THUNDER BAY — For the first time ever in Canada, first-year law students are getting a chance to do most of their learning online.
Lakehead University's Bora Laskin faculty of law will launch the 1L Online Intensive program in the upcoming 2024 academic year, opening spots to an additional 25 students in the full-time Juris Doctor program.
Members of the new cohort will pursue their first year of law school through a combination of online learning and four weeks of intensive, in-person land-based learning.
They will complete their second and third years in Thunder Bay, alongside their classmates who completed their first year in person.
"At the Bora Laskin faculty of law, we take great pride in our integrated practice curriculum and our emphasis on Indigenous and Aboriginal law," said dean Jula Hughes. "This cohort will have the unique opportunity to actively engage with these pivotal elements through the new program."
In the first week of studies, the students will join their in-person peers for a blend of orientation and immersive land-based experiences while learning the foundations of Canadian law.
In week two, they'll engage in exclusive land-based learning in the Thunder Bay area, after which they'll continue the remainder of the semester online from the comfort of their homes.
When the winter semester begins, the cohort will return to Thunder Bay for two weeks for more land-based learning and assignments under the integrated practice curriculum, including through interactions with Indigenous communities and partners.
"We believe this exceptional opportunity offers an unparalleled legal education experience, embracing both tradition and innovation," Hughes said.
She said the law school welcomes applications who are enthusiastic about exploring this alternate path to legal education.
More details about the program and the admissions process are available online.
