Frequently Asked Questions
How many credits does it take to complete a Certificate?
Students pursuing a Certificate must take the following number of credits from a list of qualifying courses applicable to each program (see each Certificate's description for specific requirements):
- Employee Benefits*: 10 credits
- Estate Planning*: 12 credits
- International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: 10 credits
- International Human Rights Law : 12 credits
- International Taxation*: 10 credits
- State and Local Taxation*: 10 credits
- WTO Studies: 12 credits
- Refugees & Humanitarian Emergencies: see program website
Certificates marked with * may be taken in conjunction with an Taxation LL.M. or on a stand-alone basis. The remaining Certificates must be taken in conjunction with an LL.M.
When a Certificate is combined with an LL.M. degree program, the courses taken to meet the Certificate requirements are part of the courses taken to earn the LL.M. Therefore, you do not take "extra" credits if you combine a Certificate with your LL.M.
May students apply to two or more Certificate programs simultaneously?
No. Applicants may apply to only one Certificate program. (On a case-by-case basis, after admission to the LL.M. program, students may request to enroll in two of the Tax-related certificates simultaneously.)
If I want to take the New York Bar, may I pursue a Certificate in addition to my LL.M. degree?
Yes, but not always. With carefully planning, foreign-educated students who want to pursue a Certificate and an LL.M. degree will be eligible to sit for the New York Bar. Typically, students must be pursuing one of the most flexible degree options (such as the General LL.M.) in order to meet both the Certificate requirements and the New York Bar eligibility requirements. Students pursuing more specialized degrees may have difficulty satisfying the requirements for everything at once. Admitted students are encouraged to discuss their options with their academic advisor before choosing their classes; applicants should not worry too much about this during the application process. Please click here for more information about the New York Bar requirements.
