Master of Studies in Law

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Law's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have completed at least a master's degree, and preferably a doctorate, from a recognized university with a demonstrated high level of scholarship in a discipline related to law. Applicants must have a least a B+ average in their final year of study. Preference will be given to applicants who have maintained this average throughout their studies.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who obtained their admitting degree (Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or equivalent) from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must show evidence of English proficiency by submitting English-language test scores. Several English-language testing services are acceptable.

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Internet-based minimum overall score of 5.5/6 and at least 5/6 on each section.

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic module: overall score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component.

• The University of Toronto Academic English preparation course: overall grade of A in Level 60.

• Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Online: overall score of 70 with at least 70 in each component.

• Cambridge English Qualifications: overall score of 191 with at least 185 on each section.

• No conditional offers of admission will be given based on successful completion of an English language test.

Completion Requirements

• MSL students must pursue a course of studies approved by the Faculty.

  • The course of studies will comprise at least 24 credit hours (6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) and will include at least three of the following subjects: contracts, torts, property, criminal law, constitutional law, and civil procedure.

  • Students must complete a writing requirement of an interdisciplinary nature during their studies at the Faculty of Law. The project must be completed by electing one of the following three options:

    • Designating one 3- or 4-credit course as a writing requirement course. Only courses requiring completion of a written assignment of at least 5,000 words (approximately 20 pages) will qualify as a designated writing requirement course. Neither LAW1000H nor LAW1002H qualifies as a designated writing requirement course.
      
      or

    • Completing a 2- or 3-credit Directed Research Project (LAW1003H or LAW1004H) under the supervision of a faculty member requiring a written assignment, typically a paper or essay of 7,500 or 10,000 words, respectively.
      
      or

    • Completing a 2- or 3-credit Capstone Project (LAW1005H or LAW1006H) requiring a written assignment of 7,500 or 10,500 words, respectively. Capstone Projects may take a variety of forms other than a paper or essay, subject to the approval of the faculty supervisor and Associate Dean, Graduate Programs.

  • A mandatory graduate seminar: LAW1002H (Winter session; 1 credit).

  • In no circumstance will courses taken in the MSL program be accredited for the Juris Doctor (JD) program.

• Residence. Full-time students must be in attendance for at least two academic sessions (eight months, September to April).

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time