LLM in Individualized Legal Studies - for Foreign Students

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The Master of Law (LL.M.) Program at Drake University Law School is designed for foreign-educated lawyers who wish to enhance their understanding of the American legal system. Students completing the program may also choose to apply to take the U.S. bar examination in certain states. The LL.M. curriculum is flexible enough to allow students to explore individual interests while providing a rigorous introduction to the American legal system.

Curriculum (24 credits)

LL.M. students combine required courses and electives to create an individual academic program designed to meet their academic and professional goals. The LL.M. is a 24 credit program. Required courses include:

LLM Summer Institute:

• Legal Research and Writing for LL.M. Students (2 credits)
• Introduction to American Law and Legal Education (1 credit)
• Legal English

Click here for the LLM Summer Institute schedule.

Practical Skills and Writing Requirement:

• LL.M. students will write a paper under the supervision of a full-time member of the Drake law faculty.
• Students will meet the experiential training requirement by participating in one of the law school’s internship programs or through an independent internship designed for them.

The skills and writing requirement may be waived by the Director based on an assessment of student abilities and interests.

Additional Course Work:

The remaining credits can be devoted to a specialized area of study of the student’s choice, or the student may pursue one of several pre-set areas of concentration, such as:

• Business Law
• Human Rights and Global Citizenship
• Sustainable Development

For more information on the LL.M program, click here

Living in Des Moines

Drake’s location in Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines (just 10 minutes from downtown) is one of the Law School’s great strengths. A regional hub for government, publishing, business, insurance, and more, Des Moines offers law students access to internships, clerkships, and professional opportunities at the state capitol, in state and federal courts, and in thriving corporations. Des Moines, a city of a half-million people, is an affordable excellent place to live and learn.

To learn more about Des Moines, click here.

International Student Support

Students at Drake University Law School have full access to the university International Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of international students. The Office coordinates visa paperwork, and runs an international student orientation providing students an opportunity to connect with other international students outside of the law school. For more information on the International Office, please click here.

Benefits of an LL.M.

For an international student, an LL.M. attests to the student's knowledge and understanding of American law and culture, as well as to the student's English language proficiency. An international student who wishes to practice in the U.S. and who holds an LL.M. may, in some states, sit for the state bar exam and obtain a license to practice law in the U.S.

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