University of Arizona - Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy Program

The University

The University of Arizona is widely recognized as one of the world's leading academic centers for the study of indigenous peoples' cultures, histories, languages, laws, and human rights. The James E. Rogers College of Law has built on these strengths with a program for innovative research, training, and advocacy in Indian law and international law of indigenous peoples, within the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program.

The Law School

The James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona is a nationally prominent law school that has developed a high quality academic program that prepares lawyers for leadership and service throughout the state, the country, and internationally.

The Program

The Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program offers two levels of advanced study: the LLM degree program and a doctoral degree program, the SJD.

The one-year intensive LLM program provides a unique environment that facilitates a rigorous, engaging and collegial approach to the classroom learning experience. As well, the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program emphasizes comparative and international approaches to practice-oriented, faculty-supervised projects, which are central to its clinical program. Students are offered unparalleled opportunities to work with leading scholars and indigenous peoples within and outside the United States, often on ground-breaking cases.

In preparing and training advocates, lawyers, and scholars to meet the unique and difficult set of legal challenges and policy issues in the field of indigenous peoples rights, the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program offers:

- A signature colloquium series featuring internationally renowned indigenous law scholars and practitioners.

- An intensive LLM clinical program and the opportunity to work with indigenous organizations in the United States and abroad on diverse and compelling issues that affect indigenous peoples.

- A broad range of courses examining the challenges facing indigenous peoples in the 21st Century.

Commensurate with its long term commitment to the field, the Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona is the first in the nation to offer the Doctorate of Juridical Science (SJD), the highest degree offered in the field of law, specializing in indigenous peoples law and policy. The SJD program is one of its kind in that it offers candidates an intellectually challenging opportunity for academic specialization in indigenous peoples law and policy through advanced research and the production of original scholarship under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty members. Graduates will be prepared for academic positions and high-level positions at governmental institutions and non-profit organizations. Clinical components of the program foster the connection between practical experience and scholarly development, resulting in direct public service that is attentive to local, state, national, and international needs.

The Faculty

The Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program is led by internationally renowned scholars and teachers in the field of indigenous peoples' rights, Professors S. James Anaya, James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy, and Robert A. Williams, Jr, E. Thomas Sullivan Professor of Law and American Indian Studies and Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program. Other key faculty include Professor Robert A. Hershey, Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law Clinic and one of the country's most experienced clinical educators in Indian law, and Professor James C. Hopkins, Associate Clinical Professor, IPLP Program, who teaches in the areas of native economic development and comparative law of indigenous peoples. These leading scholars and teachers constituting the primary IPLP Program faculty are part of a distinguished group of legal professionals at the Rogers College of Law who are working in the field of indigenous peoples rights and related areas (comparative law, international law and trade, intellectual property, international human rights, environmental law, family law).

Tuition and Fees

The Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy (IPLP) LLM continues to be one of the best values in legal education. The projected tuition costs for the 2004 - 2005 academic year are $12,598 for Arizona residents and $21,578 for non-residents.

Foreign students will be enrolled in a special three-week program in the American legal system, and Research and Legal Writing, beginning approximately July 15th. The fees and living expenses (including books and incidental expenses) for the three week summer session will be approximately $2,000 - $2,500.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid

The University of Arizona Rogers College of Law has recently created two fellowship positions for individuals who wish to combine advanced study in the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) LLM or SJD degree programs with practical training in the areas of indigenous peoples law and policy.

At least two IPLP Fellowships will be awarded each year. Fellows will enroll as students in either the IPLP LLM or SJD program, and, depending on the amount of the fellowship award, will commit to working up to 20 hours a week for the IPLP Program on clinical projects and other program activities. Fellowships will be awarded to individuals with strong academic credentials, and who can bring diversity of thought and experience to the program. Applicants who possess a law degree, are eligible for legal practice in their countries, are proficient in English, and who are strongly committed to practice in the field of indigenous peoples law and policy are encouraged to apply. Fellows will be awarded a full or partial tuition waiver for the academic year, and a stipend ranging from $12,500-$25,000.