LLM in U.S. Law

This program offers students the flexibility to develop a curriculum in U.S. law topics that suit their particular needs and interests. This degree is designed for students who have received their primary legal education in civil law countries and who plan to return to their home countries within a few years of receiving the LLM degree. It is most suitable for civil-trained lawyers and law students who work in government service, general law practice, or academia.

Prior to Fall 2015, this program was called "U.S. and Comparative Law." The program title was changed; however, the curriculum remains the same. Degrees awarded May 2015 or earlier will have the former name; all degrees awarded thereafter will bear the new name.

CREDIT HOURS

Each student is required to complete a minimum of 24 credits of approved courses; the maximum number of credits permitted is 27.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIRED COURSES

The 24-credit minimum must include the following Core Course:

• Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
• Legal Writing and Research for LLM Students
• Introduction to the U.S. Legal Profession
• At least 6 credits of Content Outline courses
• Students are also urged to take at least one course on a topic of Comparative Law.

Students are required to take Introduction to the U.S. Legal System and Legal Writing and Research for LLM Students during their first semester of study in the LLM program.

A Note Regarding Course Selection for Part-Time Students

The LLM program strives to ensure that there is a wide range of courses available in the evening in each of our LLM areas of specialization and to ensure that students will be able to meet their program requirements within their desired time frame for completion. However, it would be impossible to ensure that any specific course will be offered at a time that is convenient for all students. We encourage you to look at the schedules from past semesters, available on the registrar's website, to get a sense of what courses may be offered in the future (noting, of course, that the schedule varies from one semester to the next).