Hi, I was wondering if I am correct and Georgetown really does not offer a research (thesis based) LLM.
Any clue as to why this is so? All the other big ones offer this option.

Dear us_llm_06:

If you are interested in conducting research in the US with first-rate professors, I highly recommend Vanderbilt Law School, which is ranked 17 by US News. I graduated from Vanderbilt Law School last year and must say that the law school gave me a unique chance to work closely with faculty members on my own chosen topics. With a small size of LL.M. program (roughly 10 LL.M. students each year), professors pay lots of attention to your research throughout the academic year. One Vanderbilt LL.M. student in my year just gets his work published in Northwestern Law Journal. Another LL.M. student's research is presented at the conference. Needless to say, this proves the high qualty of LL.M. program at Vanderbilt, especially research opportunity.

Vandy faculty's dedication to their students is obvious to me. This is evidence. I sent e-mail to ask the professor who taught me last year about my prospective research. In spite of the fact that I am now not a Vanderbilt student, but alumnus, the professor quickly replied my e-mail with helpful information. I personally think that this may not happen in other top law schools where there are tons of LL.M. students each year, and where professors easily forget students when they graduate.

Surely Vanderbilt is not Harvard, Columbia, or NYU. However, the small school but academically strong like Vanderbilt may provide you something very meaningful.

Once again, please let me emphasize that if you are considering a law school, which is research-based, I do highly recommend Vanderbilt Law School into your consideration.

Anyway, good luck to your choices of law schools. I wish you the very best!!!

Very truly yours,

thanks for your answer. I very much appreciate your view on this issue.
I have another question: how highly is a research LLM regarded in general vs a taught LLM?
Let's say for a job in the public sector, do you imagine the expertise in a specific area is appreciated or people are likely to prefer LLM who have gone through taught programs?
CHeers,
Dom

Hey Dom,

Traditionally, a research LLM are for academics whereas a coursework LLM are for lawyers. Public service blurs it abit, depends on what job you want in the public service.