Five-year strategic plan covers experiential learning, expanding opportunities beyond JD
The University of Alberta Faculty of Law’s new strategic plan for the next five years focuses on serving its students, supporting faculty members and staff, serving society, advancing its commitment to truth and reconciliation, and collaborating with alumni, donors, and the legal community.
“Above all, this plan is a collective call to action,” said Fiona Kelly, the law school’s dean, in a news release. “Its success depends on the energy, creativity, and dedication of our entire community.”
Kelly emphasized the law school’s commitment to serving as “a true home for our community, a place where students, faculty, staff, alumni and community and industry partners feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.”
"Our new strategic plan charts our path forward and our alumni community, industry partners, and donors will walk alongside us,” added Raishel Madsen, the faculty’s assistant dean of development, in the news release. “The real work comes as we seek to deliver on these bold ambitions.”
The law school invited students, faculty, alumni, and members of the legal community to attend the launch of the strategic plan in the David R. Percy Lounge on Feb. 11 from 4:30–7:00 p.m.
The law school highlighted three planned changes over the next five years.
Experiential learning
The law school shared that it will increase the quality and quantity of experiential learning offerings to provide innovative and rigorous legal education and help its students pursue fulfilling careers.
The law school’s existing experiential learning courses include the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic and the mooting program.
“Legal practice doesn’t only happen in law offices,” said Allison Fieldberg, leader of the law school’s experiential learning program, in the news release. “Experiential learning lets students close the gap between theory and the messiness of the real world.”
New and expanded offerings
To expand opportunities for students beyond the JD program, the law school explained that it plans to:
- Increase the cohort size of the graduate program
- Add specialized learning opportunities, including an online graduate certificate in Indigenous law engagement
- Offer educational opportunities to explain the Canadian legal system for members of the community
The law school will introduce LAW 201 (Foundations of Canadian Law) and LAW 202 (Law and the Protection of Rights), two online undergraduate courses available in fall 2026 and winter 2027, respectively.
Targeting the university’s undergraduate students, students from other universities, and members of the community, these two courses will be part of a new four-course undergraduate certificate in law for non-law students.
Anna Priemaza, course designer and instructor, noted society’s desire to better comprehend how the Canadian legal system operates, given all the recent news revolving around legal issues.
“For example, it can be difficult to debate the use of the notwithstanding clause if you're not confident in what the notwithstanding clause does or where it comes from,” Priemaza said in the news release. “These courses aim to provide that knowledge for those who do not want to go to law school, or those who aim to go to law school but are not at that stage yet.”
New clinics
To supplement its existing community partnerships, the law school shared its plan to launch clinics responding to areas of need. The law school’s existing community service initiatives include the Low Income Individuals and the Law Clinic and Student Legal Services.
