Graduate Programs for LL.M., M.C.L., S.J.D. Degrees
Student and Recent Alumni Profiles
Poom Moolsilpa, LL.M.,'99, S.J.D.,'06
After graduating from IU Law School with an M.C.L. degree in 1999, I went back to Thailand to work as a lecturer in law at Assumption University in Bangkok.
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The Graduate Legal Studies Program at the Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington is known for its distinguished tradition in educating international attorneys and scholars. As a graduate student, you will study on a beautiful, historic college campus in one of the safest and most scenic areas of the United States.
Special strengths of our program include:
- Graduate students can take all courses offered in the JD curriculum.
- The School of Law has excellent programs in business and commercial law, intellectual property law, and public and private international law.
- International students study with American law students and will have full access to our renowned faculty, many of whom take extra time with international students.
- We offer special courses designed just for international students.
- Teaching assistants lead small groups to help with writing projects, and one-on-one individualized counseling helps you select classes.
- You can study Legal English at Indiana University's Center for English Language Training or take American Law for Foreign Lawyers the summer before school starts.
- A helpful, friendly International Programs office, with a full-time staff, is there to assist you with visa issues and adjusting to the United States.
- Our Law Library was rated number one in the U.S. Our library has open stacks and very helpful reference librarians who work closely with international students. The University Library is also a rich resource.
Our Community
Indiana University is one of the most popular American universities for international students.
Bloomington is safe and inexpensive compared to major cities. The city offers many international
groceries, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
The School of Law is a welcoming place for International students. International students are welcome to join in the many student groups at the Law School. Additionally, each year we celebrate Lunar New Year and Thai New Year. We also host a traditional soccer game we call Socctoberfest where JD students and international students play in mixed teams. Learn more about our community.
Learn how to apply.
Curriculum
Areas of concentration
Each graduate class typically includes recent law graduates, governmental officials, accomplished academics, and practicing attorneys. We offer flexible programs for our diverse students. Students may design a program that fits with their academic goals and the time available in the U.S. Some students seek a broad course of study. Others specialize in one of the School's areas of concentration.
Degree Programs
These descriptions highlight general elements of each graduate degree. For more detailed information, contact the Graduate Legal Studies Office.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
The LL.M. degree requires at least one academic year in residency. The School of Law currently offers thesis and non-thesis track degree options.
LL.M. Thesis: The LL.M thesis provides an excellent foundation in scholarly research and writing. The LL.M. thesis requires 30 credit hours, with six dedicated to a thesis. Students are assigned thesis advisors. Admission to the LL.M. with thesis program is typically granted only at the end of the first semester of work done at Indiana University in the LL.M. (practicum) program. Under special circumstances, students may be admitted directly to the thesis program. Students can apply to enter the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) program as they finish thesis work, although completion of a thesis does not guarantee admission.
LL.M. Practicum: The practicum provides aspiring legal practitioners and jurists with direct experience in the American legal system. Students observe judicial proceedings and talk with practicing attorneys and judges. This program requires 27 credit hours of course work, plus lectures and graduate seminars about the American legal system and scholarship, study visits to legal institutions, and a short paper.
Master of Comparative Law (M.C.L.)
The M.C.L. degree is for law graduates who are not specifically educated in a common law jurisdiction but wish to gain a familiarity with American law and legal institutions. This degree is also appropriate for legal practitioners who wish to complete a focused course of study in a specific area of law. The M.C.L. requires 21 credit hours of course work, along with participation in a practicum of lectures and graduate seminars about the American legal system and scholarship, study visits to legal institutions, and a short paper.
Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
The School of Law offers an advanced graduate program leading to the S.J.D. degree. Students with demonstrated analytic and research ability have an opportunity for extended study, research, and scholarly writing. All candidates must have outstanding records, an important and original research proposal, and provide evidence of reading and writing skills in English. Admission into the S.J.D. program is highly selective. Some years few or no applicants are admitted into the program.Graduates of this program typically achieve distinction in their home countries as law professors or in public service.
S.J.D. condidates complete a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of members of the law faculty, who direct or serve on the candidate's dissertation committee. The shape of the dissertation will be anticipated in significant part by a research proposal. Students spend one year in residence at the School of Law. This requirement is in addition to any residence requirement satisfied here for an LL.M. degree. The candidate must take the courses and meet the requirements established by the Committee on Graduate Study at the School of Law.
S.J.D. applicants from abroad have distinguished themselves in a demanding LL.M. program. They often will be LL.M. graduates of the Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington. When the applicant has received an LL.M. degree from any other law school, the application should include names of professors at that school who are familiar with the applicant. When the applicant has obtained a J.D. with distinction from a U.S. law school, he or she may be considered even without an LL.M. In such cases, the graduate committee will weigh post-J.D. experience that bears on the applicant's scholarly objectives.
Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Social Science
The School of Law offers an interdisciplinary program leading to the PhD in Law and Social Science. Applicants must apply to the School of Law, but should determine which other department they intend to collaborate with for the degree. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL results.
The candidate must complete at least one academic year in residence in the School of Law after matriculating in the Ph.D. program. The candidate must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours:
- 30 credit hours for law courses
- 30 credit hours for courses in collaborating department
- 30 credit hours for dissertation research
Each Ph.D. candidate will be assigned an advisory committee consisting of at least two faculty members from the School of Law and at least two faculty members from the collaborating academic department. The chairperson of the advisory committee will serve as the candidate's primary academic advisor.
Certificate In Legal Studies
The certificate in Legal Studies program allows participants to immerse themselves in legal coursework for a shorter time than is required by the LL.M. or M.C.L. degree programs. This one-semester program is designed primarily for internationally trained attorneys and law graduates who seek education and experience in the American legal system but whose responsibilities prevent them from committing to a more time-consuming program. The Certificate in Legal Studies is conferred upon the successful completion of 8 credit hours of course work and requires a separate, shorter application form than the one required for the LL.M. and M.C.L. programs. Applicants should specify their interest in this program and submit application materials at least five months before the start of the semester in which they plan to study.
Exchange Program
Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington maintains a number of partnerships and exchanges across continents, including:
- Bucerius Law School (Hamburg, Germany)
- China University of Political Science and Law (Beijing)
- Chung-Ang University (Seoul, Korea)
- ESADE Law School (Barcelona, Spain)
- Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea)
- Friedrich-Schiller University (Jena, Germany)
- Fudan University (Shanghai, China)
- Korea Legislation Research Institute (Seoul, Korea)
- London Law Consortium (London)
- Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia (Monrovia, Liberia)
- Sungkyunkwan University (Seoul, Korea)
- University of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand)
- University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
- Universite Pantheon-Assas (Paris II)
- Warsaw University (Warsaw, Poland)
- Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea)
- Zhejiang University (Hangzhou, China)
Exchange students coming to Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington must complete an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, contact:
- Lesley Davis, Assistant Dean of International Programs: 812-856-5661, leedavis@indiana.edu
- Lisa Farnsworth, Director of Graduate Legal Studies: 812-855-0919
- Lara Gose, Graduate Admissions Coordinator: 812-856-0221, lgradadm@indiana.edu