Law: International & Comparative Law, LLM
for the Master of Laws, International & Comparative Law Concentration
The Illinois LL.M. is designed to prepare students with or without any prior legal training to excel in their professional careers. Foreign-educated students in the LL.M. program are introduced to the U.S. legal system and provided the opportunity to specialize in their own area of academic or professional interest. U.S.-trained lawyers can also enhance their legal expertise to meet their professional and career goals in the LL.M. program.
Admission
The Graduate College admission requirements and English language proficiency requirements apply. In addition for the LL.M. program, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement is 80 internet-based. Students are not required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students are admitted on an individual basis according to a review of their prior accomplishments with an emphasis on academic achievement. Admission is generally made for the fall semester only.
Financial Aid
Applicants to the College of Law graduate programs are welcome to apply for scholarship assistance. Scholarships typically are awarded to applicants with a combination of excellent academic and professional credentials and proven financial need. Awards usually provide part of tuition and do not cover living expenses. There are always more qualified applicants than there are funds available. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to explore alternative sources of funding.
for the Master of Laws, International & Comparative Law Concentration
Each Concentration offers a directed, optional program of study for LL.M. students in an increasingly important field of global legal practice. Each Concentration provides (1) specialized training in the Concentration field of law, (2) guidance to students in developing a program of study with the courses deemed most useful and relevant to the Concentration, and (3) a Concentration designation on their transcripts that will better allow them to market their expertise. In some instances, a Dual Concentration (i.e., in Intellectual Property and Justice, Democracy and Legal Rights) is available to eligible students. Eligible students must apply to pursue the Dual Concentration and may stay in residence an additional semester so that the 14-credit requirements of the second Concentration can be independently met. In the case of the Dual Concentration, credits used to satisfy one Concentration cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for a second Concentration. Students interested in remaining in residence for a third semester to complete their program of study must apply by the listed deadline at the start of the second semester of the LL.M. degree. The Concentrations require students to complete a minimum of fourteen credit hours in topics integral to each Concentration. Courses taken toward a Concentration will count toward the student’s LL.M. degree.
For additional details and requirements refer to the College of Law's graduate degree requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Laws Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 500 | LLM Legal Writing and Research | 2 |
| LAW 501 | Professional Responsibility | 3 or 4 |
| Electives selected from any College of Law course in consultation with the advisor. | 26-27 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level (or higher) Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| A concentration is not required. | |
| One academic year in residence | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
International & Comparative Law Concentration Requirements
Courses taken toward the Concentration will count toward the student’s LL.M. degree, and must be selected with the program advisor. In some instances, a Dual Concentration (i.e., in Intellectual Property and Justice, Democracy and Legal Rights) is available to eligible students. Eligible students must apply to pursue the Dual Concentration and may stay in residence an additional semester so that the 14-credit requirements of the second Concentration can be independently met. In the case of the Dual Concentration, credits used to satisfy one Concentration cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for a second Concentration.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course from: | 4 | |
| Constitutional Law I | ||
| International Law | ||
| Select at least ten hours of coursework from the courses below: | 10 | |
| International Business Trans | ||
| International Trade Policy | ||
| International Human Rights Law | ||
| Current Legal Problems | ||
| Adv Topics in Business Law | ||
| Adv Topics in Criminal Law | ||
| Comparative Law Topics | ||
| Intellectual Property Topics | ||
| Seminars | ||
| Total Hours | 14 | |
Graduate Degree Programs in the College of Law
for the Master of Laws, International & Comparative Law Concentration
College of Law
Dean of the College: Jamelle Sharpe
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs: Margareth Etienne
Correspondence and Admission Information: Christine Renshaw, Office of Graduate and International Programs
College of Law website
College of Law faculty
244 Law Building, 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-6066
Law email