Master of Laws (LL.M.) in the Faculty of Law

There are two LL.M. streams in the Faculty of Law, the Institute of Comparative Law and the Institute of Air & Space Law: a thesis stream (fewer courses & an externally evaluated thesis totaling a maximum of 40,000 words) and a non-thesis stream (more courses & a supervised research project totaling a maximum of 20,000 words).

In each case, the student must complete 45 credits. It is not normally possible to take extra credits.

Students pursuing the LL.M. with thesis or non-thesis in the Faculty must take the following courses: Legal Research Methodology (4 credits) and Theoretical Approaches to Law (4 credits).

Students in the Institute of Comparative Law must also take Legal Traditions (4 credits).

Students in the Institute of Air & Space Law upon recommendation may take Legal Research Methodology (4 credits) and/or Theoretical Approaches to Law (4 credits), in addition to compulsory courses in Air & Space Law.

Other courses are selected from those offered by the Faculty and its Institutes, subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty of Law.

Students must register and pay fees for three terms of full-time study. Usually courses are taken during the first two terms only. The third term, devoted to research, may be taken during the Summer session of the first year, if the Thesis or Project supervisor approves. This means that it may be possible to complete the three terms within one calendar year.

Thesis Stream

The LLM. Program, thesis stream, is a research-intensive graduate program focused on developing research interests into a thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member. Graduate level courses on theoretical and methodological approaches to legal writing complement the research work and thesis completion process, and courses in specific areas of knowledge related to the candidate’s research interests complete the program’s credit requirements.

The Master's Thesis programs consist of a course work component and a thesis of approximately 100 pages. Candidates must remain in residence for three terms. The third term, usually devoted to thesis research, may be taken the summer of the first year, making it possible to complete residence requirements within one calendar year. If the thesis is not completed in this time, students must register for additional sessions as needed. All degree requirements must be completed within a maximum of three years of the date of first registration.

As part of the course Master's Thesis 1, a thesis candidate must provide a protocol to his or her supervisor setting out details as to the thesis topic, the deadlines for the completion of the various thesis courses and the schedule of meetings with the thesis supervisor. Modifications to the protocol must be made in writing and submitted to the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).

Non-Thesis Stream

The LL.M., non-thesis stream , complements previous legal education through specialized graduate-level coursework and in-depth research. It enhances expertise in selected areas of legal scholarship and offers an opportunity to write a supervised, substantial and publishable paper in an area of interest.

The non-thesis option does require a substantial Supervised Research Project during the third term of registration. This research paper, of a maximum 20,000 words, is assessed by the supervisor on a pass-fail basis and is typically completed in the summer. Candidates must remain in residence for three terms. The third term, usually devoted to research, may be taken the Summer of the first year, making it possible to complete residence requirements within one calendar year. If the research project is not completed in this time, students must register for additional sessions as needed. All degree requirements must be completed within a maximum of three years of the date of first registration.

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Masters within the Faculty of Law

Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law (Thesis) - (45 credits)

Required Courses

CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)
CMPL 612 Master's Thesis 1 (3)
CMPL 613 Master's Thesis 2 (3)
CMPL 614 Master's Thesis 3 (3)
CMPL 615 Master's Thesis 4 (6)
CMPL 616 Master's Thesis 5 (12)
CMPL 617 Master's Thesis 6 (3)

If approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO), students may reduce their elective course work by up to 3 credits by completing one or both of:

CMPL 618 Master's Thesis 7 (2)
CMPL 619 Master's Thesis 8 (1)

The remaining 7 credits (or fewer if more credits are earned for the Master’s Thesis) are elective, with courses to be chosen from among Faculty offerings at the 500 and 600 level.

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Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law (Non-Thesis) - (45 credits)

Required Courses

CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)
CMPL 655 Research Project 1 (15)

If approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO), students may reduce their elective course work by up to 3 credits by completing one or both of:

CMPL 656 Research Project 2 (2)
CMPL 657 Research Project 3 (1)

The remaining 22 credits (or fewer if more credits are earned for the research project) are elective, with courses to be chosen from among Faculty offerings at the 500 and 600 level.

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Masters within the Institute of Comparative Law

Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law; Comparative Law (Thesis) - (45 credits)

Required Courses

CMPL 600 Legal Traditions (4)
CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)
CMPL 612 Master's Thesis 1 (3)
CMPL 613 Master's Thesis 2 (3)
CMPL 614 Master's Thesis 3 (3)
CMPL 615 Master's Thesis 4 (6)
CMPL 616 Master's Thesis 5 (12)
CMPL 617 Master's Thesis 6 (3)

If approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO), students may reduce their elective course work by up to 3 credits by completing one or both of:

CMPL 618 Master's Thesis 7 (2)
CMPL 619 Master's Thesis 8 (1)

The remaining 3 credits (or fewer if more credits are earned for the Master’s Thesis) are elective, with courses to be chosen from among Faculty offerings at the 500 and 600 level.

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Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law; Comparative Law (Non-Thesis) - (45 credits)

CMPL 600 Legal Traditions (4)
CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)
CMPL 655 Research Project 1 (15)

If approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (GPSO), students may reduce their elective course work by up to 3 credits by completing one or both of:

CMPL 656 Research Project 2 (2)
CMPL 657 Research Project 3 (1)

The remaining 18 credits (or fewer if more credits are earned for the research project) are elective, with courses to be chosen from among Faculty offerings at the 500 and 600 level.

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Masters within the Institute of Air and Space Law

Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law; Air and Space Law – Thesis (45 credits)

This program is suited to students who wish to focus on original scholarly research and writing under the supervision of a law professor. The Thesis counts for 25 credits. The LL.M. Air & Space Law student in the thesis program must therefore take 20 credits of course work to meet the requirement of 45 credits.

Required Courses (34 credits)

ASPL 633 Public International Air Law (3)
ASPL 636 Private International Air Law (3)
ASPL 637 Space Law: General Principles (3)
ASPL 690 Master's Thesis 1 (4)
ASPL 691 Master's Thesis 2 (3)
ASPL 692 Master's Thesis 3 (6)
ASPL 693 Master's Thesis 4 (12)

Complementary Courses (11 credits)

4 credits from the following:

CMPL 610D1 Legal Research Methodology
CMPL 610D2 Legal Research Methodology (4)

OR

CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)

7 credits, at the 500 level or higher, chosen from among Faculty offerings (including ASPL offerings).

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Master of Laws (LL.M.); Law; Air and Space Law – Non-Thesis - (45 credits)

The Non-Thesis program is suited to students who wish to have a wide exposure to a range of taught courses, within, and related to, the domain of Air and Space Law. The non-thesis option requires a substantial Supervised Research Project during the third term of registration.

N.B.The non-thesis program is awaiting final university approval.

Required Courses (27 credits)

ASPL 633 Public International Air Law (3)
ASPL 636 Private International Air Law (3)
ASPL 637 Space Law: General Principles (3)
ASPL 655 Research Project 1 (15)
ASPL 656 Research Project 2 (2)
ASPL 657 Research Project 3 (1)

Complementary Courses (18 credits)

4 credits from the following:

CMPL 610D1 Legal Research Methodology
CMPL 610D2 Legal Research Methodology (4)

OR

CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)

And 14 credits, at the 500 level or higher, chosen from among Faculty offerings (including ASPL offerings).

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Masters with options / concentrations

Master of Laws (LL.M.) (Thesis) – Environment Option/Concentration - (45 credits)

The Faculty of Law, together with the School of Environment and other units at McGill offers a multi-disciplinary environment option at the LL.M. level.

Required Courses (10 credits)

CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
ENVR 610 Foundations of Environ Policy (3)
ENVR 650 Environmental Seminar 1 (1)
ENVR 651 Environmental Seminar 2 (1)
ENVR 652 Environmental Seminar 3 (1)

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

3 - 6 credits chosen from:

CMPL 546 Intl Environmental Law (3)
CMPL 580 Environment & the Law (3)

0 - 3 credits chosen from:

ENVR 519 Global Environmental Politics (3)
ENVR 544 Env. Measurement & Modelling (3)
ENVR 580 Topics in Environment 3 (3)
ENVR 611 The Economy of Nature (3)
ENVR 620 Environ and Health of Species (3)
ENVR 622 Sustainable Landscapes (3)
ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment 1 (3)
ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3)

or another course at the 500-level or higher recommended by the advisory committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee

Thesis Component – Required (29 credits)

CMPL 612 Master's Thesis 1 (3)
CMPL 613 Master's Thesis 2 (3)
CMPL 614 Master's Thesis 3 (3)
CMPL 615 Master's Thesis 4 (6)
CMPL 616 Master's Thesis 5 (12)
CMPL 618 Master's Thesis 7 (2)

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Master of Laws (LL.M.) (Non-Thesis) – Environment Option/Concentration - (45 credits)

Required Courses (10 credits)

CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
ENVR 610 Foundations of Environ Policy (3)
ENVR 650 Environmental Seminar 1 (1)
ENVR 651 Environmental Seminar 2 (1)
ENVR 652 Environmental Seminar 3 (1)

CMPL 655 Research Project 1 (15)
CMPL 656 Research Project 2 (2)

Complementary Courses (18 credits)

15 credits chosen from:

CMPL 500 Aboriginal Peoples and the Law (3)
CMPL 546 Intl Environmental Law (3)
CMPL 580 Environment & the Law (3)

and/or other Facultly of Law offerings.

3 credits chosen from:

ENVR 519 Global Environmental Politics (3)
ENVR 544 Env. Measurement & Modelling (3)
ENVR 580 Topics in Environment 3 (3)
ENVR 611 The Economy of Nature (3)
ENVR 620 Environ and Health of Species (3)
ENVR 622 Sustainable Landscapes (3)
ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment 1 (3)
ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3)

or another course at the 500-level or higher recommended by the advisory committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee. Master of Laws (LL.M.) (Non-Thesis) – Environment Option/Concentration, continued.

Research Project – Required (17 credits)

CMPL 655 Research Project 1 (15)
CMPL 656 Research Project 2 (2)

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Master of Laws (LL.M.) (Thesis) – European Studies Option/Concentration (46 credits)

The European Studies Option (ESO) is a cross-disciplinary program offered as an option within existing LL.M. Thesis Program. This option is open to students whose work is focused on Europe, in particular on issues relating to European integration, broadly understood.

Students will take an interdisciplinary seminar and three courses on European themes and issues as part of their LL.M. thesis program. The thesis must be on a topic relating to European Studies, approved by the (ESO) coordinating committee. Knowledge of French, while not a strict pre-requisite, is an important asset for admission and will be encouraged as part of the program, as well as knowledge of a third European language.

Required Courses (7 credits)

CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology (4)
LAWG 659 Interdisc Sem in European Stud (3)

Complementary Courses (9 - 10 credits)

CMPL 536 European Community Law 1 (3)

or another course at the 500 level or higher on European Studies in the Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Arts, approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)

CMPL 537 European Community Law 2 (2)

or another course at the 500 level or higher on European Studies in the Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Arts, approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies)

one of:

CMPL 600 Legal Traditions (4)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)

Thesis Component – Required (29 credits)

CMPL 612 Master's Thesis 1 (3)
CMPL 613 Master's Thesis 2 (3)
CMPL 614 Master's Thesis 3 (3)
CMPL 615 Master's Thesis 4 (6)
CMPL 616 Master's Thesis 5 (12)
CMPL 618 Master's Thesis 7 (2)

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Master of Laws (LL.M.) - Bioethics Option/Concentration

The Master's Specialization in Bioethics is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes both the conceptual and practical aspects of Bioethics with students applying through the Faculties of Law, Medicine, Religious Studies and the Department of Philosophy. Students entering through Law are bound by the requirements of the Faculty of Law’s LL.M. program (thesis option) and are attached to the Institute of Comparative Law. This means that the courses in Legal Research Methodology and Theoretical Approaches to Law are required. A total of 21 course credits are required for the Bioethics Specialization.

The curriculum is composed of required courses (for 6 credits) offered in the Biomedical Ethics Unit, bioethics courses (3 credit minimum):

CMPL 642 Law and Health Care (3)
CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4)

with remaining credits chosen from the Faculty of Law and Bioethics offerings at the 500 or 600 level.

A minimum of 45 credits is required including the thesis. For further information regarding this program, please refer to the Bioethics section. See www.mcgill.ca/biomedicalethicsunit.