Joint J.D. - LL.B. Degree Program

presented by Michigan State University College of Law and University of Ottawa Faculty of Law

Benefits to Students and Employers

Students Gain Greater Professional Success with International Law Degrees
Photo of Graduate U.S.-Canada trade now exceeds $1 billion per day, and Michigan is the leading source, destination and transit point for that trade. This level of trade is expected to grow larger as the U.S. and Canadian economies become more and more integrated. As business ventures continue to develop across the U.S.- Canadian border, Michigan State University College of Law and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Common Law Section are committed to providing opportunities for its students to become trained in the representation of clients in these cross-border transactions. Both U.S. and Canadian law students can benefit from the Joint J.D.–LL.B. Degree Program offered by MSU Law and the University of Ottawa.

Benefits to Employers: Canadian & U.S. Employers Benefit from this Joint-degree Program
Graduates of this joint-degree program can demonstrate to U.S. and Canadian employers that they have an in-depth knowledge of both legal systems as well as practical experience in lawyering skills, such as research, writing, negotiating, and conducting transactional law. Both U.S. and Canadian law firms benefit from the fact that graduates of this program have satisfied all mandatory elements of both degrees. This program provides the most comprehensive Canadian-U.S. legal education available. The course schedules on the reverse side of this brochure detail the law topics joint-degree students cover in the program, which prepares graduates to sit for a U.S. and/or Canadian bar examination. Employers will find these lawyers to be valuable assets to their business as it pertains to cross-border transactions and the practice of transnational law.

About the Program

Take an international approach to a legal education and career
Graduates of the Joint J.D.–LL.B. Degree Program are ready to practice law transnationally. One of the most exciting programs at MSU College of Law and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Common Law Section is their joint-degree program, where students earn both the American J.D. degree and the Canadian LL.B. degree. Earning both a U.S. and Canadian law degree will prepare students for the economic and social consequences of international integration and globalization, making graduates quite marketable on either side of the border.

What makes this program strong
Students may choose which law school to begin their legal studies. They complete one full year at that law school, giving them a solid foundation in either American or Canadian law before pursuing the joint degrees.

Unlike some joint U.S.–Canadian degree programs, which are completed in three years, the MSU College of Law–University of Ottawa Faculty of Law program provides a more in-depth study of the law in both countries. Students meet all the mandatory requirements of both legal education programs. Graduates are better prepared to practice law on both sides of the border, since they have taken a greater number of law courses, have a more solid grounding in legal theory and practice, and have gained lawyering experience through clinics, externships, internships, and summer associate positions.

Two years at each law school
This joint-degree program provides students with more exposure to both American and Canadian law. Joint-degree students are required to complete two full academic years in residence at the University of Ottawa and two full academic years in residence at MSU Law. Photo of Graduates Students must complete the first year of law school at the school that initially granted them admission. After the first year, students seeking dual degrees will be allowed to schedule the remaining stages of the program on a year-by-year basis, provided that they are in full time attendance for two years at each school. For example, a student might complete two consecutive years at one school and then two at the other. Or, a student might do the first year at one school, followed by two consecutive years at the other, then return to the original school for the final year.

Entrance Requirements for Each School

Entrance requirements for Michigan State University College of law students
Subject to certain performance standards*, MSU Law students are eligible and encouraged to apply for the program during their first year at MSU College of Law; although, students enrolled in MSU Law’s three-year J.D. program who want to enter the joint-degree program at a later date can still apply, but their participation also will depend on the availability of spaces in the program. Once accepted into the program, no further application to Ottawa is required. The joint-degree program is open to all applicants (English and French) except students entering Ottawa’s National Program. A TOEFL might be required for those whose first language is not English.

*Other marketing materials on the Joint J.D.-LL.B. Program state that students must be in the top-half of their class to be eligible for admission to the program. Please consult Senior Associate Dean at 517/432-6926 for the current performance standards.

Entrance requirements for University of Ottawa Faculty of Law Students
University of Ottawa law students are among the best in their class. The University of Ottawa Faculty of Law receives the greatest number of applications of any law school in Canada. Candidates interested in the joint-degree program must apply directly to this program, and 10 entering students will be chosen to participate in the program at the time of admission. Once accepted into the program, no further application to MSU Law is required. However, to maintain standing in the joint program, students must be in the top half of their class at the end of either their first or second year at Ottawa, depending on their preferred departure date to complete their two years of studies at MSU College of Law.

Students enrolled in the three-year LL.B. program who want to enter the joint-degree program at a later date can still apply, but their participation also will depend on the availability of spaces in the program. The joint-degree program is open to all applicants (English and French) except students entering the National Program. A TOEFL might be required for those whose first language is not English.

For complete information on the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, visit www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca.

Tuition

This program saves time and money
Through this program, both MSU Law and University of Ottawa law students can earn two degrees—the J.D. and LL.B.—in just four years. The time it takes to earn both degrees is less than earning the degrees separately, saving valuable time before starting a career and significant tuition costs.

The cost savings of this joint-degree program are substantial when compared to the cost of obtaining both degrees separately. Students who begin their studies at the University of Ottawa will pay tuition at the University of Ottawa rate for the full four years of the joint degree program. Students who begin their studies with MSU Law will pay tuition directly to MSU College of Law for the four years of the program. For students paying MSU Law tuition, there will be a reduced rate during the fourth year.

Required Courses at Both Schools

Required Courses for Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.

First Year:
Civil Procedure I & II
Contracts I & II (may be satisfied by Contracts from Ottawa)
Criminal Law
Research, Writing & Advocacy I & II
Torts (may be satisfied by Torts from Ottawa)
Constitutional Law I
Property (may be satisfied by Property from Ottawa)

Upper Years:
Business Enterprises (may be satisfied by Corporations from Ottawa)
Constitutional Law II
Evidence
Professional Responsibility

Required Courses for University of Ottawa, Common Law Section, LL.B.

First Year:
Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution
Public Law and Legislation
Contracts (may be satisfied by Contracts I & II from MSU Law)
Criminal Law and Procedure
Torts (may be satisfied by Torts from MSU Law)
Property
Constitutional Law I
Students also take four optional courses

Second Year:
Civil Procedure
Constitutional Law II (Canadian Federalism)
Major Paper Requirement
Oral Advocacy Requirement
Students also take eight optional courses

Inquiries

For more information, contact:
The primary administrative contacts for the program are Connell Alsup, Associate Dean for Student Affairs at 517/432-6806 or alsupc@law.msu.edu at MSU Law and Stephane Emard-Chabot, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs at 613/562-5800, ext. 3321 or Stephane.Emarc-Chabot@uottawa.ca at Ottawa. Students who have questions relating to MSU Law should first contact the appropriate office (e.g., Registrar, Financial Aid, Career Services, Admissions). (See "Administrative Issues.") More advanced concerns should be directed to Cynthia Lee Starnes, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at 517/432-6926 or starnesc@law.msu.edu.