Stetson University College of Law

The University

Stetson University College of Law, founded in 1900, is Florida's first law school. Originally located on the campus of Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, the College of Law is an integral part of this private and highly selective University. The College moved to the Town of Gulfport, contiguous to St. Petersburg on Florida's West Coast in 1954, but has maintained close ties and parallel goals and objectives with the rest of the University.

Stetson University College of Law is located in a beautiful Spanish-Mediterranean complex originally designed as a 1920s vacation resort. The campus offers a full schedule of cultural and social events, and is home to a wide variety of student organizations and intramural sports teams. The recreation center is only a short walk from the classrooms, and includes a fitness center and swimming pool. There are courts for tennis and basketball, and a field for football, soccer and softball.

The Law School

Founded in 1900 as Florida’s first law school, Stetson University College of Law is a leader in international legal education. Stetson is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools. Stetson offers a welcoming environment for lawyers around the world, with renowned professors who share the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the global marketplace.

Stetson is committed to teaching excellence, legal scholarship, law reform and service to the public and the legal profession. Our goal is to educate men and women who not only will serve ethically and competently in the practice of law and related professions, but who will contribute to making a better world.

The Program

The International Law LL.M. program is an intensive one-year course that leads to an advanced legal degree in International Law with concentrations in International Public Law or International Private Law.

The LL.M. Program in International Law is designed to prepare graduates to enter the global marketplace thoroughly prepared for positions in business, government, teaching and international law practice or related professions. The program emphasizes professionalism, leadership and business skills in addition to training in the law. The required core curriculum stresses those subjects of fundamental importance to all international business lawyers, and a diverse elective curriculum allows students a wide range of choices to pursue their own individual career interests in public as well as in private international law.

Stetson offers a special two-week orientation course to foreign-trained attorneys enrolled in the LL.M. program designed to facilitate the process of understanding and overcoming the challenges of the study of law in a different legal and educational system. This course provides the students with the necessary tools to succeed in a U.S. law school.

Candidates for the LL.M. degree must satisfactorily complete two full academic semesters for a total of at least 24 credit hours. The first semester’s curriculum includes two special courses designed exclusively for foreign trained attorneys.

Full-time students are scheduled to complete the requirements for the LL.M. degree within one year. Candidates for the LL.M. degree must satisfactorily complete two full academic semesters (Fall and Spring) of in-residence coursework on the Stetson University College of Law campus for a total of at least 24 credit hours. Students may enroll in additional courses during the Fall and Spring semesters. Each full-time student must enroll in a required curriculum of core courses during the Fall and Spring semesters. Part-Time students are allowed a full three-year period to complete all requirements for the degree.

The program includes a practical skills requirement in the international area. Additionally, it features special courses for foreign-trained attorneys. Stetson’s LL.M. program accommodates the specialization needs of both experienced practicing attorneys and recent law school graduates from the U.S. and abroad.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) class will be kept small to ensure that each student can maximize his or her potential.

The Faculty

The College of Law recognizes that the education of well-trained professionals requires distinction in faculty, students and staff. Faculty members of the College are dedicated to teaching excellence, legal scholarship, law reform and service to the legal profession.

Our faculty members are passionate about teaching. They have open-door policies; they coach advocacy teams and advise student organizations. They are established scholars who bring their expertise to the classroom. They are true mentors and role models for our students.

Stetson offers a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment in which students can develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the 21st Century.

Entry Requirements

Stetson's LL.M. program in International Law does not require an application fee.

Applicants for admission to the LL.M. Program must have received their first law degree at an ABA-accredited law school or at a law school approved by the appropriate authority in a country other than the United States. In addition, the Graduate and International Programs Committee may in its discretion, admit applicants with law or law related degrees, practicing lawyers and applicants which the Committee determines to have comparable credentials. Foreign applicants must submit the legal credentials that apply in their respective countries of origin. All applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement and must be proficient in the English language. Applicants whose native language is not English must achieve a TOEFL examination score of at least 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); or 79-80 (internet-based).

Foreign students are advised that admission to the bar in Florida and most other states requires a J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the LL.M. in International Law application form to Stetson University College of Law, which can be downloaded at: www.law.stetson.edu/international/llm or can apply on-line with no application fee. Applicants must submit a (1) Personal Statement; (2) official transcripts from all colleges, universities and graduate or professional schools attended; and (3) two letters of reference. Additional documents required for foreign applicants are (1) official TOEFL score; and (2) evaluation of transcripts in English.

Tuition and Fees

TUITION AND FEES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010
LL.M. Academic Year 2009-2010 $ 31,640

Full-Time Fall 2009
Tuition per semester $ 15,710.
Student activity fee $ 60.00
Student Bar Assoc. fee $ 50.00
Required Books (estimated) $ 900.00

Full-Time Spring 2010
Tuition per semester $15,710.00
Student activity fee $ 60.00
Student Bar Assoc. fee $ 50.00
Required Books (estimated) $ 900.00

Part-Time student tuition is assessed @ per academic credit hour.

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid Available & Steps for Applying:

U.S. Students: Federal Stafford loans are available to LLM students who apply for federal aid on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may qualify for $8,500 in subsidized and $10,000 in unsubsidized loans every two semesters, i.e. fall/spring. Private credit-based loans are available to cover additional expenses up to the cost of education. View our private lender comparison table at www.law.stetson.edu/finaid to compare programs.

Non-U.S. Students: Private credit based loans are available to cover the cost of education. You must provide a social security number and a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Please contact Sallie Mae Law Loans at 1-800-984-0190 to apply.

LL.M. Tuition Scholarship:

A limited number of partial tuition scholarships are available to applicants who show special need or promise of special achievement.

To apply: Your request must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Director of the Graduate and International Programs Office, 1401-61st Street South, Gulfport, Florida 33707; Tel: (727) 562-7849; Fax: (727) 231-0723; or E-mail: international@law.stetson.edu. Your request should accompany your application for admission, and will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee upon the student's acceptance in the program.

Location

Stetson's law school campus is located in the residential beachfront community of Gulfport, a tranquil place to study, live and work that is contiguous to the city of St. Petersburg. As part of the exciting metropolitan area of greater Tampa Bay, Stetson offers access to one of Florida's most vibrant business and legal communities, and positions you in a thriving cultural center with unique environmental and international opportunities.

The Tampa Bay area is known for its many amenities, magnificent beaches and palm-lined boulevards. Entertainment ranges from beachfront clubs and restaurants to fine museums and performance venues. The area is home to professional sports franchises, and is rich in parks, biking paths, playing fields, fishing piers, boating marinas and golf courses. World-class entertainment parks are nearby, including Busch Gardens, Disney World, EPCOT Center, Sea World, and the movie theme parks at Disney-MGM and Universal Studios. Tampa Bay’s wonderful weather allows you to enjoy these amenities all year round.

Accommodation

Stetson University College of Law owns several Auxiliary homes and the Rosa Apartment Complex which is within walking distance of the college. These units are available primarily to married students with children living with them or single students with children living with them.

The dormitory rooms are located on the campus grounds surrounding the beautiful main courtyard area and are only a few short steps from the classroom building. The dorms are located in 5 different buildings and on 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors.

Student Life

Stetson gives students the opportunity to develop unparalleled leadership skills. Students are expected to become active members in their community. Professional development is encouraged at Stetson. We provide access to local and national bar associations and facilitate membership in the local chapters of the American Inns of Court Program. Our mentor programs, campus speakers and adjunct faculty members provide a unique and personal introduction to the study of law.

The Stetson Ambassadors serve as an elite leadership team that represents Stetson at community functions, mentors new students, hosts competitions and conferences, provides campus tours, and other important activities.

A variety of other student organizations help provide a rich and meaningful student life. Organizational activities are as diverse as our student population.

The College of Law has an active intramural program of team sports and competitions, as well as an assortment of exercise classes taught by certified fitness professionals. The Gulfport campus is also a short distance from several public beaches, bike trails and community parks.

A new student center, which opened in 2002, houses career development, student life and student organization offices. Students can socialize in the lounge and enjoy the fitness center, kitchenette and heated swimming pool.

Summer Program

Spring entrants and part-time students may participate in Stetson's summer abroad programs. Through these programs, students earn academic credit in beautiful locales, meet local officials, and tour nearby legal and government institutions. Students can earn up to four credits in the summer abroad programs. Classes meet every Monday through Thursday morning, leaving afternoons and three-day weekends free for social events and travel. Programs are offered in The Hague, Netherlands; Freiburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; Granada, Spain; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Pre-LLM Course

Applicants for admission to the LL.M. Program must have received their first law degree at an ABA-accredited law school or at a law school approved by the appropriate authority in a country other than the United States. In addition, the Graduate and International Programs Committee may in its discretion, admit applicants with law or law related degrees, practicing lawyers and applicants which the Committee determines to have comparable credentials. Foreign applicants must submit the legal credentials that apply in their respective countries of origin.