General Certificate in Law

The General Certificate in Law offers basic legal education to people not seeking to practise law. The program’s educational goals centre on the study of law as a social phenomenon and on understanding the impact of law on various areas of society.

The certificate is a 30-unit (credit) program offered completely online. You can complete its 10 courses part time in two years or full time in one year, offering you greater flexibility. The certificate is available in English, French or bilingual format, and is intended for anyone who wishes to develop a solid foundation in law but not to practise law professionally.

Why choose this program

Have you always felt a natural affinity with law but haven’t had the opportunity to delve deeper into this world? Whether you’re a manager, entrepreneur or organization employee, the General Certificate in Law offers a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge of law and its practical application in the workplace. Whether you’ve just finished college or university studies in another discipline, are a well-established professional or come from another country and want to discover law in Canada, our online program is designed to meet your needs.

The certificate, which takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study, offers you a full immersion in the basic principles of law. It allows you to see and understand a range of day-to-day life or work situations and introduces you to ways to analyze, reason, write and make an argument unique to the legal world.

Our professors, skilled jurists with practical expertise, guide you through this year of learning. The General Certificate in Law is the ideal complement to your previous studies, broadening your career horizons.

If you’re hesitant about committing to a licentiate in law program or are looking to acquire some basic skills in the field without wishing to have a career in law for now, the certificate is the perfect starting point, letting you test your skills and explore the possibilities available at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. It’s also a great introduction for those reluctant to start a full-time licentiate, offering up to 15 potential academic units counting towards a future Licentiate in Law (LLL). 

Program requirements

Program options and structure

For the detailed program structure and full course list, see the program requirements in the uOttawa calendar.

The 10 courses, five compulsory and five optional, will equip you for key areas such as law and human rights, labour law, contract law, constitutional law, health care law, environmental law, consumer law, Crown liability. legal interpretation, artificial intelligence and the law, and much more.

Program requirements

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the certificate program, you must:

Have completed two years of college studies or two years in an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT), or
Have completed the equivalent of a year of university (30 units), or
Meet the definition of a mature applicant.
You must also have a minimum average of 65%.

Transfer credits granted to certificate applicants

You may be able to receive transfer credits for the certificate program for courses you’ve passed at another university as part of a program leading to a law degree or certificate, if you have supporting documentation. We consider course objectives, content and level as well as your overall file.

Make your request for transfer credits in writing and include your supporting documentation.

Please note that we grant a maximum of 15 units of transfer credits. To receive the certificate, you must take at least half your units (a minimum of 15) at the University of Ottawa.

Transfer credits granted to Licentiate in Law applicants

If you’ve completed a general certificate or a minor in law, you can apply for admission to the Licentiate in Law. As well, if you meet the minimum admission requirements, you’ll receive up to 15 units of transfer credits applicable to optional courses.

We can’t award transfer credits for uOttawa’s DCC 2117, DCC 2118, DCC 2119, DCC 3101, DCC 3102, DCC 3103, DCC 3117 and DCC 4102 courses (or equivalent courses offered in French) because this course content is explored in greater detail in the first and second year compulsory licentiate courses.

You must apply using the application form. Discover and start the undergraduate application process.

What the certificate gives you

The certificate doesn’t lead directly to becoming a lawyer. But it does:

Give you a solid foundation in legal reasoning useful in business, management, policymaking, human resources, environmental work, and ethics and compliance.
Enrich your career profile for positions that require an understanding of legal frameworks.
Facilitate access to additional studies, including applying for admission to the Licentiate in Law with potential recognition of transfer credits. If you’ve completed a general certificate or a minor in law, you can apply for admission to the Licentiate in Law. As well, if you meet the minimum admission requirements, you’ll receive up to 15 units of transfer credits for optional courses.

Tuition fees

For information regarding tuition fees, please consult the official University of Ottawa tuition fees page.

University fees

Student Experience

Even though this program is offered online, students have access to the full student life at the University of Ottawa, including:

Access to student services, libraries, academic support, and career guidance.
Student groups, clubs, and multidisciplinary activities.
Events, forums, and conferences related to law, social justice, and civic engagement.
Networking and professional development opportunities with peers and legal practitioners.