Distance Law Degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Spin, Nov 15, 2004.

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  1. Spin

    Spin New Member

    I am currently finishing a degree at Athabasca University in Canada. I am wondering if anyone knows of any decent distance learning law degrees that are recognized by the Law Society of Upper Canada?

    I'm mainly looking to get my foot in the door and then transfer to a local law school.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    I don't know of any online or distance law schools in Canada, but you might consider the University of London LLB. You can qualify to practice law in Canada by earning the UOL LLB, then having it "evaluated" by the Law Society. Depending on your grades, you'll be asked to take a number of classes or examinations before you will be able to be admitted to practice.

    Here's a link with more information:

    http://www.flsc.ca/en/foreignLawyers/guidelines.asp
     
  3. etech

    etech New Member

    which degree are you completing with AU and how has been your experience with them. ? AU couses seem to be getting very expensive.
     
  4. Spin

    Spin New Member

    Re: Re: Distance Law Degree

    I'm doing the Bachelor of General Studies degree. I have 10 courses inlcuding the ones I'm in enrolled in to finish due to transfer credits, etc.

    I've found them to be the cheapest tuition around, especially considering it includes your books and other supplies.

    So far my experience has been positive.
     
  5. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Canada will almost certainly require a D/L LL.B. holder to complete at least 40 semester hours at a Canadian law school. Hardly worth it, IMHO. If you want to be a Canadian lawyer, get a resident Canadian LL.B.
     
  6. novemberdude

    novemberdude New Member

    As far as I am aware there are no Canadian law schools offering a distance learning qualifying law program, which I guess you realize. University of London offers a well respected distance learning LLB which is a qualifying degree in the UK, but not in Canada of course. A complete UoL LLB with good marks will qualify for transfer credit. I have no idea what the transfer situation would be for an incomplete LLB.

    It is a lot better if you can get straight into a Canadian law school, as from what I understand you need top notch marks to transfer as transfer spaces are very limited. Also you might not get credit for all the courses you've done, and I think you have to still take the LSAT. Plus the UoL LLB is a LOT of work. All in all not a great deal.

    Other options for DL LLBs include:

    University of Huddersfield
    Nottingham Trent University
    Norhumbria University
    Open University (courses may not be available to Canadians).

    All are Royal Charter schools so they should be acceptable for transfer credit purposes (check first).

    Also UNISA (South Africa) offers a DL LLB, as does Deakin University (Australia). Not sure what the form is on transfer credit there. Both schools are locally accredited so presumably they'd be okay (again, check first).

    You might also realize this, but if you complete a distance learning LLB it will only in practical terms give you advanced standing at a Canadian Law School. You'd have to have a LLB plus be qualified in a different country if you wanted any hope of getting away with just doing the challenge exams. From everything I've read you're likely to have to do a year and a half to two years at a Canadian law school (as Nosborne mentions).

    Good luck.
     
  7. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    But I would LOVE to qualify in, say, Alberta. For the holder of an ABA J.D. and admission to the Bar and years of experience, they MIGHT let me get by with a few examinations...

    Of course, even then, I'd have to article for nine months or so.

    And then there's the separate issue of immigration...

    Do a Google search on Federation of Law Societies of Canada and look under "foreign lawyers" for examples of the Canadian evaluation process. If you earn at least an upper second class LL.B. from London on top of your Athabasca degree, they MIGHT let you examine. Maybe.

    If they don't you'd have to find a Canadian law school that would admit you. Competition is said to be fierce! Even if they did allow you to examine, it's not an easy thing to learn a different legal system on your own. Trust me on this.
     
  8. novemberdude

    novemberdude New Member

    Nosborne,

    Forget Alberta (no disrespect to any Albertans intended).

    You have to qualify in Quebec. Learn French, Civil Law AND you get to eat great food.

    Of course the perpetual socialist agenda and the separatists get annoying from time to time, plus the weather sucks. Maybe it evens out.
     
  9. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

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