The thesis-based LLM at the University of Calgary is a research-focused program intended for students passionate about legal scholarship, writing, and contributing to specialized legal fields. Students take required courses in legal research and theory, two elective courses (often tailored to natural resources, energy, or environmental law), and complete a supervised thesis of approximately 30,000–38,000 words. This program is suited for students considering academic, research, or specialized professional careers. It is full-time only and attracts candidates interested both in Canadian and international law. NREEL is the faculty's flagship research area, recognized globally for energy and environmental law expertise, but specialization is optional.