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JD-BSocSc (Specialization in Political Science)

In a multidisciplinary approach, legal studies and the practice of law can be structured with a view to developing and strengthening complementary ties with other related disciplines such as political science, economic and social sciences, international relations or new information technologies, just to name a few. Moreover, the combined JD-BSocSc Program provides lawyers and political scientists with a chance to analyze and understand issues from these two complementary disciplinary backgrounds. 

In a world profoundly affected by globalization, the practice of law can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Indeed, globalization affects not only the economic and communication sectors, but creates new social, political, strategic and cultural challenges that the law cannot afford to ignore. 

The Common Law Section of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa takes this challenge seriously and offers a wide range of combined programs. For example, the combined Juris Doctor (JD) and Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with Specialization in Political Science provides an opportunity for students who have been admitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences to complete all the requirements of both programs in a period of six (6) years, obtaining two separate degrees at the end of their studies. 

The Juris Doctor (JD) and Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with Specialization in Political Science combined program is offered only in French.

Program information

Students admitted to the program do their first two years in Political Science with the Faculty of Social Sciences.  After two years, students who have kept the average required by the program spend their third, fourth and fifth years in the French Common Law Program at the Faculty of Law. Students who pass their fifth year of the program return to the Faculty of Social Sciences in the sixth year, and must obtain 18 units in Common Law and 12 units in Political Science.

Admission

The admission process is the same as for all other studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences programs. The required admission average is 85% for first-year eligible candidates regardless of the source. Eligible students in their second year cannot be admitted to this program. Admission to the curriculum happens in the first year only during the initial admission to the University of Ottawa. 

Transfer to the Faculty of Law’s French Common Law Program is guaranteed to students who maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 8.3 after the second year of study (60 credits earned) in the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

To apply for admission to the program, you must contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Immersion in French

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, the specialized program in Political Science is offered as part of the immersion program.  The Common Law component is conducted in French only, but is not available in immersion. 

The combined program is reserved exclusively to the French Common Law Program. The first year of the Common Law component is offered in French only.  Thereafter, students can take up to 25% of their Common Law units in English.

Tuition fees

Students pay tuition related to the Faculty of Social Sciences for the first, second and sixth years, and tuition related to the Common Law Section for the third, fourth and fifth years.

Students in classroom

Program Requirements

View the Program Requirements on the Registrar’s website

Course sequences

(Available in French only)

J.D. (French) - B.Sc.Soc. for students entering as of September 2018

183 units including 93 CML units and 90 POL units (including FRA courses and optional courses)


YEAR 1 – 30 units

Students report to the Faculty of Social Sciences and must complete 30 units including:

  • FRA1710, FRA1720, POL1501
  • 21 optional units


YEAR 2 - 30 units

Students report to the Faculty of Social Sciences and must complete 30 units including:

  • POL2501, POL2503, POL2504, POL2507, POL2508, PO2556
  • 9 optionnal POL units
  • 3 optional units

POL courses at the 2000 level are prerequisite for POL courses at the 3000 and 4000 level.


YEAR 3 – (equivalent to the first year of the French Common Law program) – 33 units

Students report to the Faculty of Law and must complete 30 CML units among the compulsory courses below and 3 POL units:

  • CML1506 - Introduction à la résolution des différends (3 units)
  • CML 1508 - Droits des biens (3 units)
  • CML1602 - Les contrats (6 units)
  • CML1607 - Délits civils (6 units)
  • CML1611 - Compétences et habiletés juridiques (6 units)
  • CML1613 - Droit constitutionnel I (3 units)
  • CML1704 - Législation (3 units)
  • POL3502 


YEAR 4 - (equivalent to the second year of the French Common Law program) – 30 units

Students report to the Faculty of Law and must complete 21 CML units (including at least 6 compulsory course units) and 9 POL units: 

  • CML1503 - Droit pénal (3 units)
  • CML2713 - Droit constitutionnel II (3 units)
  • CML2702 - Droit des sociétés (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2709 - Procédure civile I (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2712 - Droit administratif (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML3776 - Responsabilité professionnelle (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • Optional CML courses (6-15 credits, depending on enrollment in upper-year compulsory courses)2
  • 3 compulsory POL course units from : POL3770, POL3771 
  • 6 optional POL course units 

It is strongly recommended to complete at least 6 POL units in the Fall term.


YEAR 5 - (equivalent to the third year of the French Common Law program) - 30 units

Students report to the Faculty of Law and must complete and must complete 24 CML units and 6 POL units: 

  • CML2702 - Droit des sociétés (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2709 - Procédure civile I (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2712 - Droit administratif (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML3776 - Responsabilité professionnelle (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • 3 crédits parmi : POL3559, POL3571, POL3572, POL3574, POL4534, POL4562, POL4550, POL4554, POL4565, POL4566
  • 3 crédits parmi : POL3579, POL3576, POL4573, POL3524, POL3577, POL3523, POL3513, POL4526, POL4527, POL4588

It is strongly recommended to complete the 6 POL units in the Fall term.


6è année d’études - 30 crédits

Students report to the Faculty of Social Sciences and must complete 18 CML units and 12 POL units including:

  • CML2702 - Droit des sociétés (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2709 - Procédure civile I (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML2712 - Droit administratif (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • CML3776 - Responsabilité professionnelle (may be completed in either YEAR 4, YEAR 5 or YEAR 6) (3 units)
  • 3 compulsory POL course units from : POL3580, POL3544, POL3545, POL3564, POL3514, POL3515, POL3562, POL4584, POL4541, POL4778
  • 3 compulsory POL course units from: POL4710, POL 4720, POL 4730, POL4750, POL4930
  • 6 optional POL course units at the 4000 level

  
Notes(s)

  1. A cumulative grade point average of 8.3 or higher is required after the 2nd year (minimum of 60 credits or maximum of 66 credits) to begin the CML courses in 3rd year.
  2. The course CML1506 is offered intensively for 3 weeks in January only.
  3. Students must complete one course which satisfies the oral advocacy requirement during the 4th or 5th or 6th year of the integrated program.
  4. Students must complete one course in which the major paper requirement is fulfilled during the 4th or 5th or 6th year of the integrated program.
  5. Academic regulations relating to the French Common Law Program apply to combined programs. All compulsory CML courses and program requirements for the Common Law portion of the combined program must be completed in French.