Master of Laws (LLM)

LLM Programs in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law

Since 1988, students studying natural resources, energy and environmental law from around the world have come to the University of Calgary to pursue their thesis-based LLM degrees. In September 2007 we added a course-based LLM stream to our graduate programs. Adding this route to a graduate degree allows the Faculty to better meet the needs of lawyers engaged in private, corporate and government practice in the natural resources, energy and environmental law sectors of the economy. The course-based LLM will also appeal to international students trained in civil law legal systems who seek an introduction to the common law and an opportunity to take courses and seminars on a variety of natural resources, energy and environmental law topics. Transfer between the thesis-based and course-based streams of the LLM program is possible. 

Our Master of Laws (LLM) degree program has two streams:

• Our thesis-based LLM emphasizes the research and writing of a thesis. It is a full-time program that also requires that students complete four half courses, two of them compulsory. The thesis-based LLM is intended for law students who have demonstrated strong potential for advanced research and writing in a common law system on a specific legal issue.

• The course-based LLM is aimed at lawyers who wish to explore one or more topics within our areas of specialization at advanced levels and at international students who wish to develop an understanding of Canadian legal processes and laws affecting the natural resources sectors. Students in our course-based LLM complete six half courses and a major research paper, rather than a thesis. The course-based LLM may be taken on a full-time or a part-time basis beginning in September or January.  Please note that only Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with a Canadian law degree, will be considered for January admission.  

Excellent students in the thesis based program will be considered as candidates for transfer to a special case PhD program in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. Students who complete the course-based LLM program with excellent standing will also be considered as candidates for a special case PhD program.

The Faculty of Law is an affiliated Faculty with the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) Energy Environmental Systems (EES) Specialization. ISEEE is “ … a cross-faculty research and graduate training institute at the University of Calgary that works to develop cost-effective solutions to the environmental challenges of energy production and use.”  The EES Specialization “is designed to go beyond disciplinary graduate programs by expanding the skill set of graduate students to encompass the interdisciplinary linkages between the applied, natural, physical, social, and behavioural sciences.  Likewise, the EES Specialization exposes graduate students to ideas and concepts from the business, and policy worlds that are vitally important for implementing effective energy and environmental solutions” The EES Specialization designation “reflects the applied, interdisciplinary nature of their graduate research, which is carried out in a unique, interdisciplinary learning environment that is in demand among employers in industry, academia, and government.”

An EES Specialization extension to a law graduate degree requires a graduate student to take four ISEEE courses, in addition to the course requirements of the Faculty of Law (though some substitution may be possible).  Space will be made available to an EES Specialization student in the new ISEEE building and the student will have opportunity to liaise with other EES Specialization students, ISEEE Faculty and staff, and interdisciplinary scholars.  As well, the student will have opportunity to apply for ISEEE grants and funding.  A student interested in the EES Specialization should consult with the Graduate Director, Professor Arlene Kwasniak,  and visit the ISEEE website detailing the EES application and process requirements

Please note that an LLM does not entitle the holder to practice to law in Canada. For information about the accreditation of foreign degrees, contact the National Committee on Accreditation.

For more information on all of our graduate programs, check out the Graduate Programs in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law program guide and our LLM advertisement.