THE FIRST STEP:
Get your credentials assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) 

Law Society of Ontario (LSO) [formerly the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC])
For practicing law in Ontario, the requirements for being licensed are set by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) only, and are not set by any law school. Therefore, please begin by reviewing both:

National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
Applicants with law degrees from other countries or a civil law degree from the province of Quebec who are seeking to qualify to practice law in a common law province in Canada must first determine if there are requirements to obtain in order to practice. The determination of these requirements is not done by the law school, instead it is done by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) entirely.

The NCA examines the qualifications of internationally-trained lawyers and issues assessments setting out the requirements a candidate must complete before she or he is qualified to enter the Lawyer Licensing Process in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. In many cases, the NCA will require candidates to successfully complete specified subjects either by taking particular courses at a Canadian law school and/or by passing the NCA’s challenge examinations.

To obtain an assessment, please contact:

National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) 
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
World Exchange Plaza
1810-45 O'Connor St. 
Ottawa ON K1P 1A4

Website: nca.legal

 AFTER RECEIPT OF THE NCA ASSESSMENT:
Options at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law 

The Faculty of Law has two options for those who seeking to complete NCA requirements, in accordance with their assessments. Admission is not guaranteed into either option, since we seek strong candidates for entry.

  1. The Global Professional Master of Laws Program (GPLLM)
  2. Selected Courses in the JD Program


Comparison of the OPTIONS: The GPLLM or Selected Courses in the JD Program

updated August 9, 2024

SPECIFICATIONS

GPLLM

SELECTED JD COURSES

OverviewCompletion of an executive-style, graduate degree program focused on Canadian law from an international global perspective. The program is offered in four concentrations, with the Canadian Law in a Global Context concentration designed to meet NCA requirements.Enrolment in individual courses from the JD degree program. 

PROGRAM FORMAT

Spaces70 in total from all concentrations Varies, usually no more than 10
CredentialA UofT graduate degree, the Global Professional Master of Law, is earned.A Statement of Grades is provided. This option does not lead to any degree, certificate or diploma.
Total durationChoice of 12 months or 24 months Varies according to quantity of courses taken and scheduling of those courses, thus may range from one term to two years.
Period of StudySeptember to AugustFall term: September to December
Winter term: January to April
No classes in the summer
Entry pointSeptember onlySeptember or January. For all entry points candidates must submit an application by the preceding May 1 application deadline.
Class timeDedicated program for GPLLM students on evenings and weekends, a convenience if working during the daytime on weekdays.Whenever desired JD courses are regularly scheduled during the weekday. No dedicated evening or weekend program. In class alongside 'regular' JD students. May not be convenient if working during the daytime on weekdays.
Distance or online learningIn-person classroom sessions only, no distance or online optionIn-person classroom sessions only, no distance or online option.
Career supportNumerous opportunities to engage with faculty, guest speakers and industry experts.Access to basic resources. Not eligible for career counselling appointments.

COURSE OFFERINGS

NCA courses offeredThe GPLLM Canadian Law in a Global Context concentration provides 10 NCA courses:
  • Mandatory 'Core' NCA Courses
    1. Canadian Administrative Law 
    2. Canadian Constitutional Law 
    3. Canadian Criminal Law 
    4. Foundations of Canadian Law 
    5. Professional Responsibility
       
  • Legal Research & Writing (LRW)
    1. Applied Legal Research & Writing
  • Additional Optional NCA Courses
    1. Business Organizations
    2. Contract Law
    3. Property Law
    4. Tort Law
    • To satisfy optional NCA courses, eligible students may take up to 4 courses from other GPLLM concentrations, with GPLLM program approval.
A maximum of 7 substantive JD courses which meet NCA requirements.
 
For the single JD course option these NCA requirements are NOT available:
  1. Foundations of Canadian Law
     
  2. Legal Research & Writing
    This requirement may be attained independently of any law school for a fee, through the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED)
     
  3. Professional Responsibility
Enrolment in NCA coursesIn the Canadian Law in a Global Context concentration the 10 courses are available since they form that concentration.Subject to the availability of spaces in individual courses, as priority is given to students who are earning the JD. No wait listing for courses. Notification of approved courses may occur as late as a couple of days before the start of the term.
Course GradingStandard UofT graduate course grading showing mark obtainedCourses are credit / no-credit.

COSTS

Cost (CAD$)

A program fee for all 10 courses in 2024-2025* for the 12-month program option is approximately:

  • Domestic students: $33,570
  • International students: $78,840

plus $2,141 graduate student incidental and ancillary fees for all, and $760 for health coverage for international students

* Please note that tuition may increase by approximately 5% annually. 

For each individual course, approximately:

All students:

  • $8,800 per course during 2025-2026

Government HST tax of 13% will be added to the per course fee.

Financial Aid & ScholarshipsNot available from UofT Law. Students may be eligible for external financing and aid options, including government student loans and bank lines of credit.Not available from UofT Law. Students may be eligible for external financing and aid options, including bank lines of credit, but not Ontario government student loans (OSAP).

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Application deadlineOpen, while there are spaces available before the program begins in September. Please verify before applying, contact the GPLLM staff.May 1st preceding the September to April academic year, regardless of which term you wish to start. For applying late, after the deadline contact the JD Admissions Office
Admission Requirements, How to Apply Go to the Admissions menu at the GPLLM websiteCandidates who have failed an NCA challenge exam are not admissible.
For admission information go to the JD Admissions website
HelpContact the GPLLM staff directlyContact the JD Admissions Office directly

 

Articling Placement Schedule in Ontario

National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) applicants should note that interviews for articling placement in Ontario generally take place during the summer one full year prior to the start of the placement.

Applicants are advised to contact the Law Society of Ontario, Bar Admissions Course (416-947-3300) or on-line at https://lso.ca/becoming-licensed/lawyer-licensing-process as soon as possible to confirm procedures and deadlines.