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Juris Doctor [J.D.] - View all program options

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

The Juris Doctor program is a 3-year non-direct entry undergraduate program. Entrance eligibility is based upon two full years of undergraduate study at a recognized university or the equivalent of such work (60 credit units). Note: there is no recommended pre-law program. 

Studying law provides you with the tools to solve complex problems on behalf of clients, corporations, non-profit organizations and government while upholding the rule of law. With a strong history in Indigenous legal education, strength in dispute resolution and access to justice, and leading scholars in the fields of constitutional, health, criminal and commercial law, the USask College of Law graduates leaders who work tirelessly to serve their respective communities, in local, national, and international markets. The JD program offers a broad variety of courses that you can choose from according to your interests and career aspirations.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying law at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your program

Learn more about the required courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or speak to an admissions or student services personnel to understand all requirements.

First Year Law (1L) courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

LAW 202.5 | Contracts
LAW 203.5 | Criminal Law
LAW 210.5 | Property I
LAW 211.5 | Tort Law I
LAW 230.5 | Constitutional Law
LAW 232.3 | Kwayeskastasowin Setting Things Right
LAW 244.0 | Dispute Resolution
LAW 245.2 | Legal Research and Writing

Academic tips

  • Explore information about the Juris Doctor program in the course and program catalogue
  • Students must pass all of their courses and achieve an annual GPA of 64% or better
  • During first year, students must pass “Dispute Resolution” (LAW 244.0) and must complete "Legal Research and Writing" (LAW 245.2), with a grade of 60% or better
  • First-year students are automatically considered for College of Law entrance scholarships with the exception of the J. Barrie Thomson Entrance Scholarship, Mohinder Chadha Award in Law, and the Robert L. Pierce and Eleanor D. Pierce Entrance Scholarship
  • The Academic Success Program is designed to provide additional support to students who, due to language or cultural barriers, learning disabilities, and non-traditional pre-law studies may face challenges in building the skills to be successful in law school
  • Attend the Upper Year Course Selection Presentation in the Professional Development Session held in March, for Upper Year Class selection in June
  • Consider attending Spring and Summer Law courses for Indigenous students
  • Consider a combined option: 
        French Common Law Option (CCLF)
        Law and Business: B.Comm/J.D. | B.B.A./J.D. | J.D./M.B.A.
        Law and Arts & Science: B.A./J.D. | B.A.(four-year)/J.D. | B.Sc./J.D.
What will I learn?
  • Develop a strong grounding in legal doctrine and theory, and bring that knowledge to bear on disputes and problems
  • Strong interpersonal, professional responsibility, dispute resolution, advocacy and communication skills
  • Critical and reflective thinking in the context of law and legal practice

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

  • Get familiar with the Career Development page for all career-related programs and services
  • Familiarize yourself with the Law Career Development PAWS channel
  • Visit CareerLink for legal student jobs and the events calendar
  • View the viLawPortal for access to formal recruitment rounds in Canada
  • Attend the 1L Professional Development Sessions - view the 1L timetable in class schedules
  • Schedule a one-on-one career development meeting
  • Attend networking events, by signing up on CareerLink, for events such as the SK CBA Law Firm Showcase (First Term), and Career Forum (Second Term), and firm/organization events
  • Continue to develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional identity
  • Create your legal cover letters and your resume and, if inclined, apply for 1L part-time, research, and summer legal positions on CareerLink
Featured courses

Explore your program

Learn more about the required courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or speak to an admissions or student services personnel to understand all requirements.

Upper Years Law (2L & 3L) courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

LAW 340.3 | Administrative Law I

You choose

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

  • Get familiar with the Career Development page for all career-related programs and services
  • Visit CareerLink for legal student jobs and the events calendar
  • View the viLawPortal for access to formal recruitment rounds in Canada
  • Attend the Upper Years Professional Development Sessions - view the upper years timetable in class schedules
  • Schedule a one-on-one career development meeting
  • Attend networking events, by signing up on CareerLink, for events such as the SK CBA Law Firm Showcase (First Term), and Career Forum (Second Term), and firm/organization events
  • Continue to develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional identity
  • Create your legal cover letters and your resume and, if inclined, apply for Upper Year part time, research, or Upper Year summer legal positions on CareerLink
  • At the end of 2L, apply for articling/clerking positions for the following year on CareerLink
  • If continuing to seek an articling position in the fall of 3L, reach out to the Career Development Office
USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nuturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with a law degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training. Review the College of Law possible career destinations for additional career information.

Career paths

  • Administrative Law Adjudicator
  • Articling Student | Student-at-law
  • Associate Lawyer
  • Associate
  • Barrister
  • Business Succession Strategist
  • CEO
  • Commercial Law Lawyer
  • Corporate Law Lawyer
  • Corporate Tax Lawyer
  • Crown Counsel
  • Crown Prosecutor
  • Education Lawyer
  • Entertainment Lawyer
  • Family and Estates Lawyer
  • Founding Lawyer
  • Indigenous Consultant
  • Insurance Lawyer
  • Immigration Lawyer
  • Judicial Law Clerk
  • Labour and Employment Law Partner
  • Lawyer
  • Litigation Lawyer
  • Mediator
  • Partner
  • Privacy Lawyer
  • Real Estate Lawyer
  • Renewable Energy Law Lawyer
  • Solicitor
  • Tax Litigator

We believe the graduates from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan have brought tremendous value to Legal Aid Saskatchewan by providing excellent service to our clients, and have successfully won cases at both the Court of Appeal and at the Supreme Court of Canada.

—Joanne D Khan, BEd, BA, LLB, Practice Management Counsel, Legal Aid Saskatchewan

Where do USask alumni work?

  • Academia
  • Access to justice/social justice
  • Administrative tribunals
  • Associations
  • Communications and journalism
  • Community-based organizations
  • Compliance
  • Corporations (in-house)
  • Crown corporations
  • Educational institutions
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Federal courts
  • Fellowships and internships
  • Foreign consulates and embassies
  • Government funded groups
  • Government ministries/agencies
  • Human rights
  • International relations
  • Law enforcement
  • Legal aid services
  • Legal process analysis
  • Ombudsman office
  • Policy advising
  • Politics
  • Private practice
  • Provincial courts
  • Public sector
  • Tech
  • Unions

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations in law using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"Saskatchewan articling students tend to be paid between $40,000 and $59,999," (Source: Law Society of Saskatchewan, 2019, p. 23)

 

"Usually, when someone hears about law school, they think about a very competitive and individualistic environment. The College of Law is nothing like this. It has been supportive, collaborative, and welcoming. There are so many opportunities to be involved with the community and to get to know your classmates. I highly recommend incoming students to take advantage of all the networking opportunities, socials, and events outside academics to round out your experience."

Sophia, 2L Juris Doctor Candidate '24

 

"The experience that has been most valuable to me is being a part of the Indigenous Law Students' Association (ILSA). It allowed me to connect with Indigenous lawyers and support Indigenous students in making connections.  Researching Indigenous issues has allowed me to connect with my culture and find my passion. In the future, I hope to work with Indigenous businesses and support them in their endeavours that will hopefully support their economies and communities as well."

Jen, 2L Juris Doctor Candidate '24

 

"The connections that I have made at law school are invaluable. As a social experience, the level of collegiality is unmatched as law truly is a close-knit group. The College of Law is an ideal place for any student seeking to not only study the law but also work in the profession. The education we receive is top notch with great employment prospects after graduation."

Caid, 2L Juris Doctor Candidate '24