LLM Degree Requirements
The International Legal Studies LLM program is designed to meet the growing demand for lawyers trained in global legal issues. The program's flexible structure enables students to shape a course of study that fits their personal goals and interests.
To earn the LLM degree, students must complete:
- At least 24 credit hours with a grade point average of 2.0 or better. Students can complete the degree in either two or three semesters. The Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that students studying under an F1 or J1 visa maintain full-time enrollment (8 credits) during the normal academic year (fall and spring semesters). Students may choose an area of specialization in which 16 of the 24 credits are designated towards a specific concentration.
- Required Courses: During their first semester, graduates of non-common law programs are required to take American Legal Institutions, a two-part class that covers substantive U.S. law (2 credits) and Legal Research and Writing (1 credit). These courses introduce students to the U.S. legal system and U.S. legal writing.
- LLM Writing Requirement: To qualify for graduation, all LLM candidates must complete 2 research papers that demonstrate a high degree of skill in legal scholarship and writing. These papers may be written in connection with a WCL course or seminar or through an independent study writing project under the supervision of a WCL faculty member. Papers must be 20-25 pages long. The research papers completed for the Legal Research and Writing component of American Legal Institutions (580-002) constitute one of the required research papers.
- English for Lawyers: Students with a TOEFL score below 580 (237 CBT and 93 IBT) are required to take English for Lawyers, though it is recommended for all students who wish to improve their English skills. This non-credit course is taught in conjunction with LAW 580-002 (Legal Research and Writing). The two courses share the same content base and complement each other with coordinated writing assignments. The English for Lawyers course is designed to enhance students' English language proficiency in a U.S. legal context. This course has been instrumental in enabling students with limited English-language experience to maximize their educational experience at WCL.
