LL.M. in International Legal Studies

Coursework

The LL.M. in International Legal Studies gives foreign-trained students the flexibility to create an internationally focused yet individualized plan of study suited to their passions and career goals. With more than 300 graduate law courses to choose from, and offering one of the largest international law curricula of any law school in the United States, Georgetown offers a range of coursework in various international topics and disciplines to choose from to fulfill specialization credit requirements. Elective credits may be selected from the entire Georgetown Law graduate 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.

Regardless of the academic pathway selected, students are encouraged to complete Foundations of American Law (2 credits), Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems (2 credits), or Introduction to U.S. Constitutional Law (3 credits) to establish a solid understanding of the American legal system, International Law I (3 credits) for a foundation in public international law, and U.S. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing (2 credits) to practice the research and communication methods of U.S. lawyers.

Students often choose to pursue a Certificate of Specialization in combination with their LL.M. in International Legal Studies program. With careful planning and course selection, some courses may count towards both LL.M. specialization and certificate requirements.

Students who wish to fulfill course requirements for New York Bar eligibility can do so while pursuing the LL.M. program. Some courses may count towards both LL.M. specialization and New York Bar eligibility requirements.

To meet the specialization credit requirement, refer to the Georgetown Law Curriculum Guide and select International Legal Studies LL.M. under Courses in a Graduate Program for a complete list.

To view course descriptions for current and previous LL.M. in International Legal Studies curriculum offerings, visit the International Legal 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.

Some student organizations that are internationally focused include the Georgetown International Law Society, Georgetown International Arbitration Society, and International Economic Law Society.

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

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 to to 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 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 International Legal Studies program. Common certificate pairings with the LL.M. program include the Certificate in International Human Rights Law, Certificate in International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, 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 general Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, also known as the LL.M. in General Studies, is designed to be the most flexible amongst all the LL.M. programs offered at Georgetown. The program has no specific course requirements, giving students the freedom to explore coursework based on their intellectual and professional interests, and assemble their own program of study from the entire Georgetown Law graduate curriculum.

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. Students in this one-year full-time program split their time completing 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.

The Institute of International Economic Law (IIEL) offers the IIEL Fellowship Program, an opportunity for Georgetown Law J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. students to contribute substantive research to IIEL’s efforts and engage with scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners to discuss policy developments in the field of international economic law. Fellows are selected each year based on academic merit and experience in issues related to IIEL’s ongoing research. IIEL Fellows are honorary and receive no funding from IIEL. However, each year, one outstanding IIEL Fellow is named a John H. Jackson Memorial Scholar, and receives a financial award toward second semester tuition.

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.