The LLM in U.S. Legal Studies is designed for students who received a first degree in law outside of the United States and who seek advanced study in American law.
The degree is flexible, allowing students to select a combination of core courses that establish a foundation in American law. Through the program, international students strengthen their English language skills and develop a strong foundation in U.S. law, legal reasoning and professional writing through coursework on the structure of the U.S. legal system, key distinctions between civil and common law, and legal analysis.
The LLM in U.S. Legal Studies also may help foreign-trained lawyers meet eligibility requirements for the bar exam in New York or Texas, though applicants are responsible for verifying the exam requirements in their chosen jurisdiction. Successful completion of a bar examination is one of the requirements for licensure to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction.
International students interested in practicing in other U.S. jurisdictions may pursue DePaul Law’s Two-Year JD for International Students, which allows international graduates to take the bar exam and become licensed in any state in the United States. Credits earned as part of the LLM in U.S. Legal Studies are not transferable to the JD program.
| Program Requirements | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 9 |
| Elective Requirements | 15 |
| Total hours required | 24 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Identify structures of the U.S. legal system and government institutions.
- Demonstrate understanding of how a common law system operates in a constitutional democracy.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the legal rules and policies in the U.S. legal system.
- Identify and apply relevant legal authority.
- Communicate clearly in speech and writing.
Degree Requirements
The LLM in U.S. Legal Studies program begins with an orientation that introduces students to DePaul Law's faculty, staff, library, computer and research facilities.
Students 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 U.S. Legal Studies, a student must complete between 24 and 32 semester hours of credit, which includes the six credit hours of required foundational coursework and 15-17 credit hours of required coursework, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. A summer term is counted as a semester for this purpose.
A student who completes 32 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 the GPA, and the student is automatically dismissed if the cumulative GPA falls 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.
Credits earned as part of a 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. International students may be eligible to apply credits earned in the LLM program or in their first law degree toward a JD degree at the College of Law.
Courses must be selected from the approved LLM in U.S. Legal Studies 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 list below to meet the total requirement of between 24 and 32 credit hours. Students seeking to substitute a course that is not on this list must speak with their academic advisor.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 322 | INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEMS | 3 |
| LAW 556 | INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL WRITING AND RESEARCH | 3 |
| LAW 481 | LEGAL PROFESSION | 3 |
| In addition to the above classes, students must take at least 2 of the following: | ||
| LAW 105 | CONTRACTS | 4 |
| LAW 120 | CIVIL PROCEDURE | 4 |
| LAW 140 | CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | 4 |
| LAW 160 | PROPERTY | 4 |
| LAW 170 | TORT LAW | 4 |
| LAW 410 | EVIDENCE | 3 |
| LAW 506 | CRIMINAL LAW | 3 |
| LAW 518 | CRIMINAL PROCEDURE I: INVESTIGATION | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Course | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| CONTRACTS | ||
| CIVIL PROCEDURE | ||
| CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | ||
| PROPERTY | ||
| TORT LAW | ||
| FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION | ||
| WILLS AND TRUSTS | ||
| CONFLICT OF LAWS | ||
| EVIDENCE | ||
| LABOR LAW | ||
| REMEDIES | ||
| INSURANCE LAW | ||
| CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | ||
| FAMILY LAW | ||
| CRIMINAL PROCEDURE I: INVESTIGATION | ||
| LEGISLATION AND STATUTORY INTERPRETATION |