As the registration deadline approaches for online courses at Queen’s University, spots in some courses are becoming increasingly rare. For the first time in the school’s history, Queen’s Law is offering Aboriginal, Workplace and Corporate law at the undergraduate level – and the demand has been intense. 

“We’ve spent a lot of time designing these courses to give undergraduate students in any program an in-depth and engaging introduction to these areas of law, and we’re thrilled with the response,” says Dirk Rodenburg, Queen’s Law Director of Undergraduate and Professional Programs. “Taught by experts in the Queen’s Law faculty, these courses really give students a chance to go ‘inside the law,’ and learn how to read, interpret and use legal reasoning in order to analyze and respond to some of the big issues in each area.” 

Together, all four courses form a novel initiative for the Faculty: the Certificate in Law. Now approved by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, the Certificate is unique in Canada. “This is the only way for an undergraduate student – at Queen’s, or anywhere in Canada – to earn this kind of accreditation from a law school,” Rodenburg says. “While demand has been very strong at Queen’s, the fact that these courses are available online means we’ll be seeing considerable interest from across the country as we move forward.” 

The Certificate courses all integrate research-validated instructional approaches. “Our three new courses have all been developed by very experienced course developers working directly with our faculty,” Rodenburg says. “It’s a fantastic team – very focused on delivering value and concrete learning outcomes, but also intensely engaged with the latest technology and methods for online learning.” 

LAW-201, the flagship course, is also unique in its approach. “We have one of the best law faculties in Canada,” Rodenburg says, “so it made sense to use an ‘anthology’ approach to the development of this overview course. When you have someone of Nick Bala’s stature available to teach the fundamentals of Family Law, or Erik Knutsen willing to take on Torts … it’s an incredible opportunity for undergraduate students to learn from some of the most recognized names in Canadian law.” 

Before online registration ends on May 7, Rodenburg anticipates all classes will be at capacity. “A four-course, 12-credit Certificate in Law, awarded by one of Canada’s most prestigious law schools, is something that will appeal to undergraduate students across all disciplines, including those interested in entrepreneurship, social justice and an eventual career in law,” he says. “As we continue to offer these courses, as well as the Certificate, it’s clear that the demand for this kind of education, and accreditation, will continue to grow.”