Robson Hall Faculty of Law has officially hopped on the JD bandwagon, announcing last week the University of Manitoba senate has approved the change of its law degree name away from the traditional LLB.
The switch, which several other Canadian law schools have also recently made, is considered to be more in line with professional credentials that are recognized internationally. It comes following pressure from students and consultations with faculty, alumni, and the broader community, according to Robson Hall.
The change takes effect immediately, with students graduating June 2 the first to receive the JD degree.
The school previously held two student votes on the name change. The first, in 2009, demonstrated strong support for the adjustment. A subsequent vote the following year revealed near unanimous support among the student body. Seventy-three per cent of alumni polled also backed the change.
The new name will not affect academic programming at Robson Hall, and students will have the option to decide which of the two designations they’d like to receive upon graduation.
Alumni will also be able to apply for the JD diploma to replace their LLB. Details on that process are expected sometime in the fall, and will be outlined on the school’s web site.
The switch, which several other Canadian law schools have also recently made, is considered to be more in line with professional credentials that are recognized internationally. It comes following pressure from students and consultations with faculty, alumni, and the broader community, according to Robson Hall.
The change takes effect immediately, with students graduating June 2 the first to receive the JD degree.
The school previously held two student votes on the name change. The first, in 2009, demonstrated strong support for the adjustment. A subsequent vote the following year revealed near unanimous support among the student body. Seventy-three per cent of alumni polled also backed the change.
The new name will not affect academic programming at Robson Hall, and students will have the option to decide which of the two designations they’d like to receive upon graduation.
Alumni will also be able to apply for the JD diploma to replace their LLB. Details on that process are expected sometime in the fall, and will be outlined on the school’s web site.