American University (AU) - Washington College of Law (WCL)

American University Washington College of Law is a dynamic law school at the center of policy, business, and all things international. We are a law school of over 1,700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students who "Champion What Matters."

Founded on the principles of humanity, diversity, and equal rights, the law school's students, faculty, and alumni incorporate these values into everything they do within its walls and around the globe. We offer more than 25 specialized programs including international law, human rights, law and government, intellectual property, business, and gender studies. Our location in Washington, DC, opens up extraordinary internship and employment opportunities within branches of government, international organizations, private and public interest law firms, and nongovernmental organizations. What's more, you'll be surrounded by a community of students and faculty that encourages and inspires one another.

American University Washington College of Law offers four LL.M. programs that are 24 credits and generally take one calendar year to complete. The Law School also offers the LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law which is a two-year program offered both online and in residence during the summer semesters.

The LL.M. in Advocacy offers an opportunity for law graduates at any stage in their career to advance their legal advocacy skills. LL.M. students enhance their technical trial skills, learn new litigation strategies and tools, master courtroom technology, and focus on the application of professional ethics in the pretrial and trial settings. The Program offers students the option to earn credits through legal scholarship, externships and co-teaching activities.

As part of the nationally recognized Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property, the LL.M. in Intellectual Property is designed to expose students to the full range of legal and policy problems and conflicts that arise from domestic and international regulation of copyrights, trademarks, and patents.

The LL.M. in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is a unique hybrid program with residential courses taught over three weeks in the summer in Washington, DC, and online courses taught during the academic year. This program is designed for professionals who wish to pursue advanced human rights studies but are not able to attend a yearlong residential program. This groundbreaking and innovative program provides superb training and an exceptional opportunity to learn from internationally recognized experts.

With students from over 50 countries, the LL.M. in International Legal Studies is one of the top LL.M. programs in the United States. The flexible curriculum includes 8 different areas of specialization ranging from human rights to intellectual property to business and trade. Our students learn from leading professors and practitioners, intern with global organizations and law firms, and have the opportunity to work on research and writing projects. The ILSP is currently the only program in the United States to offer a dual LL.M./MBA degree.

The LL.M. in Law and Government is designed for both domestic and international law graduates who have a strong interest in US government and politics, the dynamics of democracy, and the meaning of the rule of law. With 18 concentrations/specializations, this LL.M. program provides students with a competitive edge in fast-changing areas of law, government, and public policy.

If your aspirations also involve fields outside the law, you can pursue dual joint degrees that we offer with two professional schools at American University: the Kogod School of Business (LL.M/MBA) and the School of Public Affairs (LL.M./MPP and LL.M./MPA).

American University Washington College of Law offers a friendly, supportive atmosphere. 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. Whether you need assistance with registering for courses, searching for an internship, or finding your niche in the city, the faculty and staff are here to help you.

Our faculty members are leading practitioners and scholars in their field. The program incorporates a rich array of law courses and seminars with experiential learning and special events which allow our students to interact and network with our esteemed faculty, international attorneys, diplomats, business leaders, and policy makers.

See the entire law school faculty at: www.wcl.american.edu/faculty.

For all LL.M. programs, applicants must:

1. Hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from a US law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or from a foreign law school with equivalent standards.

2. Submit a completed application form along with supporting documents before the application deadline.

3. International applicants must provide proof of competency in English.

Applicants to the LL.M. in International Human Rights & Humanitarian Law are expected to have two years of prior experience in the legal profession.

For specific details on all requirements (i.e., application deadlines, minimum English test scores, etc.), please visit the Office of Graduate Admissions website. 

*Prospective students must apply directly to the specific LL.M. Program in which they are interested.*

Applicants should submit the following:

- Application Form
- $55 Application Fee
- Official Proof of Competency in English (for non-native speakers) sent from testing agency
- Official Copies of Academic Records
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Tuition Remission Form (if applicable)

Tuition Remission Scholarships All five LL.M. programs offer Tuition Remission Scholarships. These partial tuition grants, usually 2 to 8 academic credits, are available for a limited number of LL.M. students. Tuition remission applications should be submitted with your LL.M. application. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and financial need and are open to both international and U.S. applicants.

ILSP Alumni Fund The LL.M. in International Legal Studies offers five full-tuition scholarships. The Alumni Fund Scholarships are awarded to newly admitted students who display rigorous academic dedication to the advancement of issues in international law. Scholarship applications must be submitted with a completed LL.M. application. Visit theInternational Legal Studies Scholarshipwebsite for detailed rules and application information.

LL.M. Fellowship in Law & Government The LL.M. Fellowship in Law & Government is designed for exceptional students passionately committed to their field of specialization. Successful applicants will have an exemplary academic background and a demonstrated potential to excel in the LL.M. program. The fellow will enroll in the 24-credit LL.M. program and will receive a number of benefits, including a partial scholarship.

Our location and diverse student body create possibilities from the first day you step onto our campus. Washington, DC opens up unparalleled opportunities as the site of the branches of government, administrative agencies, international organizations, think-tanks, lobby groups, and numerous public interest and non-governmental organizations you will find many of our graduates serving in all of them. Our students take advantage of the many opportunities to learn side by side with more than 180 practicing attorneys from around the world.

The students at American University Washington College of Law come from all over the world. Each year we have over 200 lawyers representing over 50 countries in the LL.M. programs. The diverse faculty and student body offers many opportunities for students to thrive academically and socially. Each semester the LL.M. programs plan many events, discussions, and conferences that allow students to not only socialize, but network with faculty members and legal professionals in the field.

LL.M. Board: Each program offers the opportunity for students to join the LL.M. board, a group of students who plan social events and conferences. The students on the LL.M. Board are a great resource for our newer LL.M. students, and the events planned by the LL.M. board offer great ways to meet friends.

American University Washington College of Law offers many summer programs both in DC and abroad. Most summer programs, if taken for credit, can be directed towards your LL.M. degree.

Summer Programs at the Washington College of Law
- Summer Legal English Institute
- Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
- Environmental Law Summer Session
- International Arbitration Summer Session
- Intellectual Property Summer Session
- Law and Government Summer Session
- Health Law and Policy Institute
- International Organizations, Law, and Diplomacy
- Litigation Skills
- Judicial Reform in Latin American & the United States
- Hospitality and Tourism Law
- Anti-Corruption Law | US and International
- Comparative Law | Brazil/US

Summer Programs Abroad
- Summer Law Program in Chile/Argentina
- Summer Law Program in Turkey
- Hague Summer Law Program
- Comparative Summer Law Program in Europe: London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva

More on summer programs: www.wcl.american.edu/summer