Requirements
LLM (Thesis): Master of Laws in Air and Space Law
The LL.M. (thesis) program is a research-intensive graduate program that develops research interests into a thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member. This program is usually for students who plan to enter academia after graduation. The main difference between this and the other LLM option is the length of the written work students must submit. The thesis option includes a larger written project and fewer course credits.
Semester 1: 15 credits
Required Courses
- ASPL 633 Public International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 636 Private International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 637 International Space Law (3 credits)
- LAWG 601 Communication 1 (1.5 credits)
- ASPL 690 Master Thesis 1 (3 credits)
Students are also required to choose one of the following courses.
- CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to the Law (3 credits)
- CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology 1 (1.5 credits)
Note: Students may choose between Legal Research Methodology and Theoretical Approaches to the Law. If the Student chooses Legal Research Methodologies, they are required to take both course nr 1 and course nr 2 offered in the winter semester.
Voluntary Courses
Students are expected to take at least 15 credits; however, they may choose to take more with the approval of the graduate office (although it is not encouraged). The student may choose any course from the Faculty of Law. They may choose courses numbered 500 or higher. This semester, the IASL offers LAWG539 Specialised Topics in Law 20: Cybersecurity Governance in Air and Space during the fall semester. Furthermore, the IASL offers a 1-credit Focus Week course titled LAWG 551. Law Focus Week Workshop 2.
Semester 2: 15 credits
Required Courses
- LAWG 602 Communication 2 (1.5 credits)
- ASPL 691 Master Thesis 2 (3 credits)
- ASPL 692 Master Thesis 3 (6 credits)
Required course if the student has taken Legal Research Methodology 1:
- CMPL 611 Legal Research Methodology 2 (1.5 credits)
Voluntary Courses (3 credits)
Students are expected to take at least 15 credits; however, they may choose to take more with the approval of the graduate office (although it is not encouraged). If a student wants to attend more classes, they have the ability to audit the classes; however, they will not receive any credits for them, nor will they show up on their transcript. The student may choose any course from the Faculty of Law. They may choose courses numbered 500 or higher. This semester the IASL offers:
- LAWG 516 Specialised Topics in Law 6: Aerospace Finance (3 credits)
- LAWG 519 Specialised Topics in Law 9, Space Securities (3 credits)
- ASPL 614, Airline Business Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 632 Comparative Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 639 Government Regulation of Space Activities (3 credits)
Semester 3: 12 credits
NOTE: Master thesis students can take their third semester in any later semester and are not required to take credits during the summer semester.
Required Course
- ASPL 693 Master Thesis 4 (12 credits)
For more information, please visit: https://coursecatalogue.mcgill.ca/en/graduate/law/law-thesis-air-space-llm/
LLM (Non-Thesis): Master of Laws in Air and Space Law
The LL.M. program (non-thesis option) complements prior legal education through specialised graduate-level coursework and in-depth research. It enhances expertise in selected areas of legal scholarship and includes a supervised substantial paper in an area of interest. This program is usually for students who are not considering entering academia after they finish. The main difference between this and the other LLM option is the length of the written work that they have to hand in. The non-thesis program offers students more course credits and a shorter written work.
Semester 1: 15 credits
Required Courses
- ASPL 633 Public International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 636 Private International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 637 International Space Law (3 credits)
- LAWG 601 Communication 1 (1.5 credits)
Students are also required to choose one of the following courses.
- CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to the Law (3 credits)
- CMPL 610 Legal Research Methodology 1 (1.5 credits)
Note: Students may choose between Legal Research Methodology and Theoretical Approaches to the Law. If the Student chooses Legal Research Methodologies, they are required to take both course nr 1 and course nr 2 offered in the winter semester.
Voluntary Courses (1.5- 3 credits)
The student may choose any course from the Faculty of Law. They can choose courses that are numbered 500 or higher. This semester, the IASL offers LAWG539 Specialised Topics in Law 20: Cybersecurity Governance in Air and Space (3 credits) during the fall semester. Furthermore, the IASL offers a 1-credit Focus Week course titled LAWG 551. Law Focus Week Workshop 2.
Semester 2: 15 credits
Required Courses
- LAWG 602 Communication 2 (1.5 credits)
Required course if the student has taken Legal Research Methodology 1:
- CMPL 611 Legal Research Methodology 2 (1.5 credits)
Voluntary Courses (12-13.5 credits)
The student may choose any course from the Faculty of Law. They may choose courses numbered 500 or higher. This semester the IASL offers:
- LAWG 516 Specialised Topics in Law 6: Aerospace Finance (3 credits)
- LAWG 519 Specialised Topics in Law 9, Space Securities (3 credits)
- ASPL 614, Airline Business Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 632 Comparative Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 639 Government Regulation of Space Activities (3 credits)
Semester 3: 15 credits
Required Course
- ASPL 655 Research Project (15 credits)
For more information, please visit: https://coursecatalogue.mcgill.ca/en/graduate/law/law-non-thesis-air-space-llm/
DCL: Doctor of Civil Law in Air and Space Law
The DCL in Air and Space Law is a research-intensive program that emphasises rigorous and innovative learning and research opportunities. The program aims to equip students with skills in original thinking, literature review, and information synthesis to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.
Year 1:
Required Courses
- CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law
- LAWG 702 Legal Research Methodology for DCL
- LAWG 601 Communication 1
- LAWG 602 Communication 2
- LAWG 703 Literature Review, Analysis and Proposal
Recommended Courses
- LAWG 625 Legal Education Seminar
Year 2:
Required Courses
- ASPL 701 Comprehensive - Air/Space Law
Year 3-6:
Required Courses
- LAWG 704 DCL Research Seminar 1
- LAWG 705 DCL Research Seminar 2
For more information, please visit: https://coursecatalogue.mcgill.ca/en/graduate/law/air-space-dcl/
Graduate Certificate in Air and Space Law
The Graduate Certificate in Air and Space Law offered through the Institute of Air and Space Law is a coursework program, appropriate for students with a strong professional orientation. The degree consists of 15 credits in total, which can be extended to two semesters with the agreement of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
Semester 1: 15 credits
Required Courses
- ASPL 633 Public International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 636 Private International Air Law (3 credits)
- ASPL 637 International Space Law (3 credits)
Note: Students may choose between Legal Research Methodology and Theoretical Approaches to the Law. If the Student chooses Legal Research Methodologies, they are required to take both course nr 1 and course nr 2 offered in the winter semester.
Voluntary Courses (6 credits)
The student may choose any course from the Faculty of Law. They can choose courses that are numbered 500 or higher. This semester, the IASL offers LAWG539 Specialised Topics in Law 20: Cybersecurity Governance in Air and Space (3 credits) during the fall semester. Furthermore, the IASL offers a 1-credit Focus Week course titled LAWG 551. Law Focus Week Workshop 2.
NOTE: Graduate Certificate students can also get permission from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies to extend their studies to the second term, so they can take more air and space law courses.
For more information, please visit: https://coursecatalogue.mcgill.ca/en/graduate/law/air-space-law-gr-cert/