Searching for Law schools in Alberta? If you’re considering becoming a law student in Alberta, Canada, and have some questions, we’ve got the answers.
You’ll find information about law schools in Alberta, programs, and careers for lawyers here.
What is the Best Law School in Alberta?
When it comes to deciding which law school in Alberta is the best for you, there are a few factors to consider. The most important thing is to select a program that fits your learning style and interests. There are several options available from which you can choose.
The University of Alberta is arguably the best law school in Alberta. It offers programs through its Faculty of Law and Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers a Master of Laws degree with three specialization options: Intellectual Property Law, Energy, Natural Resources & Environmental Law, and Corporate & Business Law.
The faculty also offers two joint degrees: Juris Doctor/Master’s in International Relations (JD/MIR), and Juris Doctor/Masters in Public Administration (JD/MAPAD). This means that if you are interested in pursuing an advanced degree alongside your law studies then this is an option as well.
How Long Does Law Program Take in Alberta?
Law programs are usually four or five years long and require a bachelor’s degree. While elite law schools in Alberta are expensive and competitive to get into, it’s also difficult to complete successfully. For example, most students don’t pass the bar exam on their first try (or sometimes even on their second or third tries).
In fact, according to a recent study by The National Jurist’s Law School Rankings & Stats, only 19 percent of all students pass the bar exam on their first attempt—and that number drops even further if you exclude schools with low admission standards.
Those who get through law school must find employment to pay off their student loans. However, this isn’t always easy because lawyers tend not only to be underpaid but also overworked as well.
List of the Law Schools in Alberta
Studying law in Alberta is like being a part of a vibrant and diverse community. Law schools in Alberta are known for their high-quality programs, which include classes in civil liberties, criminal law, and international law.
In addition to their academic pursuits, students at these schools enjoy many opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities such as mock trials or moot courts.
These types of activities help students develop their communication skills while also building a sense of community with other students who share their interests.
Overall, studying law in any of the top law schools in Alberta can be a truly rewarding experience, both professionally, and career-wise. With that in mind, here are the top law schools in Alberta:
Faculty of Law | University of Alberta
Tuition Fee: $15,094.84 per year.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: J.D. (Common Law).
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta. It was founded as a college in 1908 and became a university in 1912. The school has an undergraduate student body of around 40,000 students and more than 300 academic programs.
The University of Alberta is one of five schools that make up the U15, a group that includes Canada’s most research-intensive universities (including the University of Toronto and McGill University), which are ranked as some of the best law schools in Canada.
Faculty of Law | University of Calgary
Tuition Fee: $16,640 per year for Canadian students and $52,000 per year for international students.
Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: J.D. (Common Law).
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 1976, it has over 30,000 students across 13 faculties. The University of Calgary was established by the Royal Charter with 5 founding colleges: First Nations Studies College, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Law.
The university is ranked as one of Canada’s top 15 institutions for its education programs, research prowess, technology transfer, and economic impact on Alberta’s economy.
List of Schools Offering Legal Assistant Programs
Are you looking for a career that allows you to help others? If so, becoming a legal assistant may be right for you.
Legal Assistants work to support lawyers and other legal professionals by doing things like preparing documents and making sure all the legal aspects of a case are handled properly. They can also help with other tasks such as setting up appointments with clients or updating clients on their cases.
Legal Assistants can work in many different areas of law, including criminal defense and personal injury. They can also work for small businesses or corporations that need help with paperwork or contract negotiations.
In Alberta, you only have two options of core law schools – the University of Alberta, and the University of Calgary – listed above. However, if you have a dream of becoming a lawyer (Civil or Common Law), the following law schools in Alberta may not be for you as they only offer Legal Assistant programs:
McEwan University
Tuition Fee: $12,427.91 per year.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: Legal Office Assistant Major.
McEwan University is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
McEwan has campuses in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. The university has over 5,500 students enrolled in over 100 undergraduate programs and over 40 graduate programs offered by eight faculties: Arts & Science; Business, Education, Engineering & Applied Science, Kinesiology, Nursing & Health Studies, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health Sciences.
McEwan doesn’t offer a full-fledged law program. It only offers a Legal Office Assistant program for people who intend to work in other roles in the law ecosystem.
Bow Valley College
Tuition Fee: $4,577 per year.
Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: Legal Assistant and Justice Studies programs.
Bow Valley College is a public, post-secondary institution in Alberta, Canada. It was established in 1996 as the Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN) and became an independent college in 2007.
The college offers programs in healthcare, business, computer technology, engineering, and trades. Bow Valley College also has campuses located throughout southern Alberta including Banff and Canmore.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Tuition Fee: $160 per credit for domestic students and $505.47 per credit for international students.
Location: Calgary, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: 2-year Diploma in Legal Assistant.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is a post-secondary institution with campuses both in Calgary and Edmonton. It offers a range of programs from certificate to graduate level, including degrees in engineering, business, and technology.
The school requires applicants to have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, in addition to their SAT scores (or ACT equivalent). LSAT scores are also accepted instead of SATs if you want to apply for the law program at SAIT. The application deadline varies by program but is typically around January 1st each year.
You can choose between full-time or part-time studies at this institution. The tuition fees are based upon your program length and location — whether it be in Calgary or Edmonton — but costs range from $1,500 – $4,000 per semester depending on which city student attends school at SAIT Calgary Campus or SAIT Edmonton Campus respectively.
NorQuest College
Tuition Fee: $165 per credit for domestic students and $431 per credit for international students.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: Diploma in Justice Studies.
NorQuest College is a public, post-secondary institution with campuses across Alberta. The college offers career training programs in high-demand fields as well as flexible education options for students looking to gain skills or complete an associate degree.
NorQuest’s main campus is located in Edmonton, with additional locations throughout the province of Alberta: Calgary Campus (Calgary), Acheson Campus (Spruce Grove), Grande Prairie Regional College Centre (Grande Prairie), and Grande Prairie Regional College Eastgate Campus (High Prairie).
NorQuest offers law programs in Justice Studies, Criminal Law, and Private Law. Albeit, it is a relatively newer law school in Alberta. It makes a decent choice for a law school in Alberta to study in if you are considering this school.
Red Deer Polytechnic
Tuition Fee: $5,152 per year.
Location: Red Deer, Alberta.
Degree(s) Offered: Legal Assistant Program.
Central Alberta’s university of choice for post-secondary education, Red Deer Polytechnic is a public, degree-granting institution of higher learning located in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They offer over 20 programs at two Calgary campuses as well as online and onsite at locations throughout central Alberta. They have a mission is to provide high-quality applied education that prepares students for career success in serving those who live and work in this region.
What Do Lawyers Earn in Alberta?
Except for a few notable exceptions, lawyers in Alberta earn more than their counterparts in other parts of Canada and around the world. According to Indeed, lawyers in Alberta earn a median salary of $96,839 per year, which is about $15,000 higher than the national average for all occupations.
In fact, according to one report by Global News: Alberta’s lawyers are among the best-paid lawyers in two categories — not just nationally but also internationally.
What Is It Like Living in Alberta?
Living in Alberta is a lot like living in any other province. You have the same weather, the same seasons, and the same general vibe. That being said, some things make Alberta unique.
The first thing you’ll notice about living in Alberta is that the weather can be pretty extreme. The summers are hot and dry, but the winters are cold and snowy. This means that your wardrobe has to be versatile—you need to be able to transition between shorts and sweaters as soon as you step outside.
You’ll also notice that there are a lot of people who live in Alberta who come from all over the world—and they bring their culture with them. Whether it’s food, music, or language, there’s always something new to learn about when you start living here.
Overall, living in Alberta and studying law in any of these top law schools in Alberta is an enjoyable experience, similar to other law schools in other cities around the world.
How Do I Know if Law Is a Good Study Choice for Me?
Law school is a great choice for those who are interested in the law and the legal system. Law students learn about how the law works in practice, from criminal trials to business contracts. In addition, many law schools offer specialized courses that focus on particular areas of law such as corporate finance.
Law school is also a good choice for those who want to work in business or finance after graduation. Graduates can find jobs at banks and financial firms, where they might be able to specialize in areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), securities regulation, international tax planning, or wealth management.
There is no description of what a law student should be like, or look like. Anybody can dream of becoming a lawyer. If you particularly enjoy finding facts, arguing, and winning your cases and have no problem reading big, boring books, then law may just be for you.
Wrapping It Up
I hope this article has helped you better understand your various options of law schools in Alberta and how to get a law degree. If you still have questions about what it means to be a lawyer or how long it takes to get your JD, please feel free to do some more research. Otherwise, you may leave a comment below. We’re happy to provide more information on law programs in Alberta, as well as answer any other questions that might come up along the way.