MA/JD Program - The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs

MA/JD Degree Requirements
Language Requirements for MA/JD Students
Masters Research Essay (MRE) for MA/JD Students
Program Planning
More information

NPSIA and the Faculty of Law, Common Law, at the University of Ottawa offer a combined Master of Arts and Juris Doctor degree (MA/JD). For details regarding admission requirements for the joint program, please consult our admissions page.

This four-year combined program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of international affairs and related policy making processes, coupled with a formal legal education, including rigorous training in international legal principles and practice.

With this unique program, students acquire the analytical skills and legal training that will enable them to contribute to resolving a wide range of global issues including international trade disputes, inter- and intra-state conflicts, and public emergencies, and to protecting and promoting human rights around the world.

MA/JD Degree Requirements

Please consult Carleton’s Graduate Studies Calendar for specific and up to date information on the MA/JD program requirements.

To facilitate program planning, we have provided a suggested program pathway for the coursework as well as the MRE options, and a checklist of the related program completion requirements. We recommend that students prioritise the completion of their mandatory program requirements early in their MA/JD program; this prioritisation is reflected in our course recommendations.

Students completing 3 field courses from their designated field will graduate with a field designation. Students who do not complete 3 field courses from their designated field will graduate with a general MA in International Affairs. Students enrolled in a Specialisation will have that specialisation listed on their degree.

Language Requirements for MA/JD Students

Given that the ability to communicate is essential to international affairs, all MA/JD students must be able to function in a second major international language by the completion of their degree.

MA/JD students are required to fulfill the same language requirements as MA students – outlined here.

Students completing the French JD program are considered to have fulfilled this requirement. However, these students are encouraged to continue their language training while in the MA portion of their program. Please consult NPSIA’s language advisor for more information.

Masters Research Essay (MRE) for MA/JD Students

For full details on the MRE, please consult the NPSIA MRE guidelines. Please note that the MA/JD MRE has co-supervision requirements, and MA/JD students are expected to undertake research that includes a legal component.

Students may also receive 6.0 University of Ottawa credits for their MRE work. These ‘directed research’ credits are optional. They are intended to facilitate writing the MRE by reducing the Law School course work of combined program students relative to regular JD students.

Students wishing to take advantage of this option must enroll in a Directed Research CML 3351 in the term of Years 3 or 4 during which the MRE will be completed or substantially completed. Be sure to speak to your program administrators to make sure you can successfully register for these credits.

Timing of the MRE

As noted in the Program Pathway, students who choose the MRE pathway bear a lesser course load in Year 2 of the joint program than would otherwise be the case. They are therefore strongly encouraged to begin their MRE during Year 2 of the joint program, and to submit it by April 1 of Year 3 of the joint program.

Students who prolong or delay their MRE to Year 4 of the joint program risk failing to complete and pass the MRE before the Law School graduation date.

Students who have completed the JD portion, but not their MRE and MA will be required to register in the MRE course at Carleton (INAF 5906) each term until it is completed.

Students who do not complete the MRE by Law School graduation may still receive their JD, assuming they have fulfilled all JD degree requirements. Note that students who do not complete their MRE by the end of Year 4 may be ineligible to receive law school credit through Directed Research CML 3351 unless their Law School co-supervisor is prepared to assign a grade for a work-in-progress, rather than a completed paper. In the absence of such an understanding, students who fail to complete their Research Essay by the end of Year 4 may find themselves 6.0 credits short of JD degree requirements.

Program Planning

Year 1: Faculty of Law (uOttawa)

Students follow the normal University of Ottawa JD program.

Applications for graduate funding (e.g. OGS, SSHRC) for NPSIA studies must be submitted, and students should be attentive to deadlines (often early in the academic year).

Students who have not yet completed the prerequisite Introductory Economics credit (ECON 1001 and ECON 1002 at Carleton, ECO 1104 and 1102 at the University of Ottawa, or equivalent at another institution) must ensure it is completed before the Fall of Year 2.

Students should begin to plan for their NPSIA language requirement.

Students who wish to complete their program by MRE should think of research topics and potential supervisors at the Law School and NPISA.

Year 2: NPSIA (Carleton)

To facilitate program planning, please consult our suggested program pathway document.

Please consult Carleton’s Graduate Studies Calendar for specific and up to date information on the MA/JD program requirements.

To ensure that you are fully aware of the degree requirements, please consult the completion checklist.

Please note that MA/JD students are eligible for the various forms of funding available to graduate students.

MA/JD students should be aware that having to take courses in the summer of Year 3 of their MA/JD program may interfere with law-related summer jobs. Students should plan their Fall and Winter term courses accordingly.

If students have completed the minimum requirements to participate in co-op, they may complete a summer term of co-op in Year 2 . Please consult the Co-op Program guidelines for NPSIA MA students.

To proceed to Year 3 in the joint program, students must meet NPSIA mark and credit requirements. Students must receive grades of B- or higher in each of their Carleton courses.

Students completing the degree by MRE are strongly encouraged to make substantial progress on their research over the summer between Years 2 and 3. Please consult the MRE guidelines for complete details about the process.

Students opting for the MRE pathway should be particularly attentive to the registration requirements for INAF 5906.

Students who are confident that they can finish and defend their MRE before April 1 of Year 3 should register for the MRE course (INAF 5906 – MA/JD Research Essay Course) in the summer of Year 2.

Students who register for the MRE course (INAF 5906) and then fail to complete by April 1 of Year 3 will have to re-register in INAF 5906 in the summer of Year 3.

Year 3: Faculty of Law (uOttawa)

To facilitate program planning, please consult our suggested program pathway document.

To ensure that you are fully aware of the degree requirements, please consult the completion checklist.

Upper year law courses as decided by the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa.

One (1) half-year (0.5 credits) NPSIA course for which students receive both Carleton and Ottawa University credit. Students must register through the University of Ottawa.

Complete Research Essay, if applicable. If the MRE has not been completed, students will be obliged to re-register and pay fees in the MRE course (INAF 5906) in the summer of Year 4.

Year 4: Faculty of Law (uOttawa)

To facilitate program planning, please consult our suggested program pathway document.

To ensure that you are fully aware of the degree requirements, please consult the completion checklist.

Upper year law courses as decided by the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa.

One (1) half-year (0.5 credits) NPSIA course for which students receive both Carleton and Ottawa University credit (course can be taken in either the fall or winter term). Students must register through the University of Ottawa.

Complete MRE, if applicable. Students must submit their MRE by April 1. If it is not completed by this date, students will be obliged to re-register and pay related fees in the summer of Year 4. Students must maintain full time registration until the MRE is completed.

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More information

For questions concerning admission at the University of Ottawa, and the Joint Program, please contact the Admissions and Liaison Officer at comlaw@uottawa.ca.

For questions concerning admission to the Norman Paterson School, please contact international.affairs@carleton.ca

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