MA Program
Table of Contents
About
Students interested in pursuing the MA in Legal Studies will now be able to choose from a thesis, research essay and coursework-only option. Faculty in the Department of Law and Legal Studies come from a wide variety of backgrounds – law, history, sociology, anthropology, communications and political science – offering students access to a diverse, interdisciplinary pool of resources.
The MA Legal Studies is made up of seminar-style courses offered in the Department and in other disciplines, combined with one of two large research projects: either a Master’s Research Essay (MRE) or a Master’s thesis. Students can also pursue a coursework only option.
All students are required to take LAWS 5000 and LAWS 5001. These courses provide students with a common theoretical and interdisciplinary framework for the program. For more details on program requirements, please refer to the calendar here.
For a Master’s Thesis, the candidate will complete:
- 3.0 credits of course work, and
- 2.0 credit thesis and oral examination
For a Master’s Research Essay (MRE), the candidate will complete:
- 4.0 credits of course work, and
- 1.0 credit research essay
For a Coursework-Only option, the candidate will complete:
- 5.0 credits of course work
All students must obtain satisfactory grades in their course work and make satisfactory progress in their research.
Students have until July 15 to be considered for admission and funding if space and funds are still available. Earlier applications are strongly encouraged. For more information, please email: lawgrad@cunet.carleton.ca.
Collaborative Specializations
M.A. Legal Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Legal Studies with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
M.A. Legal Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Forms
Graduate Studies
Departmental Forms
General:
- Departmental Funding Application Form – for conference and event support; complete and submit to the Assistant to the Chair.
1) M.A. – Student Forms
2) M.A. Thesis & Research Essay Forms
- Departmental Guidelines for Theses and Research Essays in Legal Studies
- Thesis/Research Essay Supervision Committee Form
- Thesis Candidate Check List
- Thesis Defence Online Form
Graduate Registration
Graduate Advising
Our graduate advising team provides potential and in-program students with information on program and degree requirements. Students are welcome to make an appointment to discuss any administrative concerns they may have regarding the Legal Studies program with the Graduate Administrator.
For an appointment with the Graduate Supervisor, students are encouraged to contact her directly at megan.gaucher@carleton.ca to schedule an appointment.
Registration Information
Registration for the coming academic sessions must be completed via Carleton Central. Registration dates and deadlines are available at: http://carleton.ca/registrar/registration/
All students are assigned time tickets for registration according to the last two digits of their student numbers. Some Legal Studies graduate level courses will be available only to Legal Studies graduate students.
For information regarding registration and related issues, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
New Students
Congratulations on a successful application to a very unique program here in Canada!
We are pleased that you have chosen our program for your continued studies and aim to provide you with an intellectually stimulating and congenial environment in which you will feel both challenged and supported as you work towards the completion of your Master’s degree
We sincerely hope that your time spent in the program and in Ottawa will be extremely rewarding, filled with new experiences, new and long-lasting friendships and of course academic success culminating in the completion of the Master of Arts in Legal Studies program. If there is anything we can do to assist you towards the realization of your goals, please let us know. The Department of Law and Legal Studies has many resources from which to draw from. Faculty, staff and senior students in the program would be happy to help you as you begin your graduate studies and throughout your stay here at Carleton University.
An orientation for new MA students will be held during the first week of the fall term. Details will be sent to students by email in August.
TA Information
Carleton University offers a Teaching Assistants Orientation for new TAs each fall. This will be held at the start of the term (details will be sent to TA’s by email in August).
CUPE 4600
As a Teaching Assistant for Carleton University, you will be a member of a Union (CUPE 4600). You are strongly encouraged to review the CUPE 4600 collective agreement – this will outline the rules and regulations, rights and responsibilities that pertain to you.
The collective agreement is available online at the CUPE 4600 website.
Student Life
Graduate Law and Legal Studies Association (GLSA)
The Graduate Law and Legal Studies Association (GLSA) is the department’s student association. The GLSA’s mandate is to facilitate the participation of Legal Studies graduate students in the department and university community, to foster a sense of community among MA and PhD graduate students, and to advocate for the rights and priorities of LAWS graduate students within the department and university. Learn more about the GLSA.