The JD/LLM program permits students to complete both degrees on an accelerated timeline. Students may pursue one of three concentrations:
Students may apply up to nine credit hours of qualifying coursework toward both the JD and LLM. Students may apply for admission prior to beginning the JD program or at any time during their JD studies.
| Program Requirements | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| JD Requirements | 86 |
| LLM Requirements | 15 |
| Total hours required | 101 |
Learning Outcomes
Juris Doctor (JD)
Students will be able to:
- Solve legal problems by applying foundational knowledge of civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, property law, and torts.
- Solve legal problems by applying foundational knowledge of the rules regulating the legal profession.
- Identify and apply relevant legal authority.
- Communicate clearly in speech and writing.
- Demonstrate the fundamental professional lawyering skills for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession
Master of Laws (LLM)
Domestic Students
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal rules and policies in the student's area of specialization.
- Conduct advanced legal research and analysis in the student's area of specialization.
International Students
Students will be able to:
- Identify structures of the U.S. legal system and government institutions.
- Demonstrating understanding of how a common law system operates in a constitutional democracy.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal rules and policies in the student's area of specialization.
- Identify and apply relevant legal authority.
- Communication clearly in speech and writing.
Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements
Students may apply for direct admission to the Joint JD/LLM program at the time of application to the JD program or at any time prior to the last semester of completion of the JD program. Students applying for direct admission must indicate interest on the JD application and submit the required essay.
Students admitted directly to the Joint JD/LLM program must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.80 at the end of the first academic year to continue in the JD/LLM program. Students who do not meet the 2.80 GPA requirement will continue in the JD program provided they satisfy the requirements to continue in the JD program, and they may reapply to the joint degree program upon raising their cumulative GPA to 2.80 or higher.
JD students applying to the Joint JD/LLM program after matriculation must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.80 and submit the required application materials to the Office of Law Admission.
Students admitted in their final year who are unable to complete all program requirements within three years must enroll in an additional semester to complete the LLM requirements.
Credit and Program Requirements
Students must complete all requirements for both the JD and the applicable LLM program.
Traditional JD students must complete 86 semester hours. Traditional LLM students must complete 24 semester hours following completion of a JD degree.
Students in the joint JD/LLM program may apply up to nine semester hours of qualifying coursework toward both degrees. As a result, students complete the 86 semester hours required for the JD and only an additional 15 semester hours to satisfy LLM requirements.
Students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to earn the Joint JD/LLM degree. Students who complete all required coursework with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 but at or above the 2.30 GPA required to earn the JD degree will be awarded the JD and a certificate in the LLM concentration.
To receive the joint degree, students must complete the requirements of both programs in the same semester and academic year. Credits applied to both degrees are counted only upon concurrent completion of both programs.
Students who delay JD degree conferral to complete LLM requirements will not receive certification to sit for a bar examination until the semester in which the joint degree is conferred.
A student who graduates from the JD program without having been admitted to the joint JD/LLM program prior to graduation must apply for traditional admission to the LLM program and complete the 24 semester hours required for the LLM degree.