Background and Context
Osgoode Hall Law School’s vision is to provide a rich, innovative, and accessible legal education that will empower our graduates to pursue flexible and challenging futures, including as leaders in the legal profession. Our mission is to be responsive to the priorities of our times by fostering excellence in legal education and scholarly research. Our responsibility is to ensure that students in our JD program meet, at a minimum, all JD degree requirements (e.g., required courses) and a more general set of academic expectations we will refer to as the “essential academic requirements” of the JD program. These types of essential academic requirements have been similarly used in other professional post-secondary programs.
Osgoode’s excellence in legal education is complemented by our focus on removing barriers to student success and ensuring that students have the supports and resources they need to excel. Osgoode’s strategic plan also particularizes this focus area of student access and success with strategic goals and priority initiatives. At Osgoode, some of these essential academic requirements must be met by students upon entry to the JD program, while others can be met throughout the program. Taken together, Osgoode’s JD degree requirements and the essential academic requirements of the JD program also include the competency requirements of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (the “National Requirement”).
Essential Academic Requirements of the JD Program
A.Although individual course learning objectives may be more specific, students are expected upon entry to the JD program to be capable of meeting, with any requisite accommodations, the following essential academic requirements:
i. Read and engage with materials assigned in the courses in which they are
registered.
ii. Write clearly in English and in a broad range of academic formats.
iii. Understand and comply with the Law School’s academic integrity requirements.
iv. As part of learning activities inside and outside of class (including online), and in keeping with the obligations set out in York University’s Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities, actively and respectfully listen to, and engage with, instructors, staff, guest speakers, visitors, and classmates, and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
v. Participate in activities required in any courses.
vi. Attend class in person, except for courses or sessions using alternative methods of delivery.
vii. Give oral presentations.
viii. Actively participate in classroom conversations and in small group discussions, as required.
ix. Contribute to teamwork within and outside of class, including collaborative oral or written assignments.
x. Submit work to meet deadlines and requirements as set by course instructors and the Law School administration.
B.In addition to the entry requirements listed above,and although individual course learning objectives may be more specific, students in the JD program are expected to be capable of meeting, with any requisite accommodations, the following essential academic requirements:
i. Conduct research, using primary and secondary sources, including using legal research skills and techniques.
ii. Write in a broad range of academic and legal formats.
iii. Participate in oral advocacy.
iv. In the context of clinical and intensive courses and programs, perform client work with integrity, diligence, and competence; abide by the applicable rules of professional conduct; and meet the requirements of individual clinical and intensive programs.
v. Take examinations and complete assessments using the Law School’s procedures, including, where applicable, in-person examinations and approved digital platforms.
Academic Accommodations at Osgoode
Osgoode is committed to supporting all its students to successfully participate in—and meet the requirements of—the JD program. We work in collaboration with York University’s Student Accessibility Services (“SAS”) to provide students with disabilities with appropriate accommodations.
Prospective students are encouraged to ask questions about accommodation for disability-related needs. Accommodations may include measures such as extra time on exams, access to lecture recordings, assistive technology, and/or flexible deadlines. We are committed to ensuring that the accommodation process is clear, fair, and respectful.
Upon acceptance, students with permanent or temporary disabilities who are—or who think they might be—in need of accommodation are strongly encouraged to contact SAS to develop an individualized academic accommodation plan.