The Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University offers the most comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Law in the country, as well as an innovative Master’s degree in Legal Studies, a Ph.D. in Legal Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution. In collaboration with other units, the Department offers a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a B.A. in Human Rights. We are a participating unit in offering the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management with the Kroeger College.
We don’t train lawyers at Carleton. Instead, our programs place the study of law within a social context and help you develop the critical, analytical, and research skills that are in high demand by employers. Our courses move beyond the study of legal rules, to examining what we know about the law and how it works in our society. You’ll acquire knowledge of the underlying dynamics of law and legal studies, including an in-depth understanding of its rules, agents, institutions, and power structures. Studying law in all these different facets is what defines the strength of the programs at Carleton.
At Carleton, you’ll be taught by experienced professors with a keen understanding of the law, many of whom publish extensively and are award-winning researchers. And since a large number of part-time course instructors are drawn from federal departments, government agencies, and private sector organizations in Ottawa, you’ll also be taught by seasoned professionals with extensive working experience in the field.