The DePaul Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law provides an intensive course of study that emphasizes the theoretical background and practical skills lawyers need to excel in international law practice.
There are concentrations in five key 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
The DePaul international law program is designed for both experienced attorneys and recent law school graduates from the United States and abroad who wish to:
- Earn an advanced law degree to assist in the pursuit of a career with law firms, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, and academic institutions worldwide
- Obtain practical and theoretical knowledge of international law and its interaction with the laws of the United States and other countries
- Learn the research, analytical and communication skills required to succeed in international law practice
- Represent clients engaged in international transactions and relationships
- Establish a network of professional international contacts and clients
- Work with faculty experts in international and U.S. law
- Interact with students from diverse legal cultures
Additionally, foreign lawyers and graduates will improve English language skills and gain a deep and sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system.
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.
| 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
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 special courses introducing them to the differences between civil and common law systems, the foundations of the U.S. legal system, the methods of legal reasoning and analysis, and the basics of legal writing in the U.S. legal system.
To earn the LLM in International 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 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 LAW THESIS | ||
| INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW PRACTICUM | ||
| 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 | ||