Please note:
To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Applied Legal Studies
This master of arts (MA) program is primarily for students intending to practice as Notaries Public in the province of British Columbia. The degree is granted upon the successful completion of the required number of courses and a final examination, and prepares students for admission to notarial practice, subject to further requirements prescribed by the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, and for business and public service.
Ultimately the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia governs the entry of individuals into notarial practice. Conferral of this degree is no guarantee of a position in the Society's post degree professional training programs or in notarial practice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Applicants should regard their satisfaction of the entrance requirements as meaning only that they are eligible for selection. Since there is competition for admission, a regular applicant should have an undergraduate academic average substantially higher than the minimum in order to have a reasonable chance of admission.
To be eligible for selection, an applicant must meet one of the following criteria:
- obtained an undergraduate degree in an approved course of study from a degree granting institution with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or higher, or
- obtained an undergraduate degree from a degree-granting institution with a CGPA of less than 3.0 and have subsequently completed an approved course of study at a degree-granting institution resulting in the award of either a certificate, diploma or other approved qualification with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher, or a recognized professional qualification relevant to notarial practice, such as accounting, or
- practiced as a Notary Public for a period of at least 10 years, be in good standing with the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, and have successfully completed an approved course of study at a degree-granting institution resulting in the award of a certificate, diploma or other approved qualification with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
Application
Potential applicants who wish to enter notarial practice in British Columbia are strongly encouraged to contact the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia before submitting an application to ensure that they are likely to be eligible for admission to practice in the province.
English Language Competence
English is the language of instruction and communication at the university. Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate General Regulations (1.3.3 English Language Competence) for minimum language requirements and further information.
Note that the minimum English language test scores required for this program are higher than the minimum test scores accepted for entry into Graduate Studies at SFU. For details, visit the School of Criminology website.
Program Requirements
This program consists of courses and an examination for a minimum of 33 units.
Students must complete
Designed to give students a systematic knowledge of the workings of Canadian law and the Canadian legal system. Provides a comprehensive discussion of the various principles and schools of jurisprudence, and will canvass the basic legal institutions in Canada. Considers the history of Canadian law, the development of the framework of the Canadian constitution, the Constitution itself, the roles and responsibilities of Canadian courts and the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal profession. Ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrines of precedent and stare decicis, and the key rules and principles of statutory interpretation. Students will also be given a systematic introduction to four substantive areas of law: criminal law, administrative law, family law, and tort law.
Designed to give students a solid foundation in legal research and writing skills. Provides students with an overview of how both legislation and case law are created, including consideration of the basic principles of legal analysis. Proper legal research techniques and strategies will be considered for both primary and secondary legal sources. Consideration will also be given to the many on-line legal research resources. Finally, students will receive instruction in the general principles of legal writing and apply these principles to different types of legal writing including analytical writing and the drafting of legal documents.
Designed to give students a solid grounding in the central themes of legal philosophy. Examines the major schools of jurisprudence. Affords an opportunity to reflect in a disciplined and critical way on the structure and functions of law, legal institutions and systems. Involves an analysis of the nature of legal reasoning and discourse, and looks to the connections between law and morality.
Introduces students to the fundamental principles underlying Contract Law in Canada, and the practical application of such principles in the commercial environment. Students will learn the essential elements of what makes an "enforceable contract" such as offer and acceptance, certainty of terms, form and consideration as well as those things that may well make a contract unenforceable, such as misrepresentation, frustration, duress and privity issues. Warranties, representations, conditions and remedies for breach of contract will also be covered, as will contractual interpretation.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Krishneel Maharaj |
TBD |
Involves the study of basic principles and statutory regimes which govern the institution of Real Property. Topics addressed will include: the legal concept of land, the nature of and rationale for property, transfer of interests in land, registration of title and the nature of the land title system, the acquisition of estates in land, co-ownership of land, and future interests.
Deals with the law relating to vendors and purchasers of real estate, particularly as affected by the substantive law of mortgages, and considers the remedies available to vendors, purchasers, mortgagors and mortgagees, as well as the role and duties of real estate agents. Also deals with residential and commercial tenancies.
Provides an overview of the law of succession and familiarizes students with the principles necessary to competently advise clients about the transfer of property on death and to draft a will that meets the client's objectives. Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements as planning tools will be examined.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Margaret Hall Lilian Cazacu |
TBD |
Designed to give students a detailed understanding of key topics in applied legal studies, with a particular emphasis upon areas of low and practice that are of special interest to Notaries Public. Topics may change from year to year and may vary by in instructor but it is anticipated that topics will include, the law of agency; current issues in tax law; the law affecting business/not for profit incorporation, and business associations.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Graeme Bowbrick |
TBD |
Builds on the theoretical understanding students have by exploring how the legal advisor assists clients in effectively dealing with their issues. Topics range from the purpose of legal professionals to developing sustainable strategies for the operation of a legal practice.
and an examination
A final examination on core subjects, which will normally occur towards the end of the student's fourth term in the program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
NOTE: Those who do not wish notary public accreditation, or who are currently practicing notaries, may be permitted to substitute up to nine units of courses with the approval of the associate director responsible for criminology graduate programs. Only one of these courses may be a directed readings course.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in four terms. It is possible to complete the program on a part-time basis over a longer period. It should be noted, however, that some courses must be taken sequentially, and that all the requirements for the degree must be completed within three years. Students wishing to complete the program on a part-time basis should contact the associate director responsible for the school's graduate programs for further information.
Other Information
The courses taught in the first fall term usually employ a mixed mode of delivery where students attend campus for up to two weeks at the start of the term. Weeks 3 through 12 are delivered online through the Centre for Online and Distance Education. Spring term courses are also delivered online with a short period of on-campus instruction at the beginning of the term. Students attend campus for a short period of instruction at the beginning of the summer intersession followed by online instruction (usually from early May to late June). The final capstone course in the fall term follows the same mixed delivery mode. Students also complete a final examination (normally at the end of the fourth term) that shows a mastery of the depth and breadth of key aspects of the program's subject matter.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.