Doctor in Law
A thirst for knowledge and a passion for research
A doctoral degree is, essentially, an in-depth research program. Educational activities are oriented towards developing the student’s thesis project and students benefit from the skills of specialists from all major areas of law. Project orientation, provided jointly by two professors, allows the student to call upon complementary expert resources.
Doctoral candidates must complete the mandatory courses, as well as comprehensive written and oral exams, before writing a thesis on the subject of their choice.
The writing of the thesis will develop the student’s ability to design and execute a large-scale research project, which will positively contribute to the development of the legal discipline. It will also foster the student’s capacity to share research results in a clear, logical and persuasive manner.
General option
The Doctor in Law, general option, offers training in legal research. Writing a thesis develops the ability to design and implement a major research project that makes an original contribution to the development of the field of law. Its objective is also to develop the student’s ability to present the results of their research in a clear, logical and persuasive manner.
- 90-credit program
- 81 credits for research and thesis
- 6 credits = 2 required courses
- 3 credits of optional courses
Option Innovation, science, technology and law
The Faculty of law of the Université de Montréal has a doctoral option Innovation, science, technology and law as part of its doctoral degree in law. This option brings together first-rate faculty members and prestigious foreign academic partners.
I. Objective
The general objective of the option is to enable students to acquire specialized knowledge and expertise regarding the role of law in the promotion, governance, and regulation of innovation, science and new technologies in a comparative law perspective that is attuned to emerging economies.
II. Structure
A solid curriculum blending theoretical and applied perspectives
The curriculum includes four (4) semesters of courses that will enable students to think about the legal, regulatory, and ethical issues concerning innovation in diverse fields, including biotechnologies and medicine, information technology and computer science, natural resources and the environment.
The courses are taught in French and English by first-rate professors and part-time faculty of practicing lawyers relying on approaches blending theoretical and applied perspectives. In addition, students have the opportunity to conduct applied research or make an internship in public or private organizations in Canada or abroad.
A comparative law thesis
Building on the knowledge acquired in the courses, students will write a doctoral dissertation that provides a significant contribution to legal scholarship. A defining characteristic of the dissertation will be the use of comparative law to support the analysis.
III. Internationalization
A key feature of the doctoral option is its strong international dimensions. Indeed, it brings together reputable academic partners (including Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico)) whose professors will participate to the curriculum. Each year, one of the academic partners will host a Summer school for the students of the program. Moreover, visiting professors will teach in the program in Montréal, further contributing to the international and comparative law perspectives.
IV. From the Thesis to the Career
The solid foundation in legal reasoning with respect to issues pertaining to innovation, science, and technology, coupled with the doctoral dissertation, will provide students with a unique profile that will allow them to contemplate careers in academia, public policy, and consulting in public and private organizations.
For further information and to register :
Joint Doctor in Law, Cotutelle
Two universities, one degree
In a joint doctoral degree, the Université de Montréal, as well as an international educational institution, provides training and support for the doctoral student. In addition to enriching the research process, the joint PhD—or cotutelle—program provides the candidate with the support of two research directors working in tandem.
A joint Doctoral in law thesis program can be undertaken at the Université de Montréal, in conjunction with a parner university in France, Belgium or Germany. This includes all French universities, as well as Belgium’s Université libre de Bruxelles, Leuven’s Université catholique de Louvain, the Université de Liège and the Free University of Berlin.
Visit the website of the Études supérieures et postdoctorales (ESP) for a more complete description of the program
