Law (JD)
Advocate, advise, and argue - admission is based on LSAT and GPA, not your undergrad major.
The Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate-entry professional degree - you need an undergrad first. Canadian law schools admit based on LSAT score and undergraduate GPA, regardless of major. UofT, Osgoode, Western, McGill, and UBC are the most prestigious. Specialisations include corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, and Indigenous law.
Admission Average
3.7+ GPA and 160+ LSAT for top schools (Tier 3 (<85%))
Typical High School Prerequisites
- English
- No specific U/M prerequisites — any undergrad major qualifies
- Strong writing and analytical foundations
Skills You'll Build
- Legal Reasoning & Argumentation
- Statutory Interpretation
- Legal Research & Writing
- Advocacy & Oral Presentation
- Ethical Judgment
Program Facts
- Typical length: 3 years (post-undergrad)
- Co-op available: No
- Graduate school: Not typically required
- Demand outlook: Stable Growth
Top Universities
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- Queen's University – Kingston, ON
- Western University – London, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
Law (JD) Admission Averages by University
- Law (BCL/LLB) at McGill University – low-to-mid 90s
- Law (LLB) at Université de Montréal – high 80s-low 90s (CEGEP)
- Law (LLB) at Université Laval – high 80s
- Law & Legal Studies (BA) at Carleton University – mid-to-high 80s
- Law (JD - post-undergrad) at Western University – LSAT-dependent
- Common Law (JD) at University of Ottawa – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Civil Law (LLL - French) at University of Ottawa – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Windsor – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (Osgoode Hall JD) at York University – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Victoria – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at Thompson Rivers University – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Alberta – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Calgary – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at Dalhousie University – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Manitoba – LSAT + GPA dependent
- Law (JD) at University of Saskatchewan – LSAT + GPA dependent
Careers This Major Leads To
- Lawyer – Entry $70,000
- Crown Attorney / Prosecutor – Entry $75,000
- Policy Analyst / Public Servant – Entry $65,000