Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Coursework

With over 300 graduate law courses to choose from, Georgetown Law gives foreign-trained students the flexibility to create their own plan of study suited to their passions and career goals. The broad program requirements allows students to craft and individualize their own curriculum.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of individualized academic advising for course planning. Course planning will vary depending on each student’s academic and professional objectives, including whether the student intends to sit for the New York Bar, complete a certificate of specialization, and/or participate in an externship. Individual consultations are available to assist with degree requirements, course selection, and the alignment of academic choices with these goals.

Students often choose to pursue a Certificate of Specialization in combination with their LL.M. program. The credits needed to fulfill certificate requirements are a part of, and not in addition to, the credits required for the LL.M. in General Studies program.

Students who wish to fulfill course requirements for New York Bar eligibility can do so while pursuing the LL.M. program. The credits needed to fulfill New York Bar eligibility are a part of, and not in addition to, the credits required for the LL.M. in General Studies program.

Although not specifically required to complete the LL.M. in General Studies program, students are strongly encouraged to take Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems (2 credits), or similar introductory U.S. law courses such as Foundations of American Law (2 credits) and Introduction to U.S. Constitutional Law (3 credits), as well as U.S. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing (2 credits) to establish a solid foundation in the American legal system and the research and communication methods of U.S. lawyers.

Refer to the Georgetown Law Curriculum Guide and select LL.M.: Complete List of Courses under Courses in a Graduate Program for the current list of LL.M. curricular offerings.

To view course descriptions for current and previous LL.M. curricular offerings, visit the General Studies Curriculum Essay.

Faculty

Georgetown’s graduate law courses are taught by a diverse group of full-time and adjunct faculty of academics, subject matter experts, and practitioners from academia, government, public interest groups, corporations, international organizations, and private practice.

Visit the Faculty Directory to view the list of full-time professors who teach at Georgetown Law.

Alternatively, to view the professor profile of a particular course, select a course from the Curriculum Guide and scroll to the Professors section of the course information page.

Campus Life

Georgetown Law offers a rich array of student organizations and activities that allow students to find their own path at law school. With over 85+ registered student organizations, available programming and activities span across a broad range of legal disciplines, provide support and activities for ethnic, religious and other identity groups, promote social justice causes and host social gatherings. The diverse selection of student groups provides an abundance of opportunities to hone leadership and lawyering skills, make new friends, expand professional opportunities, and make a difference in Washington, D.C. and the world.

To learn more about how to get more involved in Georgetown Law student life, visit the Activities & Organizations page.

Students interested in writing, reviewing and publishing scholarly articles on legal issues may consider participating in one of Georgetown’s law journals.

Additionally, Georgetown Law is home to 20+ centers and institutes, each having their own hub of expertise, from public health and international economics, to human rights and technology. Each center and institute has opportunities and programming that students are able to attend and take advantage of, such as symposia and events, career and professional development programs, and networking receptions. Students can engage with professors outside of the classroom, and collaborate with center and institute staff who are leaders and experts in their respective fields.

To learn more about the research initiatives of each center and institute, visit the Georgetown Law Centers & Institutes website.

Experiential Learning

Georgetown Law students have a variety of experiential learning opportunities to choose from, which includes externships, practicums, pro bono, and community service.

There are many opportunities for students to consider off-campus externships and practicums in Washington, DC, from private firms and companies to government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Externships give students the opportunity to undertake real-world projects under the supervision of a practicing attorney.

Practicum courses, both project-based and fieldwork-based, provide an opportunity for students to become substantive experts on a particular topic, cultivate a range of legal skills, and develop their professional identity. On-campus practicum projects are supervised by the course professor, while off-campus fieldwork assignments are supervised by an attorney from the placement organization.

For more information regarding externships and practicums, please visit the LL.M. Externships and Practicums pages.

Students have numerous opportunities to engage in pro bono and community service during their studies and after graduation to provide assistance to those in need.

Career Resources

The Office of Graduate Careers is among the few law school career centers in the United States catered to LL.M. students, both during school and after graduation, to help students be proactive, organized and diligent in their employment search. Our deeply knowledgeable career advisors and extensive network of alumni and faculty open doors to a plethora of opportunities.

One popular recruitment program that LL.M. students take advantage of during their studies is the International Student Interview Program (ISIP). ISIP is an annual consortium event sponsored by 30+ law schools, including Georgetown Law, and hosted by New York University School of Law to facilitate the hiring of highly qualified foreign-trained students enrolled in LL.M. programs at each school. ISIP attracts more than 140 of the leading legal employers from around the world, who review student resumes based on their hiring needs and country of practice.

Another program students may be interested in is the LL.M. Post-Graduate Fellowship Program, designed to provide opportunities and offer support to Georgetown Law LL.M. students who are interested in gaining experience post-graduation with a public service, public interest, or international organization.

To find more information and resources on professional development, career advancement, recruitment programs, and job search opportunities, visit the Office of Graduate Careers and Practice Areas section of the Career Exploration & Professional Development page.

Related Programs

Students often choose to pursue a Certificate of Specialization in combination with the LL.M. in General Studies program. Common certificate pairings with the LL.M. in General Studies program include the Certificate in International Human Rights Law, Certificate in International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, Certificate in Securities & Financial Law, and Certificate in International Trade Law.

Foreign-trained students have the opportunity to get a head start to their studies at Georgetown Law and experience in Washington, DC by attending the LL.M. Summer Experience. The LL.M. Summer Experience is a 6 week pre-program that allows students to earn up to 4 additional credit hours before the start of their degree studies that can be used towards LL.M. program requirements and New York Bar eligibility. All courses in Session I and Session II are approved by the New York Bar and allow more flexibility in course selection during the fall and spring semesters.

The LL.M. in International Legal Studies is an internationally focused version of the LL.M. in General Studies. The program provides students the ability to choose coursework from one of the largest international law curricula of any law school in the United States, while still having room to take elective courses and create an international yet individualized program of study.

Georgetown Law offers the opportunity for LL.M. in General Studies and LL.M. in International Legal Studies students to participate in the LL.M. – London Option program. Students in this one-year full-time program split their time completing their LL.M. degree requirements at two Georgetown locations – the fall semester at Georgetown Law and the spring semester at the Center for Transnational Legal Studies in London, United Kingdom.

The two-year full-time LL.M./Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) dual-degree program is ideal for individuals who wish to combine their law studies with careers in international affairs. In the first year, students study at Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs earning the M.I.A. degree, while in the second year, students study at Georgetown Law earning the LL.M. degree.

Students who wish to deep dive and receive more legal training in a particular field of law should consider one of our specialized LL.M. degree programs. We offer specializations in environmental and energy law, health law, international business and economic law, national security law, technology law, and tax law. Visit the LL.M. Degree Programs page for more information.

Scholarships, Fellowships and Financial Aid

Georgetown Law awards a small number of partial merit based scholarships to LL.M. degree applicants. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of their LL.M. degree application on a rolling basis.

Each year, a small number of admitted LL.M. students are selected as International Arbitration Scholars based on their academic background, professional experience and demonstrated interest in the arbitration subject area. Designation as an International Arbitration Scholar signals a student’s strong potential in the field. International Arbitration Scholars receive partial to full tuition scholarships for their LL.M. degree studies.

The Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa Fellowship Program is an intensive and rigorous fellowship offered to women’s human rights lawyers from Africa applying to a Georgetown LL.M. degree program and are committed to returning home to their countries in order to advance the status of women and girls in their own countries throughout their careers. The fellowship covers the full cost of tuition, health insurance, textbooks. Visit the Women’s Law & Public Policy Program website for further program information and application details.

Applicants who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents may apply for financial aid in the form of loans. For more information please visit the Georgetown Law Financial Aid website.