LL.M. Programs

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American Legal Studies
International and Comparative Law
International Criminal Law

St. Mary’s University School of Law is accredited by both the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Association of Law Schools (AALS).

The LL.M program includes comprehensive curricula covering a core of traditional and emerging legal studies. LL.M. students will have opportunities for study abroad at theSt. Mary's Institute on World Legal Problems in Innsbruck, Austria and the Institute on Chinese Law and Business in Beijing, China. The curriculum reflects our attempt to guide our students toward a mastery of traditional principles of substantive and procedural law, and to prepare students to function in a changing legal environment. It also reflects our belief that our students should be encouraged to engage in theoretical inquiry into the nature of law and its role in society.

The Law School offers three LL.M degrees that may be obtained on either a full-time or part-time basis: LL.M. in International and Comparative Law,LL.M. in American Legal Studies, and LL.M. in International Criminal Law.

The LL.M in International and Comparative Law is designed for primarily U.S. or foreign trained attorneys who have already obtained a law degree and who will benefit from specialized training in international and/or comparative law. The International and Comparative Law LL.M program includes a comprehensive offering of both public and private international law as well as a number of comparative courses. The LL.M in American Legal Studies is designed for graduates of foreign law schools who want to enhance their understanding of the American legal system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are available for LL.M. students?
LL.M students will take virtually all courses with J.D. students except "Introduction to the American Legal System" and “Legal Research and Writing”.

Can I complete LL.M. studies in one year?
Yes. LL.M. studies require the completion of 24 credit hours in law courses approved by the co-directors of the LL.M. program. Of the 24 credit hours, LL.M. students must fulfill three credit hours with a master’s thesis under a faculty member’s supervision. Students can enroll either in August or January.

Can I take the Bar Exam in the U.S. after obtaining an LL.M from St. Mary’s?
Yes. St. Mary's LL.M graduates are permitted, regardless of practice experience, to sit for bar examinations in New York and California provided certain courses are completed as part of LL.M studies. As for other states, the foreign law degree, the LL.M degree as well as certain practice experience are required. LL.M candidates are urged to make inquiry with the particular state(s) in which they wish to become licensed as the law school may not provide authoritative and definitive information about such requirements.

How can I apply?
Complete application form and send the following materials to
LL.M. Admissions
St. Mary’s University School of Law
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, Texas 78228

Official transcripts The transcripts must be sent directly from all schools that an applicant has attended. "Official" means a copy of your original document certified by an officer of your school and stamped with official seals. Faxed copies and photocopies of academic records will not be accepted. Transcripts must be written in the native language of the school. If this language is not English, the documents must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Resume
Personal Statement (within 800 words)
Two letters of recommendation. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from law professors, employers or other persons familiar with their academic and professional qualifications.
• English language requirement: LL.M. applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). English proficiency is the key for LL.M. students to meet the rigorous reading and writing requirements at St. Mary's University School of Law. The Admission Committee will conduct telephone interviews with applicants whose test scores are below 80 points on the internet-based TOEFL or 6 points on the IELTS test. The TOFEL code for St. Mary’s University, Texas is 6637.

Even though TOEFL/IELTS tests scores are important, the Admission Committee does not rely solely on test scores. Experience has shown that students’ test scores sometimes do not match the level of their actual English skills. Therefore, the Admission Committee will consider other evidence that could indicate an applicants’ English proficiency:
Application fee U.S. $55. Each application for admission must be accompanied by a $55 non-refundable application fee either in check or money order payable to “St. Mary’s School of Law.” Please do not send cash.

Does St. Mary’s offer conditional admission to the LL.M. programs?
Yes. Students with scores of TOEFL iBT 70 or IELTS 5.5 may be admitted with the condition of taking two English courses on campus in the first semester.

Can I apply through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)?
No. Applicants must send their applications directly to St. Mary's University School of Law.

Does St. Mary’s Law have a rolling admission?
Yes, we accept applications for the LL.M. programs year-round. Admitted students can choose to enroll beginning either in January or August.

What materials are required for visa application for admitted international students?

Valid passport
Receipt of visa application payment
The Letter of Admission
I-20 Form issued by International Student and Scholar Services at St. Mary’s University
Bank Statement

What is the cost of obtaining an LL.M. degree?

Tuition: For academic year 2012-13, the LL.M. tuition is $11,976 per semester for the spring. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change without notice pursuant to the St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees resolution. For academic year 2013-2014, the estimated tuition will be $13,500 per semester.
Health Insurance $1,010
Fees $626
Books and Supplies $1,500
Living expenses $16,560 (combines housing, board, personal, transportation)

Does the Law School provide student housing?
Yes.

For further questions, please contact co-directors of the LL.M. programs:
Professor Robert Summers or Professor Chenglin Liu.

International Criminal Law

Pending ABA approval, St. Mary's will offer a 24-credit-hour LL.M degree in International Criminal Law which may be acquired through full- or part-time study at the home campus in San Antonio, Texas. This LL.M degree program is one of only three such programs offered by American law schools.

The course of study will include such subjects as:

Civil and Common Law Systems
Public International Law
International Criminal Law (Hague and Geneva Conventions, international criminal courts plus war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression)
Transnational Criminal Law (illicit trafficking of weapons, drugs and persons)
Terrorism Law
National Security Law
U.S. Intelligence and National Security Law
International Human Rights Law
Comparative Criminal Procedure
Advanced U.S. Criminal Procedure

Those American lawyers who successfully complete this LL.M degree will be well prepared for a large variety of U.S. federal public sector positions in law enforcement, the diplomatic, military and intelligence services as well as comparable positions at the state level. American and foreign lawyers interested in international law enforcement, international organizational, NGO and international criminal court work would benefit considerably as well.

Students will complete their LL.M studies with an approved thesis on a relevant topic. Inquiries may be addressed to the co-directors of the LL.M. programs Professor Robert Summers or Professor Chenglin Liu.

American Legal Studies

Course Requirements

Prior to the beginning of the fall semester, students enrolled in the LL.M. program will be required to attend an orientation program. LL.M. students are expected to obtain the 24 credit-hours required for graduation in nine months of full-time academic work.

Among the required courses, foreign students will enroll in are Introduction to the American Legal System, Constitutional Law and Legal Research and Writing. Each student must also write a three-credit thesis of publishable quality. Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $960 per credit hour.

Sample Courses and Seminars Offered in the LL.M. Program in American Legal Studies:

American Legal History
Business Associations
Civil and Common Law Systems
Contracts
Criminal Law
Environmental Law
International Arbitration
Jurisprudence
Law and Economics
Legal Philosophy
Mediation
Patent and Copyright Law
Procedure
Property
Torts
U.S. Anti-trust Law

International and Comparative Law

Course Requirements

Prior to the beginning of the fall semester, students admitted to the LL.M. program will be required to attend an orientation program. Students enrolled in the program are expected to obtain the 24 credit-hours required for graduation in nine months of full-time academic work. Students are required to take courses in both public international law and basic comparative law, unless they completed such courses in fulfillment of their J.D. requirements.

In addition, each student must write a three-credit thesis of publishable quality. Sixteen of the 24 required credits must be earned in the area of international and comparative law. Up to six credits may be earned through the St. Mary's World Institute on Legal Problems, in Innsbruck, Austria. Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $960 per credit hour.

Sample Courses and Seminars Offered in the LL.M. Program in International and Comparative Law: