Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting

At a glance

Credential: graduate diploma
Credits: 18
Next start: monthly

Learn how to write complex legislative text in clear, plain language with Athabasca University’s online Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting program.

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About Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting

Athabasca University's Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting is an online program designed to equip you with the skills to write clear, effective legislative text. The curriculum delves deep into the principles of legislative drafting in common law jurisdictions, covering everything from analyzing drafting instructions to ensuring constitutional and human rights compliance. Whether you're starting your career as legislative counsel or looking to enhance your existing drafting knowledge and skills, this program offers a comprehensive education that's applicable across various sectors, from governmental to private legal practice and non-governmental organizations. It can also serve as a steppingstone towards a master's degree.

Admission requirements

To apply to this program, you must have a recognized law degree equivalent to an LL.B. or J.D., or approval of the program coordinator.

See full Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting admission requirements

Program details

Overview

The program provides an in-depth analysis of the principles underlying legislative drafting in common law jurisdictions and a thorough introduction to sound drafting practice. The program materials are relevant to all jurisdictions using the parliamentary system and its legislative processes.

The diploma will enable students to undertake their own drafting duties with greater skill and confidence. Students will learn practical skills and theory through an in-depth analysis of legislative drafting principles in common law jurisdictions and a thorough introduction to sound drafting practice. Topics include:

analyzing drafting instructions
determining drafting objectives and creating legislative outlines
structuring and drafting legislation
ensuring legislation is consistent within its constitutional and human rights contexts
preparing preliminary and final provisions and amending legislation
drafting subsidiary legislation

You will graduate ready to take on drafting duties with greater skill and confidence.

Why take the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting?

The Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting is designed to serve your needs, whether you're:

hoping to enter a career in drafting as legislative counsel
starting your drafting career
wishing to enhance or refresh your drafting knowledge and skills
working with legislation in another capacity

The program materials are relevant to all jurisdictions using the parliamentary system with its legislative processes and to corporate, union, municipal, and other non-governmental agencies involved in preparing regulations, bylaws, and other similar documents of a legislative nature.

Completing the program also puts you on your way to a master's degree.

The Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting is a 18-credit online graduate program. You must complete the entire program through Athabasca University.

The Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting program has continuous admission - you can apply at any time. All courses are individualized study and begin on the first day of every month, year-round.

Application deadlines and start dates

Application deadline	Start date
n/a	No set start date

Routes and options

Ladder to a degree

All your Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting credits fully transfer into a Master of Laws (Legislative Drafting) degree at Cavehill Barbardos Campus of The University of the West Indies or AU's Master of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Laddering routes for Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 1.5 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace to complete your requirements within 5 years.

The expected normal completion time is 2.5 years or less.

Tuition and fees

A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

program application and admission fees
Application fees
Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies:	$197
Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable)	$255
Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once and waived if previously an AU student:	$124

fees for student living in Canada and without
Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)
Students living in Canada	$1,975¹
Students living outside Canada	$2,091¹
LGST 600 (in Canada)	$2,581
LGST 600 (outside Canada)	$2,697

¹Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting (GDLD) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $167 and Course Materials fee of $37 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.

Estimated program tuition cost (2024-2025):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $10,481 ($1,975 x 4, three-credit course equivalents, plus $2,581 for LGST 600 (6-credits). AUGSA, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fees are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.

other fees
Other fees
Course extension fee:	$334
Continuation Fee	$136
Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students)	$250/course
AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit included in tuition)	$14
Course withdrawal processing fee²:	$453

²The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course Withdrawal.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Courses

In this program, you'll engage in a series of required courses that provide a strong foundation in legislative drafting, from understanding its basics to mastering the nuances of legislative structure and style. You'll also complete a project course that allows you to apply your knowledge in a practical setting, ensuring you graduate with both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting.

Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program.

Program regulations

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program.

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Career options

Upon completing the Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, you'll be well-equipped to enter or advance in careers that involve creating or working with legislative documents, such as roles in government, law firms, corporate legal departments, and non-governmental organizations. This credential could enhance your employability or advance your career in positions in legislative drafting, regulation formulation, and policy analysis, providing you with greater skill and confidence in your duties.

Some careers may include:

legislative counsel or legislative clerk
city clerk or legal officer
policy analyst
legal advisor
regulatory affairs specialist
corporate legal counsel
compliance officer
government relations specialist
municipal legal advisor
contract manager
public affairs consultant

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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