National Security Law at Georgetown
Georgetown Law’s expertise in the study of national security law is unparalleled. The depth and breadth of the faculty’s experience in the field, including both full-time faculty and visiting and adjunct professors, the range of courses offered, the intellectual life of the institution, the vitality of the Center on National Security and the Law, as well as the Human Rights Institute, and the contributions of the Federal Legislation and Administrative Clinic provide incredible opportunities for students interested in national security law.
The law school’s expertise is bolstered by its position in Washington, D.C., in close proximity to institutions engaged in many different aspects of national security law, such as government institutions and agencies, law firms, private contractors, high technology companies, think tanks, and NGOs.
More than a dozen full-time faculty have expertise in this area, including Professor Rosa Brooks, Professor Barry Carter, Professor David Cole, Professor Viet Dinh, Professor Laura Donohue, Professor Neal Katyal, Professor David Koplow, Professor Marty Lederman, Professor David Luban, Professor Philip Schrag, Professor Jane Stromseth, Dean William Treanor, and Professor Carlos Vázquez. In addition, Georgetown Law provides a home to talented adjunct faculty drawn from the judiciary, academia, government, advocacy groups, non-profits, watchdog organizations, NGOs, think tanks, law firms, and private companies.
The school offers a broad range of national security law courses covering topics such as bioterrorism and public health, cyber law, the law of armed conflict, human rights, civil rights and civil liberties, intelligence law, maritime law, national security investigation and prosecution, nonproliferation, procurement, and foreign relations. Many courses include an experiential learning component, allowing students to engage in substantial pieces of writing, sophisticated simulations, judicial proceedings, treaty construction, legislative drafting, and externships.
The Center on National Security and the Law combines innovative scholarly theory with practical research, teaching and training, policy analysis and development, outreach and engagement, impact litigation, and discussion and debate. The Center currently has projects and programming focusing on the state secrets privilege, emerging technologies, biological weapons and quarantine law, security clearances, habeas corpus, cybersecurity, and civilian and military relations. The Federal Legislation and Administrative Clinic focuses on cyberlaw and reorganization of the intelligence community. The Human Rights Institute, coordinates programs and events that touch on national security-related issues; among other things, it organizes high-level conferences addressing questions at the intersection of human rights and national security; hosts off-the-record discussions between national security officials, policy makers, and scholars on sensitive national security-related topics; and coordinates panel events for students, scholars, and members of the public on issues related to human rights and national security.
The National Security Law LL.M. Degree Program
The National Security Law LL.M. degree is a highly competitive one year advanced degree program, created to give students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking about national security law. Students selected for the National Security Law LL.M. will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty at Georgetown Law, and to further strengthen their understanding of the field.
The National Security Law LL.M. is designed for a wide variety of applicants, including professionals looking for vertical advancement or a lateral move, J.D. students interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the field and the opportunity to build their credentials, and students interested in potentially pursuing an S.J.D.
