attend the first sessions of your fall term courses. Please contact the Graduate Assistant to set a time to meet with the Graduate Program Director.

Supervisors

Every LL.M. student has two supervisors, normally one from Law and one from another discipline.

The Law supervisor normally plays the principal role with respect to issues of form and administration. Both supervisors have input into the development of your thesis.

The Law supervisor is usually chosen during the application process and in any case by the end of September. The non-Law supervisor is chosen in consultation with the Law supervisor. It is the student's responsibility to contact potential non-Law supervisors. You can change a supervisor if there is good reason and another appropriate person is available.

You should establish and maintain regular contact with both supervisors.

An interim supervisor may be appointed if one of your supervisors will be absent for a term or more. A supervisor can also be replaced if you run into serious difficulties. Please note, however, that constructive criticism is the heart of a supervisor’s role. Please see the Responsibilities in the Supervisory Relationship policy.

Helpful tips for your graduate studies program.

Thesis Option Course Requirements

The course requirements for the thesis option consist of:

• LAW501: Graduate Seminar in Law and Society (1.5 units)
• LAW502: Graduate Seminar in Applied Legal Methodology (1.5 units)
• One non-Law graduate-level seminar (1.5 units)
  (This is generally chosen in consultation with your non-Law supervisor. Indeed the non-Law supervisor is often the instructor, with this course serving to establish your relationship with that supervisor.)

• One additional course (1.5 units)
  (This may be an upper-year Law undergraduate course, a Law graduate course, or a graduate-level course in another discipline.)
  
  

Your courses should be discussed with your Law supervisor and then approved by the Graduate Program Director. Please note that LAW501 and LAW502 are required by all Law graduate students. You are not permitted to register for what is, in substance, a course you have already taken for undergraduate credit, either here or at another university.

You should seek to complete all courses by the end of your second term. After your first two terms, you are responsible for completing your ongoing registration.

Many Law courses are evaluated by final examinations. Graduate students who enrol in 300-level Law courses should work out a form of evaluation with the instructor of their course. A final examination cannot be worth more than 60% of your final mark. Moreover, if a research paper is submitted as part of the evaluation and it is worth more than 60% of your final mark, you must be permitted to submit a draft and then a final version of the paper. Since graduate students do not have access to a supplemental examination process, you are advised to seek a form of assessment that minimizes assessment by examination. Literature reviews, research papers, presentations, and book and article reviews are alternative forms of assessment. If you have any questions regarding appropriate forms of assessment please contact the Director.

The Graduate Assistant will prepare your CAPP (Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning) document. This is the official record of your program and outlines your degree requirements. It must be reviewed and signed by you and the Graduate Program Director within the first two terms of your program (preferably by the end of October). Subsequent changes can be made with the approval of the Director.

Please review and become familiar with marking standards at the graduate level. You must avoid any form of academic dishonesty.

Thesis (LAW599)

The LL.M. thesis is generally 80-120 pages long (excluding abstract, notes, bibliography, and any appendices). It is prepared with the advice and direction of your supervisors. It constitutes the principle focus of the master’s program.

Review the LL.M. Thesis Milestones.

Non-Thesis Course Requirements

There is also a non-thesis option for the LL.M. Please note that, in the admission process, preference is given for applications for the thesis rather than the non-thesis LL.M.

The non-thesis option consists of the following requirements:

• The course requirements for the thesis option (see above).
• Two additional courses (3.0 units), which may be upper-year Law undergraduate courses, Law graduate courses, or graduate-level courses in another discipline.
• LAW598: Major Research Paper (6.0 units)
  

In other respects the same rules for courses apply to the non-thesis and thesis options (see above). You must scrupulously avoid any form of academic dishonesty.

Major Research Paper (LAW598)

The Major Research Paper is less extensive than a thesis (generally 50-70 pages, excluding abstract, notes, bibliography, and any appendices) and requires less in terms of original analysis. It still must be your own work, but that work may simply review and synthesize existing literature (with due citation).

It is prepared with the advice and direction of your supervisors and constitutes the principle focus of the non-thesis master’s program.

Review the LL.M. Major Research Paper Milestones.

Annual Progress Review

If you remain in the program for one year you will be subject to a progress review. These reviews are designed to take stock of your progress and identify, confidentially if necessary, any problems that may be impeding your progress.

2011 Annual Progress Report

Career Services

Graduate students can receive career support from the University's central Career Services office. They provide support to students and alumni at all stages of their career development.

Graduation

Graduation occurs at convocation ceremonies held in November and June. We hope that you will be able to attend but degrees can be granted without attendance.

There is sometimes a delay between your completion of the requirements and the next convocation ceremony. In those circumstances, we can issue letters attesting to your completion of the requirements.

Inclusiveness and Diversity

The University of Victoria is committed to promoting, providing, and protecting a positive and supportive and safe learning and working environment for all its members.