DePaul’s LLM in Intellectual Property Law is regarded as one of the most extensive programs in the country, and the Center for Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology (CIPLIT®), which oversees the program, is an innovative leader in the field. With numerous course offerings, the program addresses the need for specialized training in intellectual property and information technology law.
Courses must be selected from the LLM in Intellectual Property courses. Candidates must complete three required courses and five electives. The LLM program may be completed on either a full- or part-time basis but must be completed within five years.
| Program Requirements | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 9 |
| Elective Requirements | 15 |
| Total hours required | 24 |
Learning Outcomes
- Domestic students will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal rules and policies in the student's area of specialization.
- Domestic students will be able to conduct advanced legal research and analysis in the student's area of specialization.
- International students will be able to identify structures of the U.S. legal system and government institutions.
- International students will be able to demonstrating understanding of how a common law system operates in a constitutional democracy.
- International students will be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal rules and policies in the student's area of specialization.
- International students will be able to identify and apply relevant legal authority.
- International students will be able to communication clearly in speech and writing.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Laws program begins with an orientation that introduces graduate students to DePaul's faculty, staff, library, computer and research facilities. Students who received legal training outside the United States also will participate in a special course introducing them to the Socratic teaching method, the differences between civil and common law systems, and the foundations of the U.S. legal system.
To earn the LLM in Intellectual Property Law, a student must complete 24 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. A summer term is counted as a semester for this purpose. Students who complete 24 credit hours with a GPA below the 2.0 GPA required to earn the degree will not be permitted to continue taking classes to improve their GPA. A student is automatically dismissed if he or she has a cumulative GPA below 2.0 for any three consecutive semesters.
The LLM program may be completed on either a full- or part-time basis but it must be completed within five years. With the exception of students admitted to and enrolled in the joint JD/LLM program, credits earned as part of the JD program do not count toward the LLM degree. In addition, no credit is given for law courses taken before a student is admitted to and enrolled in the LLM program.
Course Requirements
Courses must be selected from the LLM in Intellectual Property Law courses listed below.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 250 | SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR (approved topic) | 3 |
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| PATENT LAW | ||
| COPYRIGHT LAW | ||
| TRADEMARK & UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| INTERNET LAW | ||
| DATA PRIVACY LAW: US & EU | ||
| CYBERSECURITY LAW: LITIGATION AND NEGOTIATION | ||
Additional Required Courses for International Lawyers
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 322 | INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEMS | 3 |
| LAW 556 | INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL WRITING AND RESEARCH | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PATENT & TRADEMARK SEARCHING | ||
| SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR (Advanced Intellectual Property; Advanced Patents; Cultural Heritage; or other approved topic) | ||
| TRADEMARK & UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN LAW (IP Valuation in Tech, Health, and Other Industries; other approved topic) | ||
| MUSIC LAW | ||
or LAW 293 | MUSIC TRANSACTIONS: REPRESENTING TALENT | |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOR CORPORATE TRANSACTIONAL LAWYERS | ||
| INTERNET LAW | ||
| COPYRIGHT LAW | ||
| ENTERTAINMENT LAW | ||
| ANTITRUST | ||
or LAW 508 | ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | |
| INDEPENDENT STUDY (approved topic) | ||
| SPORTS LAW | ||
| PATENT LAW | ||
| INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | ||
| LEGAL DRAFTING (Art Market Transactions; IP Licensing & Negotiations; Trademark & Copyright; Trademark & Patent; Patents; or other approved topic) | ||
| LITIGATION STRATEGY: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | ||
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SURVEY | ||
| EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM (approved placement in IP/IT) | ||
| EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (in conjunction with approved LAW 524 placement above) | ||
| ART AND THE LAW | ||
| FOOD AND DRUG LAW | ||
| DATA PRIVACY LAW: US & EU | ||
| CYBERSECURITY LAW: LITIGATION AND NEGOTIATION | ||
| Students may count one of the following courses offered through CDM: | ||
| INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT | ||
| DISASTER RECOVERY THEORY STRATEGIES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING | ||
| LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | ||
| IT AUDITING | ||