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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.
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.
The Certificate in Law is a part-time undergraduate program offered fully online. You may take individual courses to explore areas of interest or work toward completing the full certificate. While Law courses can be taken in any order, it is strongly recommended that you begin with Introduction to Canadian Law, as it provides a sold foundation and introduces key concepts covered in the other Law courses.
With nine courses to choose from, you only need to complete four (12 units) to earn the Certificate in Law.
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:
*Only one of the following courses can be chosen:
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.
Non-Queen's Interest Law students must complete all four courses at the 700-level (I.e. Law 701) and will be assessed tuition at the Faculty of Law rate.
The Certificate in Law can be completed within one year. However, there is no fixed timeline - you may complete the four required courses over two or three terms, depending on what works best for you. Please note that the Certificate in Law is not intended as a pathway to courses in other faculties. Students are only eligible to enroll in Law courses associated with the program.
Current Queen's students are assessed home faculty tuition fees for 200-level Law courses.
Below is a breakdown of the tuition fees for one 700-level Law course for current and non-Queen's interest students.
| Domestic Tuition Fees | $1,134.00 |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (outside of Ontario) | $1,312.47 |
| International Tuition Fees | $3,594.24 |
All students are assessed a $10.00 Student Assistance Levy (SAL) fee that is applied per 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.
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. NOTE: Non-Queen's Interest Law students are ineligible for financial assistance. If you want to apply, please contact the Law Certificate Program Coordinator at lawcertificate@queensu.ca.
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-Queen's interest students are not eligible for financial assistance.
Law courses are offered throughout the academic year in Fall, Winter and Summer terms and may be subject to change.
Non-Queen's Interest Law students are not permitted to take the in-class version of Introduction to Canadian Law or any 200-level Law course.
Course Name | Course Number | Fall term (September) | Winter term (January) | Summer term (May) |
| Introduction to Canadian Law (In-class) | LAW 201 | X | X | |
| Introduction to Canadian Law | LAW 201/701 | X | X | X |
| Aboriginal Law | LAW 202/702 | X | X | |
| Workplace Law | LAW 203/703 | X | X | |
| Corporate Law | LAW 204/704 | X | X | |
| Public & Constitutional Law | LAW 205/705 | X | X | |
| Intellectual Property Law | LAW 206/706 | X | X | |
| International Law | LAW 207/707 | X | ||
| Criminal Law | LAW 208/708 | X | X | |
| Environmental Law | LAW 209/709 | X | X |
If you do not meet academic progression in a Law course, you can re-take course or enroll in another Law course.
Current Queen's Students can take two 200-level Law courses without admission to the Certificate in Law program. To learn more on admission criteria, please visit the Apply page.
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.