University of Miami School of Law - International and Foreign Programs

The University

UM is one of the nation’s leading institutions of legal education. Situated in one of the world’s most vibrant, multicultural metropolitan areas, UM is at the forefront in training legal professionals of a rapidly changing world. Faculty members are leaders in their scholarly and professional fields which benefits the highly talented and diverse student body through a rich and challenging curriculum and a wide variety of professional skills training opportunities. Graduates of this law school are among the best in the profession. More than 17,000 alumni practicing throughout the United States and in nearly ninety countries around the world – in all fields of practice from corporate to public interest law, in large firms, private practice, government service or as sole practitioners – can attest to the excellence of the education they received.

The Program

UM offers two internationally-oriented Master of Laws degrees: the International Law LL.M. and the Ocean and Coastal Law LL.M.

International Law LL.M.

The International Law LL.M. Program provides students with the specialized background and training necessary to recognize, understand and manage problems arising in the international legal order, including those relating to international trade, investment, business, environmental problems, and the protection of human rights. Within this program, the School offers 4 specializations:

• U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers
• International Arbitration
• International Law
• Inter-American Law.

The U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers specialization is open exclusively to foreign attorneys permitting unusual flexibility in choosing courses from the general law school curriculum that they are interested in pursuing. Two courses are designed specifically to help foreign lawyers to quickly grasp the American legal system: An Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Research and Writing. International students consistently appreciate these courses. Another course exclusively for international students, Comparative Trial Litigation, allows them to engage in the practice of simulated U.S. litigations. Overall, this track offers foreign lawyers a unique opportunity to study both theoretical and practical aspects of the U.S. legal system and to appreciate the effects of globalization upon U.S. and transnational law.

The International Arbitration specialization provides theoretical and practical training to those interested in this field. Courses include Arbitral Proceedings Skills, International Commercial Arbitration, and a course on the New York Convention.

The International Law specialization exposes students to a broad background in public international law (both traditional public law and international economic law), comparative law, and international business transactions.

The Inter-American Law specialization is designed to prepare students for a career in the inter-American legal field, exposing them to basic aspects of Latin American law and legal culture so they can more effectively service clients from that region and advise clients doing business in Latin America.

Ocean and Coastal Law LL.M.

The Ocean and Coastal Law LL.M. Program prepares the attorney to be a specialist in the domestic and international legal problems associated with the use and protection of the marine environment.


Except for the U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign Lawyers specialization, all programs are open for both U.S. and foreign law graduates. All LL.M. degrees generally may be earned in one academic year of full-time study or approximately two years of part-time study. Candidates must successfully complete 24 credits, including all required courses and writing requirements.

The Fall semester at UM runs from mid-August through the end of November, followed by two weeks of examinations. The Spring semester runs from January through the end of April, followed by two weeks of examinations. The School of Law also offers a Summer semester during June and July.

The Faculty

The University of Miami School of Law has one of the largest number of faculty members teaching or researching in the area of international and foreign law of any American law school. We are highly regarded for our faculty’s overall academic and professional quality. Our faculty members take great pride in developing good working relationships with students, and are available to discuss course materials as well as questions related to the study of law in general. Some of our students are selected to serve as research assistants to our international faculty. In addition, some students may apply and be appointed by the Dean as a Visiting Associate Professor for one year after the completion of the LL.M. program.

Entry Requirements

UM looks for a student body that is intellectually excellent, extraordinarily active and diverse. To qualify for admission to any of our LL.M. Programs, applicants must have earned a law degree either in the United States or abroad. Admissions are selective and those admitted will have excellent law school records, strong letters of recommendation and strong English language ability, as demonstrated by their TOEFL score, writing sample and personal statement. Special care is taken in the review process to ensure that the entering class is a highly talented and select group, representing a wide variety of cultural, racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds.

Application Procedure

To submit an application for admission to the UM LL.M. Program, please visit www.law.miami.edu/llm/iglp. The application can be completed in print or electronically. Applications are reviewed throughout the year by the Admissions Committee as soon as they are complete. The application asks for personal information and basic data regarding your academic and professional history. You will be asked to submit a personal statement describing how your experiences and background would add to the enrichment of our student body. Further, you will be required to provide original school transcripts, official copies of your diploma, two letters of recommendation, and submit payment of an application fee. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL. Minimum TOEFL score for admission: 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based) or 92 (internet based). Students may be called for an interview to complete the admissions process.

The Admissions Committee carefully evaluates all parts of the application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, we recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible since your application will be considered upon a space available basis.

Application deadlines:
Foreign Law Graduates: May 1st
U.S. Law Graduates: May 1st (Fall Admission) and November 15th (Spring Admission).

Financial Aid

The Law School is committed to helping qualified graduate students obtain the necessary financial aid to complete their legal education. Scholarships are available for a limited number of qualified LL.M. applicants and are awarded on the basis of need and merit. Include the Scholarship Form with your application to ensure scholarship consideration.

Location

As a gateway between the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, Miami has a unique strategic location. Many international corporations have their Latin American regional headquarters here. Home to one of the world’s largest privately owned and operated free trade zones, Miami has the third largest U.S. airport for international passengers and is the cruise capital of the world. Moreover, Miami has the second-largest number of foreign banks in the U.S., a large representation of foreign consulates, 25 international trade offices, 40 bi-national chambers of commerce, and many non-governmental organizations with headquarters or offices here. The area’s economy and social life are firmly tied to international trade, immigration, and tourism in a manner emblematic of the globalized world.

Student Life

The University of Miami is strongly committed to its international programs and we welcome applicants from around the world to join our legal community. In a typical year, our international graduate law programs include about 40 students from 20 or more different countries around the globe. The School of Law has graduated over 1,000 alumni who are living and working in more than 90 countries around the world.

From legal societies to fitness facilities, an array of student activities, resources, and services reflect the academic interests and meet the personal needs of our students. The Law School’s more than 30 student organizations allow students to develop interests in specialized fields of practice, provide service to the community, and interact with local practitioners. Students have many opportunities to publish articles and to be involved in the important process of managing law journals. Law journals managed and edited by students include the Inter-American Law Review, the International and Comparative Law Review, and the University of Miami Law Review.

Also, the School of Law currently offers highly popular Summer Study Abroad Programs in Europe (Netherlands, England, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal) and in China.