Curriculum
The LL.M. Program with Customized Study Concentration at Loyola gives graduates from U.S. law schools the opportunity to take their education even further. Candidates work with faculty to develop a tailored training program that fits their individual interests and goals.
A total of 24 credit hours is required for this degree. It is anticipated that the degree will be completed in one academic year (two semesters), but candidates may take longer, with the permission of the Director. All of the required 24 credit hours may be taken from among any courses in the College of Law’s course catalog, except courses that are associated with service on the school’s recognized law journals. LL.M. candidates must also complete a two-hour writing project on a subject of their choice. The writing project may be fulfilled by taking a two-hour law school seminar for credit or a two-hour independent legal research paper (LAW L898) under the supervision of a faculty member.
LL.M. candidates who intend to qualify to sit for a bar exam should notify the Program Director, Bar Preparation Director, and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before starting the program.
Externship Credit
Up to four (4) credit hours may be earned through a pass / fail externship with a law firm, court, or government agency. The College of Law cannot promise that externships will be available to the LL.M. candidates, but will make best efforts to help ascertain any opportunities that may become available.
Completing a Thesis
LL.M. candidates may be able to complete a more extensive thesis under faculty supervision for up to a total of six (6) hours of credit (this would be instead of the two-hour writing project, not in addition to it). The thesis may be completed after the candidate’s one-year period of residency on the Loyola campus, but the LL.M. degree will not be awarded until the thesis is satisfactorily completed.
Concentrations
LL.M. candidates, with the assistance of the Program Director, may choose a concentration that includes suggested courses that are presently required by one of the certificate programs already approved for Loyola's J.D. candidates.
Please visit the LL.M. website for additional information.