Can you get an online law degree in Canada?

If you’ve always wanted to study law but leaving your home or work is challenging, pursuing an online law program might be the solution. With these convenient programs, you can hit the books and pursue your legal dreams without having to leave home.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of your options so that you can still study law through online means. This article is for future law students, practicing lawyers, and other professionals who want to learn more about the law.

Can you take an online law degree in Canada?

To become a lawyer in Canada, a Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is required. No Canadian law school currently offers a purely online JD or LLB curriculum.

There are law schools that offer online law programs, which can be:

• short courses for undergraduate and graduate students
• part of continuing education for professionals, both lawyers and non-lawyers
• taken by international students as part of their accreditation requirements

In addition, these online law programs can also be taken in one of these ways:

• online
• in person
• blended online and in person

One of the Canadian law schools that offer online learning programs is Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. It also happens to be one of the best law schools in Ontario.

Some of Osgoode’s programs, such as their Professional LLM (Master of Laws), can be taken virtually via their videoconferencing platform. Know more about this method of online learning by Osgoode with this video:

If you’re also considering attending law school in person, check out our comprehensive list of Canadian law schools for more details.

Are there different types of online law courses in Canada?

Most online law programs offered by Canadian law schools can be:

• undergraduate online law programs: much like a bachelor’s degree, these can be taken if you want to become a lawyer (as a pre-law degree), or if you want to know about the law for a different profession
• graduate online law programs: these can be for a specific legal or practice area, which is usually open for all professionals (lawyers and non-lawyers alike)
• online legal short courses or law certificates: while these are not equivalent to an online law degree, these short courses and certificate programs can be used for continuing education for lawyers and other professions, whether as a requirement or for career advancement

It’s important to know the specific details of the course you would like to take, since each of them is different when it comes to its course objectives and results.

How can I choose the best online law course?

Here are some of the important points to look at when choosing the best online law course for you:

1. Check the law school’s tech requirements
2. Review the curriculum and structure
3. Go over admission requirements and processes
4. Look at tuition costs and possible financial aid options

We’ll go over each of these below.

1. Check the law school’s tech requirements

Since these law courses are taken online, you must have:

• a steady internet connection
• a reliable laptop or computer

In most cases, each online law program will prescribe their own technical requirements. This will help you prepare in advance in case you need to buy new gadgets for the class.

Example of tech requirements for online law course

For instance, Osgoode’s Professional Development online learning programs require the following:

• a computer bought within four years and cost at least $750
• microphones that can be part of a laptop, a wireless or Bluetooth, or connected to wired earbuds or headsets
• a camera that can also be part of a laptop, or an external one

Osgoode uses videoconferencing, which may accommodate students online and in person.

2. Review the curriculum and structure

The curriculum of online law classes is based on whether it’s an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program. Undergraduate or graduate programs are longer and may impose stricter rules during classes. Certificate courses are shorter and can have more relaxed rules for admissions and for finishing the course.

When it comes to structure, there are online law programs that expect your real-time participation. In some classes, you’re expected to take part in discussions, Q&As, group reports, and even presentations.

On the other hand, there are other classes that won’t require you to participate in real-time discussions. For example, there are some online law programs that only require you to complete a module, do some self-assessments, or submit papers.

In an online law course, you can choose which program is best suited for you.

Example of a curriculum and structure of an online law certificate

The Faculty of Law of Queen’s University in Ontario offers a Certificate in Law, which can be taken by:

• their on-campus undergraduate students, who can have two courses counted as electives towards their degree program; or
• distance and interest students, after applying for it and can be finished in two terms or two years

Both categories of students must be highly proficient in English.

This certificate program is composed of foundational courses on Canada’s laws. These courses are taught by Queen’s Faculty of Law instructors. The program offers seven 3.0-credit (single term) courses that cover a different aspect of Canadian law:

• Law 201/701 – Introduction to Canadian Law 
• Law 202/702 – Aboriginal Law
• Law 203/703 – Workplace Law
• Law 204/704 – Corporate Law
• Law 205/705 – Public and Constitutional Law
• Law 206/706 – Intellectual Property
• Law 207/707 – International Law

Students must finish four out of these seven courses to formally complete the program. Not all courses are offered throughout a specific term, so you must be strategic when signing up for the courses you’re interested in completing.

To pass each course, you must achieve a minimum grade of C+ (GPA 2.30). In total, to graduate from the Certificate in Law, you must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.60.

Know more about Queen’s Certificate in Law with this video:

You can also look at our article on Canadian institutions that offer online law courses for more options that suit your needs.

3. Look at tuition costs and possible financial aid options

When choosing an online law course, look at a law school’s admission process and requirements. Depending on the law school and the program you’re applying for, this may (or may not) be like their usual JD or LLB process.

You must also be aware of the application deadlines. These law schools will state when you should send your application and supporting documents.

Example of admission requirements for an online law course

The Peter A. Allard School of Law of the University of British Columbia (UBC) offers online learning courses. These courses are for foreign-trained law students and lawyers who need added education for their National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) requirements.

To be admitted to these online learning courses by UBC, you must:

1. register as a non-degree studies student
2. submit required documents
3. receive a recommendation
4. request online learning courses

There can also be admission categories for these online law courses, just like when applying for a JD or LLB admission. For instance, Queen’s Certificate in Law has four admission categories that you can choose from:

• Current On-campus Queen's students
• Online Non-Degree Continuing students
• Online Non-Degree Interest students
• Letter of Permission students

Make sure to check a program’s admissions process and requirements once you’ve decided to apply.

Interested in learning more about Allard Law? Read our article on law schools in British Columbia.

4. Costs and financial aid options for online law courses

These online law courses differ from each other when it comes to their tuition costs. Certificate programs are generally cheaper, compared to graduate programs and regular course offerings.

Just like the JD or LLB admissions, these law schools also offer financial aid for online law courses or programs. Contact their student admissions offices for more information.

Here’s a summary of how much Canada’s online law programs cost:

Other tips when taking online law courses

Here are additional tips when taking an online law program:

1. Consider the difference with in-person learning

Learning through an online platform is different from learning in person. While it can feel very isolating at first, you’ll adjust well to this new learning environment.

To help you in this process of adjusting to online learning, consider the following:

• simulate a physical setup that mirrors a classroom (e.g., having a room for yourself during class hours)
• prevent any distractions (e.g., don’t be tempted to check your phone while class is ongoing)
• anticipate any technical problems (e.g., have a backup for your internet; have a second device in case your first device crashes)

2. Prepare your physical setup

In relation to adjusting to this new learning environment, you’ll also have to prepare your physical setup. This is another difference you’ll have to expect when doing online law courses: you’ll have to set up your own "classroom" within your home or office space.

Here's what Canadian law schools have to say about your physical setup when you’re pursuing an online law program:

• be in a noise-free environment (e.g., no barking dogs)
• use noise-cancelling headsets or microphones
• have a background that is clear and professional-looking

3. Be particular with online rules and courtesy

Rules in a physical classroom are different from the rules in an online classroom. At the start of the class, or during admissions, you can check with your law school for any specific online rules. This may also depend on the professor handling the class. An example is if you must turn on your camera all the time during class.

4. Take some hands-on experience afterwards

Learning about the law in an online setup is different from learning from real-life situations and experiences. If possible, and if your law school offers it, explore opportunities that will offer you some practical experience like legal clinics and volunteer activities.

There are also other opportunities with extracurricular activities, such as signing up with a law firm internship or joining a legal organization.

Choosing the best online law courses and schools

An online law course in Canada is a great opportunity if you’re eager to enter the legal field, or just learn about the law, without the constraints of traditional schooling.

When you’re looking for a law school to study at, it's important to look at their curriculum, class structure, admission requirements and process, and the costs. It’s important that you also prepare your tech to comply with the law school’s requirements.

With the benefit of online learning, you can then balance your legal studies with other commitments while still achieving your goal of learning about Canadian law.

Aside from resources about online law courses, more articles on studying law can be found on our legal education and law schools page.