The program leading to the degree of Juris Doctor (JD) requires admission as a full-time student for three years or as a half-time student for six years. The structure of this program is based on a compulsory first year and several required courses in upper years.
Students must also complete a research paper course and one course from a group of transnational law courses. See the Forms and Policies section of our website for a definition of each requirement.
Each student must take a minimum of 29 credits and a maximum of 32 credits per year with a minimum of 13 credits and a maximum of 18 credits in each term. The maximum requirements may be varied by the Faculty Council or its delegate in individual cases.
First-Year Required Courses
Windsor Law students receive introductory instruction in fundamental areas, problems and principles of law through a set of mandatory courses. These include:
- Property Law
- Contracts Law
- Access to Justice
- Criminal Law
- Legal Writing and Research
- Constitutional Law
- Indigenous Legal Orders
First year Windsor Law students also take a course that introduces essential perspectives on Access to Justice. Finally, students take an intensive skills-based course, the Windsor Legal Practice Simulation. This intensive introduces students to core elements of client interviewing, ethics-in-practice, problem analysis, and negotiation.
Second-Year Required Courses
2L students must take Civil Procedure and Torts in second year. Students should prioritize enrolling in these courses on their registration priority days.
The courses may be taken in either the fall or the winter semester, dependent upon course scheduling.
Third-Year Required Courses: CHANGE – NEW FOR 2026-2027
3L students must take Administrative Law (LAWG-5852) and The Legal Professions (LAWG-5939) in 3L. Students should prioritize enrolling in these courses on their registration priority days.
Please note that any 2L students who register for either of these courses will be removed from them.
*Any student in 3L in 2026-2027 who has already taken Administrative Law or The Legal Professions does not need to take them again.