BA, iBA offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Dive into the critical questions that shape our legal and moral world with York’s Philosophy of Law program. Build strong skills in reasoning, argumentation, and communication while exploring law, legal reasoning, constitutions, punishment, individual liberty, and international law. Examine the moral and political values that underpin legal institutions and fuel some of society’s most heated debates. Ideal for students aiming for careers in law, public policy, or law-related professions; this program develops your ability to think critically and creatively about legal systems and their societal impacts. Gain hands-on experience through co-op placements, student-led initiatives like Philosophia, and York’s undergraduate philosophy journal, The Oracle, while engaging with a community passionate about law, ethics, and justice.
Career Options in Philosophy of Law
Here are just some of the career options related to this major. As all degrees offer transferable skills, some jobs are more closely linked to this field, than others. Check Canada’s Job Bank for regional requirements.
- Academic Researcher / Philosophy of Law
- Advocacy Officer
- Arbitrator / Mediator
- Attorney / Lawyer (after law school)
- Business Ethics Consultant
- Civil Rights Advocate
- Clerical / Legal Assistant
- Compliance Analyst
- Constitutional Advisor
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officer
- Court Clerk
- Criminal Justice Policy Analyst
- Cultural Policy Advisor
- Data Ethics Specialist
- Diplomatic Service / Foreign Affairs Officer
- Editor for Legal or Philosophy Publications
- Election Officer / Electoral Analyst
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Ethics Board Member
- Government Policy Analyst
- Human Rights Officer
- Immigration Policy Specialist
- Intellectual Property Consultant
- International Law Analyst
- Journalist / Legal Affairs Reporter
- Judge (after law school)
- Legal Consultant
- Legislative Assistant
- Lobbyist / Policy Advocate
- Mediator for NGOs or Corporations
- Nonprofit Program Manager
- Parliamentary Researcher
- Political Analyst
- Public Defender (after law school)
- Public Policy Advisor
- Social Justice Advocate
- Think Tank Researcher
- University Professor (Philosophy or Law)
- Writer / Author (legal or ethics-focused publications)
- Youth Rights Advocate
Some career choices may require further education, such as graduate studies or professional courses and exams. For detailed career descriptions and specific requirements, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
Entry-Level Positions in Philosophy of Law
An undergraduate degree is typically sufficient for these positions, though some locations may require additional qualifications. For region-specific information, please check Canada’s Job Bank.
- Advocacy Officer
- Arbitrator / Mediator Assistant
- Business Ethics Coordinator
- Civil Rights Assistant
- Compliance Assistant
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Coordinator
- Court Clerk
- Data Ethics Assistant
- Editorial Assistant (legal or philosophy publications)
- Election Officer / Electoral Assistant
- Government Policy Assistant
- Human Rights Assistant
- Immigration Policy Assistant
- Legislative Assistant
- Lobbying / Policy Advocacy Assistant
- Nonprofit Program Assistant
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant
- Public Policy Assistant
- Social Justice Program Coordinator
- Youth Rights Advocate
For career descriptions, visit Canada’s Job Bank. Some occupations may also be found on Career Cruising; for login information, navigate to the Career Centre’s homepage in Experience York.
Skills Developed through a Degree in Philosophy of Law
Core Skills
- Critical thinking: Analyze complex legal and ethical issues
- Logical reasoning: Construct and evaluate sound arguments
- Ethical reasoning: Assess moral implications of laws
- Legal interpretation: Understand constitutions and statutes
- Problem-solving: Address dilemmas in law and policy
- Research skills: Investigate legal and philosophical questions
- Knowledge of law and legal institutions: Grasp structure and function of courts, legislatures, and legal systems
- Knowledge of moral and political philosophy: Understand values underlying legal debates
Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills
- Written communication: Draft reports and policy analyses
- Oral communication: Present ideas clearly and persuasively
- Argumentation: Develop and defend positions effectively
- Data analysis: Interpret legal and policy information
- Information organization: Manage research and case materials
- Policy documentation: Summarize laws, regulations, and findings
Management and Teamwork Skills
- Collaboration: Work effectively in group projects or case studies
- Project coordination: Plan and execute research or initiatives
- Leadership: Guide discussions or small teams in debates/projects
- Decision-making: Balance ethical, legal, and practical considerations
- Negotiation: Engage in mediated discussions or conflict resolution
- Event organization: Participate in student associations or journal projects
Professional Associations
Professional associations offer valuable insights into qualifications, industry trends, and career opportunities. They provide networking events, workshops, mentorship programs, and internships, as well as job boards and career development resources. Additionally, some associations offer professional licensing and regulatory oversight.
- Canadian Association for Legal Ethics (CALE / ACEJ): A national association of academics, lawyers, and judges focused on discussion and scholarship in legal ethics and professionalism.
- Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA): A national civil rights organization advocating for constitutional rights, freedoms, and democratic protections in Canada.
- Canadian Bar Association (CBA): The largest national association for legal professionals; offers networking, resources, and insights into law practice and policy debates.
- Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC): The national coordinating body for provincial law societies that regulates legal profession standards and law‑related trends.
- Law Union of Ontario: A progressive legal society of lawyers, students, and workers focused on social justice, anti‑oppression, and democratizing legal practice.