The LLM in International Law provides an intensive course of study that emphasizes both the theoretical foundations and practical skills required for international legal practice. The program supports advanced study of international law and its interaction with the laws of the United States and other countries.
The program offers concentrations in the following areas of global practice:
- International Business, Commercial & Trade Law
- International Cultural Heritage Law
- International Governance & Rule of Law
- International Human Rights Law & Policy and Criminal Justice
Students develop the research, analytical and communication skills required to succeed in international law practice and work closely with faculty experts in both international and U.S. law. The program also supports engagement with peers from diverse legal systems and professional backgrounds. Additionally, foreign-trained lawyers and graduates strengthen their English language proficiency while gaining a deep understanding of the U.S. legal system.
| Program Requirements | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 6 |
| Elective Requirements | 18 |
| 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
Designed for experienced attorneys and recent law graduates from the United States and abroad, the LLM in International Law may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis, but the program must be finished within five years.
The LLM program begins with an orientation that introduces students to DePaul Law's faculty, staff, library, computer and research facilities.
Students who received a first degree in law outside the United States are required to take a foundational 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, as well as an introductory course in legal research and writing.
To earn the LLM in International Law, a student must complete 24 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. A summer term is counted as a semester for this purpose.
A student who completes 24 credit hours with a GPA below 2.0 will not be permitted to continue taking classes to improve the GPA, and the student is automatically dismissed if the cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for any three consecutive semesters.
With the exception of students admitted to and enrolled in the joint JD/LLM program, credits earned as part of a JD program do not count toward the LLM degree. No credit is given for law courses taken before a student is admitted to and enrolled in the LLM program.
Courses must be selected from the approved LLM in International Law courses listed below. Students wishing to substitute a course must consult with the College of Law’s academic advisor.
Course Requirements
Courses must be selected from the LLM in International Law courses listed below. Candidates must complete the required courses and additional elective courses in their area of concentration, to meet the total requirement of 24 credit hours.
Required Courses for International Students
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 322 | INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEMS | 3 |
| LAW 556 | INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL WRITING AND RESEARCH | 3 |
Core Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 422 | INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 |
| LAW 448 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS | 3 |
Students must successfully complete the required core coursework and complete the additional credit hours in one of the following areas of concentration:
International Business, Commercial & Trade Law
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select from the following: | 18 | |
| UNITED STATES FOREIGN RELATIONS LAW | ||
| SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR | ||
| ANATOMY OF A DEAL: FROM INCEPTION TO CLOSING | ||
| BUSINESS PLANNING | ||
| INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| U.S. CUSTOMS LAW AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE | ||
| EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: MADRID, SPAIN | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: HAVANA, CUBA | ||
| INTERNATIONAL TAXATION | ||
International Governance & Rule of Law
Required Course
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 482 | INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS I | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select elective courses from the following: | 15 | |
| INTERNATIONAL LAW OF WEAPONS CONTROL | ||
| UNITED STATES FOREIGN RELATIONS LAW | ||
| POST-CONFLICT JUSTICE | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| IMMIGRATION LAW AND POLICY | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: MADRID, SPAIN | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: HEREDIA, COSTA RICA | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | ||
International Human Rights Law & Policy and Criminal Justice
Required Course
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 482 | INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS I | 3 |
Electives
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select elective courses from the following: | 15 | |
| INTERNATIONAL LAW OF WEAPONS CONTROL | ||
| CHILDREN'S HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| UNITED STATES FOREIGN RELATIONS LAW | ||
| SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR (approved topic) | ||
| WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CLINIC | ||
| POST-CONFLICT JUSTICE | ||
| LEGAL CLINIC I (Asylum & Refugee; Immigration) | ||
| INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| LEGAL CLINIC II (Asylum & Refugee; Immigration) | ||
| IMMIGRATION LAW AND POLICY | ||
| ASYLUM AND REFUGEE LAW AND POLICY | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: MADRID, SPAIN | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: HEREDIA, COSTA RICA | ||
| STUDY ABROAD: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | ||
International Cultural Heritage Law
Additional required courses:
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 250 | SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR | 3 |
| or LAW 428 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | |
| LAW 535 | ART AND THE LAW | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select elective courses from the following: | 12 | |
| SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR (approved topic) | ||
| TRADEMARK & UNFAIR COMPETITION LAW | ||
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOR CORPORATE TRANSACTIONAL LAWYERS | ||
| COPYRIGHT LAW | ||
| CONFLICT OF LAWS | ||
| LEGAL DRAFTING (Art Market Transactions and/or other approved topic) | ||
| INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS I | ||
| INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| U.S. CUSTOMS LAW AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE | ||
| EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM | ||
| INTERNATIONAL TAXATION | ||