In June 2010, the college’s first law degree designation was changed from Bachelor of Laws (LLB) to Juris Doctor (JD) by approval of University Council at USask. This followed a thorough consultation process, which included a student vote, alumni survey and Faculty Council vote, leading to the recommendation by our College of Law Faculty Council “that the first-level professional degree in law be designated as a JD (Juris Doctor) instead of an LLB, and that all past recipients of the LLB be offered the opportunity to choose to switch their LLB to a JD.”
Apply for Designation Change
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) alumni are able to request a conversion of a LLB to a JD through one of two ways:
- Order online by going to the convocation website and selecting Order a Parchment Replacement Online
NOTE: When ordering a parchment online, alumni will be able to choose “Converting Bachelor of Laws (LLB) to a Juris Doctor (JD)”. This way, payment for the order can be made online with credit card.
- Order with the updated Parchment Replacement form, found here: https://students.usask.ca/forms.php
NOTE: When completing this form, under the General Information section, please select “Convert Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree to a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree” as the Reason for Replacement. If requesting the conversion with this form, you will need to send the form by mail with a cheque or money order to the Convocation Office. Or, you may bring the form to Student Central and provide payment there. These instructions are also on the updated Parchment Replacement form.
Majority Support
Support for the change in the law degree designation was substantial, with 90 per cent of students and 81 per cent of alumni surveyed in favour. Starting with 2010, students graduating from our college are awarded the JD designation. Additionally, more than 76 per cent of alumni have indicated that they will take advantage of the opportunity to switch to the JD designation.
Why the Change?
The JD designation is felt by many to better represent the fact that law degrees in Canada are almost always second degrees. As well, for Canadian law graduates there is a competitive advantage to the JD title, seen more as a professional degree, over the LLB title, more likely to be perceived as an undergraduate degree.