Ryerson Law School sets new precedent
New law school will run weeklong boot camps before five of the six semesters to build student skills in technological innovation, finance and coding. Photo credit: Getty Images.
Applications are now open to the Ryerson law school, a new kind of law school.
What’s different about it? Graduates will be tech savvy, as diverse as the city in which they study and champions for ordinary citizens, says Anver Saloojee, interim dean.
“A school starting from scratch has a clean slate, putting technological innovations alongside pedagogical ones,” he explains. “Most law schools are beginning to think about these things. We have the opportunity to start from day 1.”
Theory meets practice
When classes start in September 2020, students will learn from both faculty and practising lawyers co-teaching required courses, such as Contracts and Criminal Law.
“In first-year, all of our students will have faculty-taught lectures with practitioners. In second year, they will also be put into groups of seven and assigned a mentor, a legal practitioner,” explains Saloojee.
“Students will meet with their mentor, either in person or virtually, on a regular basis. Almost like their own quasi firm. This is a significant innovation as most law schools focus on individual study rather than team work.”
Third year will include full-semester professional placements. “The placements are within the Ryerson tradition of bringing together theory and practice, mind and action,” says Saloojee.
Mandatory weeklong boot camps before five of the six semesters will give students skills in such topics as technological innovation, finance and coding.
Another major feature of the new law school is that it is designated as an integrated practice curriculum (IPC). That means students who graduate from it will not be required to article or complete the Law Practice Program in order to be licensed as lawyers. Ryerson and Lakehead University are the only Ontario law schools with this designation.
Financial details
- Domestic students enrolled in Ryerson's JD program are eligible for OSAP
- Full-time tuition fees for fall 2020:
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents - $21,168*
- International students - CDN $31,168*
*Plus ancillary and related fees. Subject to approval by Ryerson’s Board of Governors
Access and diversity
Ryerson’s law school is designed to improve access to justice, and the theme is embedded in such courses as family law, social innovation and the law, and legal innovation.
To strengthen access and diversity in the student population, the university is building a robust scholarship and bursary program. The new school has received support for scholarships from donors in the legal community and is engaging with traditional and non-traditional law school supporters.
Substantial awards — some of which were matched by Ryerson’s PACE program and are renewable — are in place for qualified students with financial need who are from historically underrepresented groups, or who demonstrate an aptitude for business and entrepreneurship.
A gift to create awards for Indigenous law students is matched through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards program.
Applicants will be assessed on a number of factors, not just grades and test scores. The admissions process includes an online interview that will address their experiences and competencies in addition to traditional criteria.
“All of these factors differentiate us from other law schools,” says Saloojee. “The focus is on technology, on equity, diversity and inclusion, and on access to justice. And all of this rests on a sound but innovative academic base.
Ryerson Law is grateful to the inaugural supporters:
- Torys LLP
- McCarthy Tétrault, LLP
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
Questions? Contact Faculty of Law.
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