Joint JD Programs
UCalgary Law offers three joint programs to further enhance your legal education: A JD/MBA with UCalgary's Haskayne School of Business, a JD/MPP with UCalgary's School of Public Policy, and the International Energy Lawyers Program, a JD/JD program with the University of Houston.
We also offer a Certification in Common Law in French for students with fluency in French and a Concentration in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law.
About the JD/MBA
The combined JD/MBA program, offered in partnership by the Faculty of Law and the Haskayne School of Business, is designed to develop skilled, knowledgeable leaders ready to stand out in the highly competitive global market.
This four-year program combines legal and management studies, and prepares graduates for positions in fields such as corporate law, commercial litigation, international law, management consulting, government service and politics, taxation, finance and accounting, and environmental management.
JD/MBA students typically complete their first year of studies at the Faculty of Law, the second year at the Haskayne School of Business, and the third and fourth years combining their studies.
Through the JD/MBA, you will cover a wide range of topics. The core courses in law will explore such topics as constitutional law, contracts, property law, dispute resolution, administrative law, business associations and ethical lawyering. The business courses will develop and fine-tune your knowledge and practical skills in the areas of finance and accounting, people and organizations, supply chain and business analysis, and leadership development.
How to apply to the JD/MBA program
Applicants must apply and be admitted to both the Faculty of Law and the Haskayne School of Business in order to be admitted to the JD/MBA. A separate application must be submitted to each faculty.
If you have completed the first year of either the JD or MBA program, you can still apply for the combined JD/MBA program by meeting the normal application and admission requirements for the other faculty.
Please note: If you have previously completed an MBA, you are not eligible for the joint program.
- Successful completion of 10 full courses or 20 half-course equivalents from a university in Alberta or equivalent
- Successful completion of the LSAT prior to February 1
- Statement of interest
Applications to the Faculty of Law must be submitted by December 1 and must be completed online.
- Successful completion of a four-year undergraduate degree (minimum 3.00/4 GPA)*
- GMAT score of 550 or higher**
- At least two years of progressive work experience
- Resume
- Submission of two essay questions
- Two references
- A TOEFL score of 97 or higher/an IELTS score of 7 or higher (international applicants only).
*Students with a 2.50 to 2.99 GPA may be admitted based on presenting an acceptable GMAT score. Please consult the Haskayne MBA Admissions team about the GMAT score required.
**Combined JD/MBA applicants who have completed the LSAT with a score of 158 or higher and are admitted to the Faculty of Law may be exempt from the GMAT.
Applications to the Haskayne School of Business can be completed online.
The combined JD/MBA program provided the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to become a successful lawyer, and the business acumen needed to run a profitable legal practice.
Brett Turnquist, JD/MBA'11
Lawyer, Kantor LLP
About the JD/MPP
Offered with The School of Public Policy, the JD/MPP (Master of Public Policy) combines the study of law and public policy across a wide variety of areas, including resources and the environment, economic and social issues, international policy, as well as taxation, regulation and public finance.
Over 3.5 years, you will develop your legal skills and your ability to understand, analyze, develop and implement public policy, and you will be ready to take on senior leadership roles in public or private sectors where coordinated legal and policy expertise is required to achieve success.
How to apply to the JD/MPP
Applicants must apply and be admitted to both the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Policy in order to be admitted to the JD/MPP. A separate application must be submitted to each faculty.
Please note: If you have previously completed an MPP, you are not eligible for the joint program.
- Successful completion of 10 full courses or 20 half-course equivalents from a university in Alberta or equivalent
- Successful completion of the LSAT prior to February 1
- Statement of interest
Applications to the Faculty of Law must be submitted by December 1 and must be completed online.
- A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a minimum 3.3 grade point average on a four-point grading system in the final two years of study.
- Internationally educated applicants (if required) must also achieve either:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 105 (Internet-based) or 600 (paper-based).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5 (Academic version).
About the International Energy Lawyers Program
The International Energy Lawyers Program (IELP) is a joint JD program with the University of Houston Law Center that allows you to earn both Canadian and American law degrees in four years, and can apply for admission to the bars in both Canada and the US. You will develop highly-marketable skills for the energy and resources industry across North America, and employment opportunities are high because the program is structure to facilitate internships and networking opportunities in the energy industry.
How to apply to the International Energy Lawyers Program
Interested students should communicate their interest in the IELP during the admissions process or after receiving an acceptance to one of the partner schools. While it is not necessary to apply to both programs simultaneously, an early expression of interest will assist Student Services in providing course guidance.
Requirements
To be eligible to apply to the IELP, students must have completed the required first-year program and earn a cumulative GPA that places them in the top half of the class.
Students should apply to the program before beginning their second year and must receive formal approval from the advisor at the home school. Students then complete a current application for the partner university and all other requirements to be admitted as a law student. The completed application will be sent to the host law school along with a letter of recommendation from the advisor. The host law school will review the application and accept the student, unless there is an appropriate reason for rejecting the applicant.
Students will usually complete their second year at their home school and years three and four at the partner school. Working closely with Student Services, students will receive guidance to ensure that they take all courses required at both schools for graduation.
Note: If Calgary students are interested in the program later in their legal education, they should schedule an appointment with Student Services to discuss the degree requirements.
Required courses
Both universities have specific course that students must complete to receive a degree from the respective law school. Some courses must be taken in residence at the particular law school, while others may be taken at either university. See the course breakdown for each school and a suggested degree plan.
Tuition, fees and scholarships for the IELP
Dual degree students will pay tuition and other related fees to the school at which they are taking classes. Calgary students can secure financial aid through the University of Calgary.
A number of scholarships are available to students for study in the IELP.
IELP FAQs
Those students formally enrolled in the IELP are eligible to apply for IELP internships. An internship enrollment form will be sent to those who are enrolled in the program to be considered for industry internships.
Prior IELP students have interned at Nexen in Houston and in Calgary, Inter Pipeline, the Canadian Institute of Resources Law, the Alberta Utilities Commission and the Alberta Electric System Operator.
Most students seeking an internship have secured one but an internship is not guaranteed. Typically, students aim to secure an internship in the summer when they are not working with a firm.
For more information, contact Maryanne Forrayi.
The mentorship program provides an opportunity for UCalgary Law students accepted to the IELP to be matched with an industry mentor, where they will be exposed to the industry through meetings, an energy-related project (approx. 15-20 hours) and general mentorship discussion. For more information, contact Maryanne Forrayi.
Past mentor organizations include Inter Pipeline, CITO Energy Law and the Alberta Utilities Commission.
The University of Houston also offers a mentorship program.
About the JD/LLB with Jindal Global Law School
Under this program, Jindal Global Law School will nominate students selected from the second year of the three-year LL.B class or the fourth year of the five-year B.A/BB.A./B.Com-LL.B class for admission to UCalgary’s Faculty of Law JD program.
Students who are admitted to the UCalgary JD program will be required to spend two years at UCalgary and will work closely with Student Services to ensure they take the courses required to graduate with a Canadian law degree. Upon successful completion of the JD program, they will be awarded a JD degree from the University of Calgary and an LL.B or B.A/BB.A./B.Com.- LL.B from JGLS.
Students are responsible for fulfilling all visa related requirements and to meet all other requirements for study in Canada.
International tuition and related mandatory university fees will be charged by UCalgary. UCalgary may consider, based upon academic or other criteria, tuition scholarship offers on the same basis as any other applicant to the regular degree program.
Students will be afforded the same access to academic advice, freedom and restrictions as regular students regarding course selection and access to host university, host law institution facilities, academic advising, career services, and other student service support as regular students.