{"id":16284,"date":"2015-06-18T14:05:33","date_gmt":"2015-06-18T18:05:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/its-cuthemedev1.carleton.ca\/law\/?page_id=16284"},"modified":"2026-01-15T11:21:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:21:46","slug":"graduate-programs-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/future-students\/graduate-programs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n        \n        \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-cu-black-50 pt-10 pb-12\" style=\"\">\n\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-cu-black-800 cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        Graduate Programs\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-section cu-section--white w-screen ml-offset-center px-4 md:px-6 lg:px-12\"><div class=\"cu-max-w-child-5xl space-y-6 md:space-y-10   cu-prose-first-last\"><figure class=\"cu-figure not-prose  max-w-full\"><div class=\"not-prose overflow-hidden bg-white shadow-lg max-w-full rounded-none\"><div class=\"relative none overflow-hidden w-full pb-[56.25%] border border-cu-black-100\"><iframe title=\"Videos Embed\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W2luQnv-GB4\" class=\"cu-embed-iframe\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"application-deadlines\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application Deadlines <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The deadline for guaranteed consideration of admission and funding is&nbsp;<strong>January 15th&nbsp;<\/strong>of each year for Fall admission. The department will continue to accept applications for review following January 15th. Following the initial deadline, consideration of admission and funding is made if space and funds are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ready to apply?<\/strong>&nbsp;Applications can be made via the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.carleton.ca\/apply-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Graduate Admissions website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-5xl  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n    <div class=\"grid gap-6 mx-auto my-6 cu-column md:gap-10 md:grid-cols-2 md:my-10 first:mt-0\">\n        \n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<h3 id=\"ma-in-legal-studies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">MA in Legal Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<h3 id=\"phd-in-legal-studies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PhD in Legal Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#MA Program in Legal Studies\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"Requirements\">Admissions:&nbsp;Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"Deadlines\">Admissions: Deadlines<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2025\/11\/Information-for-Applicants-Graduate-Programs-NOV-2025.pdf\">Information For Applicants<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"#Program Requirements\">Program Requirements<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"#Coursework-Only Option\">Coursework-Only Option<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"#Departmental Guidelines\">Departmental Guidelines<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"#Research Specialization\">Research Areas of Interest<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/faculty-supervision-areas\/\">Faculty Supervision Areas<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/CU-FGPA-FPA-Legal-Studies-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MA\/PhD in Legal Studies Brochure<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/graduate-handbook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduate Student Handbook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cu-column-content\">\n    \n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#PhD Program in Legal Studies\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Course Descriptions and Outlines\">Course Descriptions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Program Structure and Requirements\">Program Structure and Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2025\/11\/Information-for-Applicants-Graduate-Programs-NOV-2025.pdf\">Information For Applicants<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: 1.5\"><a href=\"#Useful Documents\">Useful Documents<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/faculty-supervision-areas\/\">Faculty Supervision Areas<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/CU-FGPA-FPA-Legal-Studies-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MA\/PhD in Legal Studies Brochure<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/graduate-handbook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduate Student Handbook<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/future-students\/phd-student-profiles\/\">Current Doctoral Research<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"contact\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, please contact our <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/faculty-staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduate Administrator<\/a>.&nbsp;<a id=\"MA Program in Legal Studies\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"w-full max-w-xl mx-auto overflow-hidden bg-white rounded-lg shadow-lg cu-stackedlist cu-component not-contained not-prose\">\n    <h2 class=\"px-6 py-4 text-base font-semibold border-b rounded-t-lg md:text-xl bg-gray-50 text-cu-black-800\">\n        Table of Contents\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"grid cu-scrollto cu-stackedlist--toc cu-stackedlist--1 md:grid-cols-1\">\n            <div class=\"space-y-1\">\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        1.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#ma-program-in-legal-studies\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        MA Program in Legal Studies\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                    \n            <div class=\"pl-4 text-cu-red-700\">\n                <div class=\"flex gap-2 pb-3 text-base md:text-lg\">\n                    <span class=\"font-light text-cu-black-700\">\n                        2.\n                    <\/span>\n\n                    <a href=\"#phd-program-in-legal-studies\" class=\"font-medium hover:underline\">\n                        PhD Program in Legal Studies\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"ma-program-in-legal-studies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">MA Program in Legal Studies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our&nbsp;<strong>Master of Arts in Legal Studies<\/strong> is organized around the theme of law and social transformation. It&nbsp;is designed for students interested in developing a rigorous and critical understanding of law and relations of governance. Graduate students participate in ongoing research and seminar series sponsored by the Department of Law and Legal Studies, including the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.carleton.ca\/law\/events-calendar\/jurisprudence-centre-seminar-talks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jurisprudence Center JurisTalks<\/a> and the Graduate Culture Seminar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The combination of course and thesis or research essay requirements offers a well-grounded, theoretically-informed and research-intensive degree program. Students develop the theoretical background and research skills that are required for critical engagement with law and legal relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"admissions-requirements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Admissions: Requirements\"><\/a>Admissions:&nbsp;Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>High-achieving students from a wide variety of academic disciplines, for example: sociology, law, criminology, philosophy, political science, and history, are encouraged to apply. Students must have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree (or its equivalent) in a relevant field of study. In addition, the Legal Studies program also attracts students with an LL.B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>m<\/strong><strong>inimum requirement <\/strong>for admittance into the MA Program is&nbsp;a&nbsp;B.A. Honours degree or the equivalent, with at least high honours standing (B+).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Applicants without a background in law or legal studies may be required to complete one or more relevant undergraduate courses in the Department of Law and Legal Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Applicants will be considered for admission on the basis of their academic background and standing. Where relevant, previous professional experience may be taken into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Candidates with particular course deficiencies may be required to register in additional courses at Carleton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"admissions-deadlines\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Admissions: Deadlines\"><\/a>Admissions: Deadlines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The deadlines for submitting applications for the M.A. Legal Studies program are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Fall Admission (with consideration for financial assistance): January 15 | <\/strong>This is the deadline for submitting applications and supporting documents for graduate study. Candidates who meet the requirements and are applying for full time status will be considered for financial assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Fall<strong> Admission (no consideration for financial assistance):&nbsp;<\/strong>July 15<\/strong> | This is the final deadline for Fall admission; however applications submitted for this deadline may&nbsp;not be considered for financial assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"program-requirements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Program Requirements\"><\/a>Program Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our&nbsp;MA Legal Studies program 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\u2019s Research Essay (MRE) or a Master\u2019s thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a <strong>Master\u2019s Thesis<\/strong>, the candidate will complete:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; 3.0 credits of course work, and<br>\n&#8211; 2.0 credit thesis and oral examination<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a <strong>Master\u2019s Research Essay<\/strong>, the candidate will complete:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; 4.0 credits of course work, and<br>\n&#8211; 1.0 credit research essay<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"coursework-only-option\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Coursework-Only Option\"><\/a>Coursework-Only Option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u2013 law, history, sociology, anthropology, communications and political science \u2013 offering students access to a diverse, interdisciplinary pool of resources. 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: <a href=\"mailto:lawgrad@cunet.carleton.ca\">lawgrad@cunet.carleton.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"departmental-guidelines\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Departmental Guidelines\"><\/a>Departmental Guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our guidelines&nbsp;can help you decide which route to take and how to decide which topic to pursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/mathesisresearchessayguidelinesmay08.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Departmental Guidelines for Law Theses and Research Essays<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"research-areas-of-interest\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Research Specialization\"><\/a>Research Areas of Interest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Included among our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.carleton.ca\/law\/research\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">areas of teaching and research<\/a> strengths are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Crime, Governance and Security<br>\n&#8211; Globalization, International Law and Transnational Justice<br>\n&#8211; Citizenship, Human Rights and Political Economy<br>\n&#8211; Gender, Sexuality and Identity<br>\n&#8211; Law, History, Culture and Humanities<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"areas-of-supervision\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Areas of Supervision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for a supervisor? Please view our list of<a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/faculty-supervision-areas\/\"> Faculty Supervision Areas<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"phd-program-in-legal-studies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PhD Program in Legal Studies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>PhD program in Legal Studies<\/strong> at Carleton University is designed for students with advanced research interests in the interdisciplinary study of law. The Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University has a long tradition, dating from its establishment in 1967, of examining law within its broad social context, drawing on the tools and insights offered by different academic disciplines. The faculty members in the Department of Law and Legal Studies reflect this commitment to interdisciplinarity and are drawn from anthropology, history, political science, philosophy, public policy, sexual studies, and human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The central areas explored in the PhD Legal Studies program are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; the role of law in the transformation of contemporary modes of regulation and governance at the local, national and global levels;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; human rights, citizenship and global justice in the context of globalization and the shifting terrain of transnational linkages and identities;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; the relationship between crime, law and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome applications from individuals with a Master\u2019s degree, which need not be in law or legal studies.&nbsp; The program is aimed at students with an interest in theoretically informed, analytical study of the law\/society relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"course-descriptions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a id=\"Course Descriptions and Outlines\"><\/a>Course Descriptions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a breakdown of courses offered at the PhD level. To view the&nbsp;<strong class=\"myprefix-text-bold\">course descriptions<\/strong>, please click&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/calendar.carleton.ca\/grad\/courses\/LAWS\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Course<\/th><th>Descriptions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>LAWS 6000<\/td><td>Doctoral Seminar in Legal Studies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LAWS 6001<\/td><td>Proseminar in Legal Studies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LAWS 6002<\/td><td>Law, Regulation and Governance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LAWS 6003<\/td><td>Human Rights, Citizenship and Global Justice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>LAWS 6004<\/td><td>Law, Crime and Social Order<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"program-structure-and-requirements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"Program Structure and Requirements\"><\/a>Program Structure and Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The PhD Legal Studies is made up of 4.5 credits, designed as a 4 year program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Year&nbsp;1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Course work (2.5 credits), which is made up of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211;<strong> LAWS 6000<\/strong> Doctoral Seminar in Legal Studies (.5 credit)<br>\n&#8211;&nbsp;<strong>LAWS 6001<\/strong> Proseminar in Legal Studies (.5 credit)<br>\n&#8211;&nbsp;Choice of at least one field seminar from <strong>LAWS 6002<\/strong>, <strong>6003<\/strong> or <strong>6004<\/strong> (.5 credit)<br>\n&#8211; Optional courses related to the candidate\u2019s field of study (1.0 credit)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, students without a background in law will be required to complete <strong>LAWS 5000<\/strong> as part of their optional course requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Year&nbsp;2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Comprehensive exam<\/strong> (1.0 credit):&nbsp;<em>normally completed in the first&nbsp; half of the second year.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211;&nbsp;<strong>Thesis proposal<\/strong> (1.0 credit):&nbsp;<em>follows completion of the comprehensive exam and normally will be completed in the second half of the second year<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Year&nbsp;3&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Thesis Work<\/strong> (0.0 credits)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Application Deadlines The deadline for guaranteed consideration of admission and funding is&nbsp;January 15th&nbsp;of each year for Fall admission. The department will continue to accept applications for review following January 15th. Following the initial deadline, consideration of admission and funding is made if space and funds are available. Ready to apply?&nbsp;Applications can be made via the&nbsp;Graduate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":16261,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cu_dining_location_slug":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_page_type":[],"class_list":["post-16284","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16284"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33720,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16284\/revisions\/33720"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_page_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_page_type?post=16284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}