Queen’s Law and Smith School of Business have launched a new combined program this year, positioning the first cohort of students to be key players in corporate law. Five Commerce students are now the first BCom/JD students. 

“It’s three years of Commerce and three years of JD studies, with one semester of overlap between the two,” says Aimee Burtch, Queen’s Law recruitment and admissions manager. “So the five students in the combined program right now are first-year law students set to graduate with both degrees in only six years – that’s one year earlier than if they took each program separately.”

The program allows students to merge their study of business with the study of law, broadening their academic background and enriching their educational experience. 

Diane Wu, Com’18/Law’19, is in the program and says she was drawn to it as soon as the opportunity arose. “I always knew I wanted to go to law school, and in my second year I was thinking about writing the LSAT, and at some point … an email went out about this program and I said, ‘Now I have to do this.’”

She says a third year business law course in undergrad also piqued her interest in that field. 

“It’s a little overwhelming. Everyone’s high-caliber, and one thing I realized is that I don’t know how to take notes on cases!”

Wu says while the learning curve is challenging, the opportunity is rewarding. Being able to get here quicker – “and shave off a year of tuition,” she adds – is worth it.

Any third-year commerce student can apply, and there is no application fee. The regular standards of admission for law school still apply – Queen’s will evaluate LSAT scores, academic records, extracurricular activities, letters of reference and personal statements. 

Daniel Baum, Com’18/Law’19, says he chose the program both because he wanted to stay at Queen’s and for the ability to market his skills to future employers.

“I’m still considering whether I will actually practice corporate law, but law school teaches you a way to think that you can also use in the business world,” Baum says. “There are a lot of similarities between the skills you need in business and the skills you need in law school.

“Let me put it this way: it didn’t close any doors, but it sure will open a lot of them.”

For more information about program structure and admissions, visit our BCom/JD web page. 

By Jeremy Mutton