LL.M. in National Security Law
Our location in Washington, DC — amidst government institutions and agencies, law firms, private contractors, technology companies, think tanks, and NGOs — gives our students unparalleled access and insight.
Georgetown Law is widely regarded as the leading school in the country for studying national security law. Students can choose from a multidisciplinary curriculum that explores the most current topics — from cybersecurity and biosecurity to refugee law and international customs law.
The LL.M. in National Security Law program allows you think critically about national security law, work closely with faculty at the top of the field, and be at the center of the place where national security law and policy are made. Student learning extends to substantial writing, sophisticated simulations, judicial proceedings, treaty construction, legislative drafting, and externships.
Admitting approximately thirty students each year, our students are mid-career national security law practitioners interested in developing specific expertise, experienced lawyers transitioning to the field, foreign-trained attorneys with knowledge of international and U.S. law, and a small number of recent law graduates.
Our vibrant intellectual community includes students, faculty and colleagues at the Center on National Security(This link opens in a new tab), Human Rights Institute(This link opens in a new tab), and Journal of National Security Law and Policy(This link opens in a new tab).
In all, our expertise in national security law is unparalleled. The depth and breadth of the faculty’s experience in the field, the range of courses offered, the intellectual life of the institution, and the vitality of our centers and institutes provide incredible opportunities in national security law.
Program Overview
Detailed program requirements for the LL.M. in National Security Law program are listed below.
- Enrollment: Full-Time or Part-Time
- International students in F-1 or J-1 visa status must enroll full-time.
- Program Length: Students must complete all program requirements for the degree within:
- Full-Time: 1 Academic Year
- Part-Time: 3 Years
- Mode of Instruction: In-Person
- Total Required Credits:
- U.S.-Trained Students:Â 24 Credits
- Foreign-Trained Students:Â 20 Credits
- Specialization Credits: Students must complete the required specializations credits from curricular offerings related to national security law. Refer to the Curriculum Guide to find the current list of offerings by selecting National Security Law LL.M.
- US-Trained Students:Â 18 credits
- Foreign-Trained Students:Â 14 credits
- Required Course: As part of the specialization credits, each student must successfully complete:
- Proseminar in National Security Law (3 credits)
- This requirement must be completed in the fall semester, unless a waiver has been approved by the LL.M. Program Director.
- International Law I (3 credits) or Foreign Relations Law (2 credits)
- This requirement may be waived if a comparable public international law course was taken as part of a prior law degree.
- Proseminar in National Security Law (3 credits)
- Experiential Learning: With advanced approval from the LL.M. Program Director, students may count externship course credit towards the specialization credits.
- U.S.-Trained Students: Participation in an externship or practicum within the field is highly encouraged.
- Foreign-Trained Students: There is an option to enroll in the Practice-Oriented Degree Track. Students in the practice-oriented degree track must complete at least one off-campus experiential learning opportunity within the field, such as an externship or practicum, as a part of degree requirements. More information on Practice-Oriented Degree Tracks can be found in the Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies.
- Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
The program requirements listed above should be used as a reference, and have been sourced from the Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies. In the event of any inconsistency, the program requirements listed in the Student Handbook take precedence.
Coursework
Georgetown Law offers more than 65 courses related to national security law each year, the largest number of national security curricular offerings at a U.S. law school. Course topics span from artificial intelligence (AI) and space law to cybersecurity and refugee law. Course offerings cover 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.
The LL.M. in National Security Law program requires students to take Proseminar in National Security Law, which is taken during the fall semester of the program. The course serves as the gateway course for students entering the program. As one of the distinguishing features of the LL.M. program, the course provides students with a foundation in cutting-edge national security law topics and an opportunity to think more broadly about the field.
Additionally, students must take either International Law I or Foreign Relations Law as part of the program. This requirement may be waived if a comparable public international law course was taken as part of a prior law degree study and approved by the LL.M. Program Director. Both courses provide an overview of international law, but in different contexts. International Law I is a broad introduction to public international law, whereas Foreign Relations Law is an advanced course that analyzes the bearings of constitutional principles on U.S. foreign relations.
Refer to the Georgetown Law Curriculum Guide and select National Security Law LL.M. under Courses in a Graduate Program for a current list of curricular offerings in national security law. To view course descriptions of current and previous course offerings in the LL.M. in National Security Law program, visit the National Security Law Curriculum Essay, and the Center on National Security Course Catalog page.
Foreign-trained students who wish to fulfill course requirements for New York Bar eligibility have the ability to do so while pursuing their LL.M. program. However, this requires careful planning and course selection. Students should speak with the LL.M. Program Director for further guidance.
Faculty
Georgetown Law’s national security law courses are taught by 21 full-time faculty and 54 adjunct faculty from practice who are leaders in their fields, excelling in scholarship, in innovative simulations and other experiential learning initiatives, as well as in practice and in policymaking. With our location in Washington, DC, we are able to attract visiting and adjunct faculty members who are leading practitioners from the highest levels of government, the private sector and the nonprofit and advocacy worlds.
Visit the Georgetown Law Faculty Directory to view full-time professor profiles, and the Center on National Security Faculty page to view all full-time, visiting, and adjunct professor profiles who teach courses in the National Security Law Program.
Alternatively, to view the professor bio 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, DC and the world.
There are many student-led interest groups and organizations related to national security law to be a part of. Such interest groups and organizations include the Cyberlaw Society, Immigration Law Student Association, International Refugee Assistance Project, Military Law Society, National Security Law Society, and Space Law Society. To learn more about how to get more involved in Georgetown Law student life, visit the Office of Student Life Activities & Organizations page and the Center on National Security Student Organizations page.
Students can get involved with the Journal of National Security Law and Policy (JNSLP), the world’s only peer-reviewed journal devoted exclusively to security law and policy issues. JNSLP’s editorial team includes a student executive board and LL.M. editors.
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. Students can engage with professors outside of the classroom, and collaborate with center and institute staff who are leaders in their respective fields.
Students in the National Security Law Program engage closely with the Center on National Security during their time at Georgetown Law. As a home base for students studying national security law, the Center has many opportunities and programming to to take advantage of, such as attending symposia and events, and participating in career and professional development programs.
Other centers and institutes of interest from a national security law perspective include the Human Rights Institute, Institute for Technology Law & Policy, International Criminal Justice Initiative, and O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law.
To learn more about the research initiatives of each center and institute, visit the Georgetown Law Centers & Institutes website.
Experiential Learning
LL.M. in National Security Law students have the unique opportunity to engage with the Center on National Security, an interdisciplinary community of students, faculty, practitioners, and fellows committed to identifying and implementing solutions to complex national security challenges. Students should contact the Center for any student opportunities to participate in research projects.
There are many opportunities for students to consider off-campus externships and practicums in Washington, DC, from judicial, governmental, and international organizations to nonprofit and non-governmental agencies. Externships related to national security, human rights, intelligence, and international development give students the opportunity to undertake real-world projects under the supervision of a practicing attorney. Field placements in the past include the World Bank, Department of Defense and the intelligence community.
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, as well as the Center on National Security Internships & Externships page.
Additionally, Georgetown Law 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, Center on National Security colleagues, and extensive network of alumni and faculty open doors to a plethora of opportunities.
The Center on National Security offers the Next Gen National Security Leaders Program, a mentorship program that partners students with experienced attorneys from federal agencies, international entities, private sector employers, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations. The goal is to afford students the opportunity to connect with, and to learn from, experienced attorneys in the field—providing a seamless connection between education and practice.
Foreign-trained students have the opportunity to partake in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP). ISIP is an annual consortium event sponsored by 30+ law schools, including Georgetown University Law Center, and hosted by NYU 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.
To find more information and resources on professional development, career advancement, recruitment programs, and job search opportunities, visit the Office of Graduate Careers, Practice Areas section of the Career Exploration & Professional Development page, and Center on National Security Career Development page.
Related Programs
Georgetown J.D. candidates can obtain an LL.M. in National Security Law degree by completing 12 additional credit hours, through the joint J.D./LL.M. in National Security Law.
LL.M. in National Security Law candidates are eligible to pair their degree studies with a Certificate of Specialization, such as the Certificate in International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, Certificate in International Human Rights Law, and Certificate in Refugees & Humanitarian Emergencies. While it is possible to pursue a Certificate of Specialization in conjunction with the LL.M. in National Security Law, it requires careful planning and course selection. If interested in pursuing this combination, students should speak with the LL.M. Program Director for academic advising.
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.
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 National Security Law Scholars based on their academic experience, professional background and a demonstrated interest in the subject area of national security law. Designation as a National Security Law Scholar signals a student’s strong potential in the field. National Security Law Scholars will receive substantial tuition scholarships for their LL.M. degree studies.
The John H. Jackson Moot Scholarship, is a half tuition scholarship awarded to up to two candidates applying to any full-time in-person specialized LL.M. degree program who were previously a student or coach of a university team participating in the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition (previously known as the ELSA WTO Moot Court Competition) and advanced to the final rounds in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Fellowship Program is an intensive and rigorous fellowship offered to women’s human rights lawyers from Africa applying to a Georgetown LL.M. program who are committed to advancing the status of women and girls in their home country as part of their career. The fellowship covers the full cost of tuition, health insurance, and textbooks. Visit the Women’s Law & Public Policy Program website for more 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.