HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
THE GRADUATE LAW PERSPECTIVE

The Master of Laws Graduate Program offers advanced law studies and a Master of Laws degree to qualifying lawyers who have received their law degree from a law school outside of the United States. The program builds on the Howard University School of Law’s rich history as a center for creative legal scholarship and advocacy. Graduates are prepared to and expected to make a special contribution to the promotion of the social and economic interests and needs of the developing world , for example by strengthening the rule of law, promoting justice, and contributing to international harmony.

Howard LLM graduates historically have filled roles of importance in their respective countries. Many have assumed high positions in government and in the judiciary. Others have pursued further graduate studies in Doctor of Juridical Science programs. Still others are using their familiarity with the U.S. Legal System as they practice law around the world.

STUDY IN WASHINGTON, DC

The World’s Resources at Your Doorstep

Washington, DC is home to one of the greatest collections of intellectual and physical resources in the world. A regular program of seminars and round tables permits students to discuss current issues and the U.S. system of law with judges, members of congress, ambassadors, and others who help to shape law and policy. The Graduate Program makes a concerted effort to introduce students to the rich tapestry of legal expertise and international policymaking apparatus in Washington, D.C., which is the U.S. capital and the “City of Lawyers”. Field trips take students to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress, local law offices and other points of interest. The facilities of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, are available for Thesis and other research.

Located in the heart of Washington, DC, the School of Law gives students the advantage of its location as they experience and learn from a broad range of activities in our nation’s capital. Few cities in the world can offer such a diverse educational experience. The School of Law gives students a sample of such opportunities. Recent visitors to the campus have included Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, members of Congress, state-elected officials such as the Governor of the State of Virginia, diplomats, partners in major law firms, and respected members of academia.

Within the pleasantly wooded West Campus of Howard University, the School of Law is just off the main thoroughfare of Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington and is one block from Metro subway’s Van Ness-UDC Station.

The LL.M. program tries to maintain a Mentors Program, which pairs students with prominent judges, attorneys, government officials, staff members from international organizations, and leaders in the legal field. When opportunities are available and appropriate arrangements can be made, a student may be offered a period of internship in a private law office, judge’s chambers, government agency, or the like.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard University was founded by an Act of Congress on March 2, 1867. The Charter of Howard University provides for normal, collegiate, theological, legal, medical, and agricultural departments, along with such other departments as the Board of Trustees might establish. Since its inception, the University has grown from a single frame building to three campuses occupying some 75 acres in the nation’s capital. Currently, the University has 17 schools and colleges that embody a tradition of academic excellence. More than 2,000 faculty members teach a student body of over 11,000. The University offers degree programs in more than 200 specialized subjects and doctorates in more than 23 academic disciplines. An array of institutes and centers addresses a number of national concerns, as well as those of the immediate Washington community. In addition, Howard University has a history of involvement with global leaders and development. That history contrinues through the expert, international faculty and student body, the many exchange programs and the programs of te Ralph Bunche Center for International Affairs.

THE SCHOOL OF LAW

The School of Law admitted its first class in 1869. The first 10 Graduates from this class included the nation’s first black woman law student, who became the fourth woman admitted to the practice of law in the United States. Since its founding, Howard University School of Law has retained the very special position for which it was expressly created: to offer educational advantages without regard to race, creed, color, or sex. The goal of the School of Law is to provide professional leadership for the social changes that the United States and the world are experiencing.

The School of Law purposely limits the size of its student body, resulting in a the faculty-student ratio of 1 professor for every ten students. This faculty-student ratio creates a highly personal setting for academic endeavors and fosters close, frequent contacts between professors and students. Students get to know and meet with their professors in an informal atmosphere.

The basic program of the School of Law is the first degree – the Juris Doctor (J.D.) to which 3 years of full-time study must be devoted by students who have completed four years of university studies. The School of Law also offers a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration degree (J.D. /M.B.A), as well as the LL.M. program.

THE MASTER OF LAWS PROGRAM

The Master of Laws Program is designed to take advantage of both the academic strength of the School of Law and the resources available in Washington, D.C. Students observe both academic and practical aspects of the law and legal thought through basic courses and seminars that are supplemented by symposia, roundtable discussions, and L.L.M. forums. At the forums, L.L.M candidates discuss certain aspects of the law in their respective countries and discuss their Thesis research.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Law offers a general Master of Laws or a specialized Master of Laws degree. All degree candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:

• Credits – Earn 24 academic credits.
• Residency – Be registered as a full-time resident for a minimum of 2 consecutive semesters.
• Required Course – Complete successfully the 2-credit course entitled “Introduction to the U.S. Legal System”.
• Required Thesis – Complete a graduate level Thesis
• General requirements – Otherwise satisfy the School of Law’s requirements for graduation.

The Law School offers the option of LL.M. Candidates receiving a Certificate in Comparative and International Law. Candidates who wish to receive the additional certificate must have taken a minimum of 15 academic credits in designated courses in Comparative and International Law. All writing requirements must be completed in that area of study.

GRADES

Grading is on a numerical scale of 50-100. An LL.M. Candidate must maintain a minimum grade point average of 77 (C+). However, LL.M. Candidates must earn a grade of no less than 70 (C) in each course in order to receive credit for that course. There is one special circumstance: the minimum acceptable grade for a Thesis is 80 (B).

COURSE OFFERINGS

Although the School of Law maintains a basic law school curriculum to satisfy its J.D. Candidates, it also offers a range of elective courses that change periodically. An LL.M. Candidate may select from the various courses to design a personalized course of study.

The academic year consists of 2 semesters. Most students register for 12-15 credit hours each semester.

Below are sample programs that indicate the courses that may be selected to develop a concentration in the subject areas. The courses listed are merely illustrations of the classes from which you can select to achieve the required 24 credits. The required courses – Introduction to the U.S. Legal System and Thesis – are not listed but must be added to class schedules.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW

• Comparative Law—3 credits (seminar)
• Conflicts of Law—3 credits
• Contracts—5 credits
• Corporations—3 credits
• Domestic and International Sales—3 credits
• Federal Taxation—3 credits
• International Law—3 Credits
• International Business transactions—3 credits (seminar)
• International Economic Law and Organizations—3 credits (seminar)
• Problems of World Order—3 credits (seminar)
• Thesis—4 credits

HUMAN RIGHTS

• Comparative Law—3 credits (seminar)
• Constitutional Law I—3 credits
• Constitutional Law II—3 credits
• International Law—3 credits
• International Law of Human Rights—3 credits (seminar)
• Race, Law, and Change—3 credits (seminar)
• Civil Rights Planning—3 credits
• Administrative Process and Civil Rights—3 credits
• Thesis—4 credits
• Death Penalty— (seminar)

UNITED STATES LAW—GENERAL

• Contracts—5 credits
• Torts—5 credits
• Property—5 credits
• Criminal Law and Procedure—4 credits
• Evidence—4 credits
• Constitutional Law I—3 credits
• Family Law—3 credits
• Commercial Paper—2 credits
• Sales and Secured Transactions – 3 credits
• Domsetic and International Sales – 3 credits
• Thesis—4 credits

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

An LL.M. Candidate, must have a first degree in law from an accredited law faculty of a foreign law school or an equivalent qualification to be determined by the School of Law’s Graduate Committee, along with a demonstrated high degree of academic excellence and promise.

Before the application can be reviewed, the Director of the Graduate Program must receive the following documents:

• A completed Application for Admission to the School of Law’s LL.M. Program.
  
  
• A brief (2—3 pages) autobiographical sketch that is typed and that describes your professional goals and the role of an LL.M. degree in fulfilling those goals.
  
  
• Official transcripts of your record from both the university you attended as an undergraduate and the institution you attended for legal study. Each institution must send original transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions.
  
  
• An essay in English of 5 typed pages written by you and describing either an aspect of your country’s legal system or your intended Thesis dissertation.
  
  
• For applicants whose mother tongue is not English or for applicants from non-Englishspeaking countries, the results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language Test) Test showing you have achieved a score of 550 or higher. Inquiries about the TOEFL Test should be directed to the World Education Service http://www.wes.org/: TOEFL.
  
  
• Two letters of recommendation as to your character and academic potential for participating in a the Graduate Program. At least one letter of recommendation must be written by a member of your law school’s faculty. Recommendations must be from persons not related to you and must be sent by each person directly to the Office of Admissions.
  
  
• A nonrefundable application fee of $60 in the form of a cashier’s check or money order listing Howard University as payee. No personal checks will be accepted.
  
  
• One passport-size photograph. All applications and supporting documentation (such as letters of reference and transcripts) from LL.M. candidates seeking admission must be received by March 14 to be considered for admission in the Fall Semester and by October 1 to be considered for admission in the Spring Semester. Questions concerning immigration into the United States should be directed to: The Office of International Student Services, Howard University, 2400 6th St., NW, Washington, DC 20059: Phone (202) 806-7517. FAX (202) 806-9194.

EXPENSES

Students who formally apply to Howard University must pay an application fee of $60. Those who are accepted must also pay an enrollment fee of $150 and a deposit of $50. These fees cannot be waived and are not refundable.

Tuition and fees for full-time students are in excess of $17,000 per year. When applicable, there is a late registration fee of $150 and a deferred payment fee of $50.

In addition, LLM Candidates should also expect to spend a minimum of approximately $20,000 per academic year to cover living expenses (such as lodging, meals, transportation, books, and other routine expenses).

FINANCIAL AID

As a rule, the School of Law does not offer scholarship assistance to LL.M. Candidates. When you register, you may apply for a loan or for deferred payment terms on your tuition and fees. For further information, please contact The Financial Aid Office, Howard University School of Law, 2900 Van Ness Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20008; Phone (202) 806-8005 or Fax (202) 806-8564.

You should inquire at the U.S. Embassy in your country about assistance for travel and other expenses.

HOUSING

The School of Law does not provide “On Campus Housing.” There is limited housing on the main campus, which is located approximately 5 miles from the School of Law. However, graduate law students usually are not given on-campus housing. LL.M. Candidates who want assistance in finding housing should write to Howard Plaza Towers, 2251 Sherman Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001; Phone (202) 797-7148.

Correspondence: Direct inquiries about the LL.M. Program to: The Director of the Graduate Program, Howard University School of Law, 2900 Van Ness St, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008;
phone (202) 806-8039 or fax (202) 806-8428. For admission and application information, please contact the Office of Admissions at (202) 806-8008/9.

Nondiscrimination: The mission of Howard University includes providing education for any student, while emphasizing educational opportunities for students who might not other wise have an opportunity to acquire an education of the type provided at Howard. In fulfilling its mission, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, or handicap as it administers its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other University-sponsored programs and employment

LL.M CHECKLIST

• OFFICIAL TOEFL test results showing a result of 550 or higher.
• Two letter(s) of Recommendation.
• A brief (2-3 page) autobiographical sketch.
• Official transcripts of your record from your university and the institution you attended for legal study.
• An essay in English of five (5) typewritten pages, written by you describing an aspect of your Country’s legal system or your Thesis proposal.
• A nonrefundable $60 application fee.
• A Statement of Financial Resources along with your Bank statement.
• A passport size photograph.

revised July 22, 2008