Courses & Areas of Concentration

The Illinois LL.M. program is designed to introduce foreign law students to the U.S. legal system while also providing the opportunity for further study in their own area of academic or professional interest.

Students enroll in one required class "Introduction to U.S. Law" and take their remaining courses with J.D. students, choosing from the large selection of regular college offerings. The LL.M. degree requires 32 credit hours and is normally completed in one academic year. Applicants must hold a first degree in law from an accredited institution which should be the equivalent of the J.D. or LL.B. degree.

LL.M. students work with Illinois faculty members who are at the forefront of international legal research and scholarship, yet they find these scholars very accessible for discussions of law topics outside the classroom. Taking courses with J.D. students — an arrangement strongly supported by both groups — LL.M. students make important intellectual and social connections. Many of our LL.M. students choose to obtain a broad overview of law and take courses in a wide variety of subjects during their program. Others focus their study in a particular area of concentration.

Students study the American legal system, international law, and comparative law, gaining practical knowledge that is essential in negotiating cross-cultural transactions. We strive to have the regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America represented in each LL.M. class, and we actively seek participation in unique and emergent legal systems and cultures. Our LL.M. students have varying backgrounds; many are experienced practitioners or judges; some have recently completed their first law degree; and still others are academics seeking to broaden their skills in teaching law. The combination of varied experiences and strong academic credentials contributes to the unique character of each year's class.

Illinois Global Law Fellows Program

The Illinois Global Law Fellows Program is designed to provide selected LL.M. students with practical experience at a participating law firm in the United States, while at the same time providing participating firms with the opportunity to learn from, and interact with, our LL.M. students.

Our students indicated a high degree of interest in a program where they would be able to work in a law firm to further expand their skills and their understanding of the U.S. legal system following their academic year here in Champaign-Urbana.

Corporate Compliance Roundtable

Combating Corruption When Doing Business Globally: Corporate Compliance Programs and the FCPA
November 6, 2009
College of Business Instructional Facility, Room 3041
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Click here for program details