Information about 1L self-registration is circulated late-June to your USask email.

Before you register:

• Ensure have reviewed the requirements above.
• Review the College of Law exam schedule to ensure that your exam dates do not conflict. Exam information will not be available in PAWS until later in the fall.
• Note that all courses may not be offered every year or every term. For a list of course offerings in each year, please consult the class search website. The college will ensure that mandatory courses are offered so that students can meet course requirements.

Full instructions for class registration can be found on the USask Classes and Registration page.

Register through the registration channel in PAWS

For complete details, students may consult the University Policies in conjunction with the college’s Academic Regulations, with the latter taking priority wherever they modify or supplement the USask regulations or policies.

Attendance

Students are required to attend classes in courses in which they are registered. Persistent failure to attend may lead to exclusion from their examinations or assessment in their courses.

Leaves of absence, withdrawals and part time studies

After completing first year, a leave of absence of up to two years is permitted upon notifying the Associate Dean Academic before the add-drop deadline for the term (approximately 2 weeks into the term). In other circumstances, students wishing to take a leave of absence requires permission from the Associate Dean Academic.

A student who is taking fewer than 15 credit units per term will be considered a part-time student for college purposes. Students wishing to pursue part time studies must get permission from the Associate Dean Academic. Students should keep in mind that they ordinarily must complete the JD requirements within six years in order to receive their degree. Students are ordinarily required to complete their first year studies within two years.

Part time students who have completed some, but not all, of their first year courses may, with advance permission of the Associate Dean Academic, be able to take upper year courses in some circumstances.

Students who withdraw from the JD program can only return:

1. First-year students: by applying for re-admission in competition with other students applying for admission in that year
2. Upper-year students: with permission of the faculty 

Outside courses

Students may be permitted to take 6 credit units through another USask college during upper years for credit toward their JD. The course(s) must be approved, in advance, by the Associate Dean Academic. Applications are assessed from the standpoint of how the outside senior-level course contributes to the applicant's understanding of the law. 

Letters of permission to study at another law College are granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

To go on an exchange for credit, students must get permission from the Associate Dean Academic.  More information on exchanges is available through the Associate Dean Academic’s office.

To receive credit for outside courses, certain grades will need to be achieved, as required in the college’s Academic Regulations.

Overload courses

In special cases, a student may be given permission to undertake a program involving a load in excess of 15 credit units. Students wishing to take more than 15 credit units, whether or not they wish to get credit toward their JD degree and including those in the JD/MBA program, should contact the Associate Dean Academic in advance.

Grades

Grades are released only after the Board of Examiners has approved the final grades, several weeks after exams have ended. 

Please note that the College of Law has a 10 day time limit to appeal grades. Students are normally emailed detailed instructions about how to appeal grades at the end of each term.

More information on grades can be found within the Academic Regulations and under Grade Distributions and Guidelines.

Standards for promotion, academic difficulty & supplemental work

To be promoted to second-year, students must obtain a 64 per cent average, with no F's and must have at least 60 per cent in the Legal Research and Writing requirement (in which they must have completed all components).

To be promoted within the upper-year program, students need a 64 per cent average each year and meet the Course Requirements.

Note that averages are calculated at the end of the academic year (that is, after winter term), and pass/fail courses and courses outside the college are not included in the calculation. Students should take this into consideration when enrolling in outside courses or pass/fail courses or practicums.

Students are only entitled to supplemental work if their average at the end of the year is between 60 and 64 per cent or if their average is over 60 per cent and they have a grade of F. Students may only do supplemental work in up to 13 credit units, and only in courses in which the students received less than 64 per cent.

Students who do not meet the 64 per cent threshold after completing supplemental work to which they are entitled will have their case considered by the Board of Examiners, and may be required to discontinue.

Desired graduate attributes

In January 2013, the faculty of the College of Law adopted a statement of the qualities they aim for JD graduates to be able to demonstrate. Read the statement here.

Questions? Contact us.

Associate Dean Academic
306-966-5880
 ada.law@usask.ca

University of Saskatchewan examination regulations will apply to all students registered in the College of Law, and are supplemented by the College of Law's Academic Regulations. These regulations include information on the college's deferred examination policy and accommodations available in addition to those provided by Access and Equity Services.

Grading guidelines

Grading Guidelines effective July 1, 2016

Distribution of averages

Distribution of Averages  2023-2024

Grade distributions

Distribution of Grades in Term 2 23-24 Law Courses

• Grade distribution archive

Connecting with the College of Law through PAWS, email and social media is essential for keeping yourself informed and building connections with the services and people who are here to help you.

For more details and instructions on IT services provided by the University of Saskatchewan, visit https://www.usask.ca/ict/guides/student-guide.php . 

PAWS is the recommended way for students to access their email. It is easy to use and very accessible. It also allows you to organize your calendars, contacts, and tasks. 

To access your email in PAWS: 

1. Log in to paws.usask.ca using your NSID and password. 
2. Select the Email and Calendar link in the left sidebar. 

3. Your email will open as an Outlook Web App in a separate window. 

You have the choice to access three wireless network services at USask: an internal network service, a guest/conference network service, and a public service. Before you can access a network, you will need to configure your laptop or devices (see link in 'getting started'). 

The Microsoft Student Advantage program allows students in all colleges at USask to download and install the latest Microsoft Office software on up to five computers at no cost. This includes full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and other titles. 

There are two printers available for student use at the College of Law. One is in the law library, the other is in the Dentons Canada LLP Student Lounge. Set-up instructions are posted on the printers. 

Like, follow and share on our social media to stay connected:

@Usasklaw

 facebook.com/Usasklaw

All first-year applicants are automatically considered for most entrance scholarships upon acceptance. 

• First-year entrance scholarships

Academic-based scholarships

In August of each year, students entering second and third year are considered for College of Law Continuing Scholarships. These are based on the previous year(s) academic performance. You will be notified at your NSID@mail.usask.ca email in mid-late August if you are successful.

Honours to graduating students

The third-year graduating student with the highest overall GPA will receive the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Gold Medal and the Thomas Dowrick Brown Prize (most distinguished graduate). The graduating student with the second highest overall GPA will receive the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Silver Medal and the Ron Fritz Prize in Law. The graduating student with the third highest overall GPA will receive the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Bronze Medal. Students who elect to transfer credits in their third year are ineligible.  

Application-based scholarships/awards

A call for applications will go out via PAWS Announcements and to your NSID@usask.ca email in early-mid fall (Term 1) and early-mid winter (Term 2) inviting you to apply for a variety of scholarships/awards. Eligibility, amount and other details will be included in the call. These opportunities are frequently, but not exclusively, based on one’s volunteerism and involvement in the community/law school.

Bursaries

A call for applications will go out via PAWS Announcements and to your NSID@usask.ca in early-mid fall (term 1) and early-mid winter (term 2). All bursaries are based on financial need so completion of a Financial Needs Calculator will be required. Details will be conveyed in the calls for application.

Course prizes

Automatically awarded in May to students who: a) achieve the highest grade in a course with a prize (not all law classes have an assigned prize); or b) have the highest blended average in one or more courses in a subject area.

Information about emergency financial assistance is available to students through the University of Saskatchewan, contact Student Central.

The College of Law also operates an emergency funding program for College of Law students. Students in need are encouraged to contact:

Associate Dean, Academic 
College of Law, University of Saskatchewan 
306-966-7908 
 ada.law@usask.ca