Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting application procedures

Applicants to the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting (GDLD) must possess:

1. a recognized law degree equivalent to an LL.B. or J.D. that entitles the applicant to practice law in the jurisdiction in which the degree was granted, or
2. approval of the Program Director based on an assessment of other approved or recognized university or college degrees, and a minimum of three years of previous, related work experience in drafting laws, policies, bylaws, regulations, collective agreements, or comparable drafting duties.

Please complete all components of the application process before the deadline. We cannot proceed with your file until the application is complete.

Program applications will be received and reviewed on a continuous admission basis. Students may wish to start taking courses as a non-program student prior to being accepted as a program student.

It is not currently possible for students to transfer credits of graduate study from other universities into the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting program.

How to apply 

• Create an account as a new user or sign in if a returning user and select the Graduate Diploma Legislative Drafting program and Continuous Admission.
• Complete all components of the application and pay the application fee, which will include the following:

1. Transcripts

Official transcripts must be received directly from the accredited institution(s) by mail, email, or MyCreds. They must include the date of graduation, degrees granted, and any completed courses. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted to finalize the application, but official transcripts will be required before admission is considered.

a. Mailing address:

b. Email address: augradapply@athabascau.ca

Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents.

In the case of a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree awarded by a university law school listed in the "Directory of Commonwealth Law Schools", or in the American Bar Association Approved Law Schools list, equivalence will be presumed and no further assessment is necessary.

If further assessment is needed, documentation measuring its equivalence based on Canadian qualifications can be acquired using an evaluation service.

2. International students: English language proficiency

There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.

Non-program students can take up to two (2) courses and are encouraged to apply to become a program student. Acceptance as a non-program student does not, however, guarantee or imply future acceptance as a program student.

Those wishing to enrol as a non-program student must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary education institution and submit an unofficial transcript in support of their non-program application. 

How to apply

Create an account as a new user or sign in if a returning user and select Non-Program- Graduate Diploma Legislative Drafting and Continuous Admission.