About

The Law Advantage 

In today’s knowledge economy, success goes to those who can think critically and connect ideas across disciplines. Being able to anticipate change and understand how laws and regulations shape goals and strategies gives you an edge in any field.

A Foundational Understanding of Law 

The Certificate in Law gives you a closer look at case law, statutes, and policies. You’ll explore the historical, social, economic, and environmental forces that shape the law, learn how to think like a lawyer, and practice developing and defending your own positions. You’ll also see how current domestic and international trends influence legal decisions today.

About the Certificate in Law

• Designed and optimized for online learning to meet your learning objectives anytime, anywhere
• Courses are taught by Queen's Faculty of Law instructors who are experts in their field and Teaching Assistants are upper-year law students
• The program offers nine courses, each covering a unique aspect of Canadian law
• Current Queen's students can count two courses as electives towards degree program
• Apply as an interest student - no supporting documentation is required

Benefits of the Certificate in Law

• The Faculty of Law believes that understanding the law is essential for everyone, helping you navigate both personal and professional situations with confidence
• Early consideration for the Queen's Juris Doctor program
• Professional development
• Interested in pursuing law school
• Learn more about Canadian Law
• Stand out in a competitive job market. Anything you can do to distinguish yourself from other applicants will help

Aimee Lemire

I sincerely appreciated the program's flexibility and its ability to complement other fields of study, enhancing my academic and professional profiles. The program's relevance to real-world scenarios and its focus on critical thinking skills make it particularly appealing to myself as I aspire a career that is intertwined with law and governance.

Aimee Lemire

Erin Peterson

I liked that this program allowed me to experience a field very different from my major and informed my decisions on graduate school. I learned a great deal and was given the opportunity to experience interactions with people from all faculties. I am applying to law school with the hopes of making a difference in the field of Artificial Intelligence ethics.

Erin Peterson

Joseph Reid

I was looking for a unique opportunity to grow my professional development. Law is all around us – from the contract that is formed from purchasing a cup of morning coffee, to our constitutional rights listed within the Charter of Rights and Freedoms – and it seemed to be the right fit for me. I have learned a phenomenal amount of knowledge by taking the Certificate in Law Program. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to add something to their resume and actually gain practical knowledge that effect all of us both professionally and personally.

Joseph Reid

Take any four courses to complete the Certificate in Law

The Certificate in Law is a part-time undergraduate program you can complete online, including final assessments. You can take individual courses to explore topics of interest or work toward earning the full certificate. While you can complete Law courses in any order, we recommend starting with Introduction to Canadian Law. It provides a solid foundation and introduces the other courses in the program.

The Certificate is made up of nine courses, and completing four courses (12 units) earns you this valuable credential.

• LAW 201 – Introduction to Canadian Law (on campus students only)
• 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 & Constitutional Law
• LAW 206/706 – Intellectual Property
• LAW 207/707 – International Law
• LAW 708 - Criminal Law
• LAW 709 - Environmental Law

Certificate Structure

On-Campus Students 

To graduate from the Certificate in Law, you must complete four of the nine courses with a minimum final grade of "C+" in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.60. Requirements can be completed before or after graduation. 

If you are a current undergraduate Queen's student*, two Law courses at the 200-level may count as electives towards your degree requirements and you are assessed home faculty tuition fees. 

The Certificate in Law is a second credential and the two remaining courses must be taken at the 700-level and at the Faculty of Law tuition rate. Courses at the 700-level do not count towards degree requirements but are included in your overall GPA. Once courses are completed in a term, students cannot retroactively change from a 700-level Law course to a 200-level Law course. 

When enrolling in 200-level Law courses in SOLUS, please select your home faculty when choosing the academic program (I.e. BAH, BCOM, FEAS). 

If you are an Arts and Science student, please read the following: 

• Two 200-level Law courses can count toward the 6.0 units of non-Arts and Science courses in your degree (no additional non-Arts and Science courses are allowed). We strongly recommend that Arts and Science students start with the first two Law courses at the 200-level to build a solid foundation for the program.
• For students in the Applied Economics program through the Faculty of Arts & Science, please consult with an Academic Advisor before enrolling in Law courses at the 200-level. 

*Only one of the following courses can be chosen: 

• Students cannot take both COMM 382 and LAW 204/704 OR EMPR 210 and LAW 203/703 for credit
• PHIL 318 can be substituted for any 200-level Law course 

One core 200-level undergraduate Law course can be substituted for either PHIL 318, COMM 382 or EMPR 210 (only full time on-campus students can enroll in substitution courses). COMM 382, EMPR 210, and PHIL 318 do not automatically count as a 200-level requirement. To request a substitution course be included as part of your academic record, send an email to lawcertificate@queensu.ca.  PHIL 318, COMM 382 and EMPR 210 cannot be taken in place of a 700-level Law course.

You must complete your first year of studies before you are eligible to enroll in the Certificate in Law program, however, you can begin Law courses at the 200-level starting in summer between your first and second year. 

LAW courses at the 700-level (I.e. LAW 704) only count towards your certificate requirements and do not count towards your degree, however, included in your overall GPA. 

Distance, Interest and Letter of Permission Students 

For distance and interest students, four courses must be taken at the 700-level (I.e. Law 701) and you will be assessed the Faculty of Law tuition rate.

The Certificate in Law is a part-time program and can be completed within a year! However, there is no specific duration in which you need to complete the four required courses. You can finish in two terms or three terms. 

The Certificate in Law is not intended as a pathway to enroll in courses from a different faculty. You are only eligible to complete Law courses associated with program. 

Tuition Fees/Payment Methods 

Full-time on campus students are assessed home faculty tuition fees for 200-level Law courses. 

Below are tuition fees for one 700-level Law course.  

All students are assessed a $10.00 Student Assistance Levy (SAL) fee that is applied on a 3.0 unit course. Further information on tuition fees and policies are located on the Office of the University Registrar website. Tuition is due September 1 for Fall term, January 10 for Winter term and May 1 for Summer term. 

If you are thinking of dropping a course, please review the drop date schedule for undergraduate students to learn more about financial penalties. 

Financial Aid - Ontario 

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a financial aid program assisting students with the costs of post-secondary studies. For further information and to see if you are eligible for government student financial assistance, please visit Student Awards.  Non-degree interest Law students are not eligible for financial assistance. 

Financial Aid - Other Provinces/Territories  

To learn more and to see if you are eligible for government student financial assistance in other provinces or territories, go to Student Awards. Non-degree interest Law students are not eligible for financial assistance. 

Law Course Offering Schedule 

All Law courses are offered throughout the academic year in Fall, Winter and Summer terms and may be subject to change. 

Distance students are not permitted to take the in-class version of Introduction to Canadian Law or any 200-level Law course. 

Academic progression requirements

• Students must earn a minimum grade of C+ (GPA 2.30) in each completed Law course
• Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.60 to graduate from the Certificate in Law

If you do not meet academic progression in a Law course, you can re-take course or enroll in another Law course. 

Certificate application dates

• Fall term application is open June 1 - August 1 for courses starting in September (Document deadline date: August 8)
• Winter term application is open October 1 - December 1 for courses starting in January (Document deadline date: December 8)
• Summer term application is open February 1 - April 1 for courses starting in May (Document deadline date: April 8)

Course registration without admission to the Certificate in Law

Current students can take two Law courses at the 200-level without admission to the Certificate in Law program or as a non-degree Interest Law student through the Faculty of Law. To learn more on admission criteria, please visit the Certificate in Law Apply page. 

Transfer Credits 

Law courses in the Certificate in Law are undergraduate-level and cannot be used for credit toward professional degrees like the Juris Doctor or Master’s programs. 

Courses you’ve taken at other post-secondary institutions cannot be transferred for credit into the Certificate in Law.