Master in Environmental Studies (MES) and Juris Doctor (JD) Joint Program

The only program of its kind in Canada, the MES/JD combines the strengths of the MES program with an JD from one of the nation’s premier law schools – Osgoode Hall.

The program draws upon Osgoode’s strength in environmental, social justice, planning and aboriginal law and the Faculty of Environmental Studies’ leadership in interdisciplinary environmental education. Environmental studies and law provide insights into the ways in which humans define, manage and transform their environments. The joint program encourages integration of these two critical fields and prepares students for a range of opportunities in law, environmental affairs and planning.

Admissions

For admission to the joint program, you must apply to both the Master in Environmental Studies program and the JD program at Osgoode Hall Law School. Indicate your interest in the joint program on both applications. If you are admitted to both the MES and JD programs, you will automatically be admitted to the Joint program.

Sequence of Study

The joint program requires a minimum of 3 2/3 of full-time study, including registration during the fall, winter and summer academic terms.

First year
Full-time registration in the MES program. During the Fall term, you will develop your Plan of Study, setting out how you propose to integrate environmental studies and law.

Second year
Full-time registration in the JD program for the fall and winter terms. Full-time registration in the MES program for the summer term.

Third year
Full-time registration in the JD program for the fall and winter terms. Full-time registration in the MES program for the summer term.

Fourth year
Full-time registration in the JD program for the fall and winter terms to complete the program.

Areas of Concentration

MES/JD students have used a diversity of approaches to integrate their study of environments and the law. Some sample Areas of Concentration include:

• Planning and law: alternative development patterns
• Legal process and popular education
• Accountability in public environmental decision making
• Environmental ethics and the ecology of law
• Women, environments and public policy
• Community economic development for First Nations
• Ecosystems science and Ontario forest policy
• Planning urban sustainability
• Ethics, law and the life sciences industry
• International trade, the environment and sustainable development
• The legal implications of non-regulatory approaches to sustainability

Program details

To graduate from the joint program you must satisfy the requirements of both the MES and the JD degrees. See the complete details of the MES/JD joint program in the Current students section of our website.