Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs in Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law

The Faculty of Law graduate programs are in the areas of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law. We are particularly interested in attracting applications from excellent candidates who have interests in two funded research areas: (1) legal issues associated with carbon capture and storage, and (2) legal issues associated with ensuring adequate instream flows.

The thesis- and course-based LLM degrees, Post Graduate Certificate and special case PhDs are only offered to students with a law degree and exclusively in the Faculty’s areas of specialization: natural resources, energy and environmental law and policy. Transfer between these programs 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.

Our Post Graduate Certificate program,  which requires the completion of four half courses, is currently  awaiting government approval. The program is intended for lawyers who wish to supplement or update their knowledge in natural resources, energy or environmental law on a part-time basis.  This program is pending Government of Alberta approval. 

Consult our Program Guide for additional details on our Graduate Programs.  Please note that an LLM does not entitle the holder to practice to law in Canada. For information about accreditation of foreign degreres, contact the National Committee on Accreditation.

For information, please contact the Graduate Program Administrator and Admissions Assistant, Brenda Tschanz, at tschanz@ucalgary.ca or the Graduate Coordinator, Professor Jennifer Koshan at koshan@ucalgary.ca .