The Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) programs are open to both domestic and international students. Participants may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The LL.M. program provides a rigorous academic program to advance the legal training of those who already hold a J.D., LL.B. or an equivalent law degree. The M.J. program provides an equivalent academic program, without the opportunity for licensure to practice law, for students who do not have a law degree.
The M.J. in Legal Doctrine and Analysis is only offered after a student has successfully completed the first-year required J.D. curriculum.
AdmissionAdmission to the LL.M. or M.J. program, with the exception of the M.J. in Legal Doctrine and Analysis is based on the:
- applicants academic record;
- applicants professional accomplishments; and
- recommendations from persons with knowledge of the applicant’s capability to participate in a rigorous graduate-level academic program.
Applicants must submit all of the following items:
- a brief statement of interest in the Michigan State University’s College of Law LL.M. or M.J. program. The statement may be one or two pages in length and should be a sample of professional writing sufficient to demonstrate comprehension of writing skills in English.
- two or more letters of recommendation.
- transcripts indicating degrees earned. Unofficial transcripts may be sent with your application, however official transcripts must be received prior to enrollment. If the transcripts are not in English, the transcripts must be translated and certified or notarized. Transcript information will be verified for the College of Law by an independent transcript evaluation service.
- the scores from an English Language Proficiency test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Unofficial test results may be sent; however, official scores must be received prior to enrollment.
International applicants must provide evidence of sufficient financial support to fulfill the program, including tuition, books, medical insurance and living expenses during the program, and proof of medical insurance.
LL.M. and M.J. in Global Food Law
Both degree programs are offered entirely online and are designed for working professionals in the food and agriculture industry, law, government, and related areas who wish to enhance their working knowledge or to seek careers in the field of international food law.
Academic Requirements
LL.M. students with a prior J.D. degree must complete 26 credits. International LL.M. students who do not have a prior J.D .degree from a U.S. law school must complete 28 credits. M.J. students must complete 30 credits. All students must complete the program within five academic years with a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade-point average.
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1. |
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All of the following courses (11 to 13 credits): |
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LAW |
558B |
Food and Drug Law |
3 |
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LAW |
810D |
International Food Laws and Regulations |
3 |
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LAW |
810K |
Administrative Law: Focus on Food Safety and Labeling |
3 |
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LAW |
811C |
Fundamentals of Food Science and Safety for Lawyers |
2 |
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LAW |
807A |
Foundations of Law and Legal Research |
2 |
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International LL.M. students who do not have a prior J.D. degree from a U.S. law school must additionally complete the following course: |
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Students pursuing the M.J. will complete the following course in lieu of LAW 811C: |
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LAW |
807A |
Foundations of Law and Legal Research |
2 |
2. |
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At least 15 credits (LL.M.) or 19 credits (M.J.) from the following courses: |
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LAW |
512B |
International Business Transactions |
3 |
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LAW |
512K |
International Commercial Arbitration |
3 |
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LAW |
545K |
Halal Food: An Introduction to Islamic Laws and Ethics |
2 |
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LAW |
566T |
Marijuana Law |
1 |
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LAW |
624 |
Directed Study |
3 |
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LAW |
810M |
Regulation of Agricultural Production and Marketing |
3 |
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LAW |
810N |
Survey of Intellectual Property in Agriculture |
3 |
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LAW |
810P |
Biotechnology Law and Food Products |
3 |
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LAW |
810S |
Current Issues in Food Law Summer Seminar |
2 |
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LAW |
810T |
Advertising Law: Food Focus |
3 |
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LAW |
810U |
Regulatory Leadership in Food Law |
3 |
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LAW |
810Z |
Food Law: Preventing Fakes and Counterfeits |
3 |
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LAW |
811A |
Food Law: Africa and the Middle East |
3 |
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LAW |
811B |
Special Topics in Global Food Law |
3 |
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Additional courses may be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs and Director of the Global Food Law Program. No more than 9 credits may be taken from LAW 810A, LAW 810B, LAW 810C, LAW 810E, LAW 810F, LAW 810V, LAW 810W, LAW 810X, LAW 810Y unless approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs and Director for the Global Food Law Program. |
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LL.M. and M.J. in Intellectual Property and Communications Law
Both degree programs offer advanced course work in a full range of intellectual property and communications law.
Students are strongly encouraged to design their own courses of study with the assistance of their faculty advisors. The LL.M. and M.J. curriculum includes a wide variety of courses and seminars.
Academic Requirements
LL.M. students must complete 24 credits within two fall and spring semesters with a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade-point average. M.J. students must complete 30 credits within two fall and spring semesters with a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade-point average. A longer time period may be granted with a waiver.
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1. |
One of the following courses: |
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LAW |
530D |
Research, Writing and Analysis |
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3 |
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LAW |
530E |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Intellectual Property Perspective |
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3 |
2. |
A minimum of two courses from the following: |
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LAW |
533B |
Copyright Law |
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3 |
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LAW |
533K |
Patent Law |
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3 |
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LAW |
533N |
Trademark and Unfair Competition |
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3 |
3. |
At least 14 credits of course work in Intellectual Property and Communication from a list of approved courses maintained in the Michigan State University College of Law. |
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Additional credits from courses listed below to meet the requirement of 24 credits. Courses used above may not be used to fulfill this requirement. |
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LAW |
504 |
Antitrust Law |
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2 |
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LAW |
533C |
Internet Law |
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3 |
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LAW |
533E |
International Intellectual Property |
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2 |
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LAW |
533F |
Licensing Intellectual Property |
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2 |
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LAW |
533G |
Media Law |
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2 |
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LAW |
533J |
Patent Application Preparation |
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2 |
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LAW |
533R |
Patent Litigation |
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2 |
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LAW |
535D |
Intellectual Property Survey |
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3 |
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LAW |
551B |
Constitutional Law Topics: Free Expression |
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2 |
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LAW |
558S |
Biotechnology Law Seminar |
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2 |
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LAW |
609 |
Sports Law |
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2 |
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LAW |
624 |
Directed Study |
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1 to 4 |
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LAW |
625A |
Law Externship |
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3 |
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LAW |
630T |
Great Lakes First Amendment Law Clinic I |
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4 |
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Additional relevant MSU Law or MSU courses may be used with approval by the student’s faculty advisor. |
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LL.M. in the American Legal System
For many attorneys around the world, the successful practice of law requires an understanding of the American legal system. The LL.M. program in the American Legal System is designed exclusively for foreign-educated lawyers who want to advance their careers with knowledge of the laws and regulations of the United States.
Academic Requirements
All students must complete 24 credits within two academic years with a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade-point average. A longer time period may be granted with a waiver.
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1. |
One of the following courses: |
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LAW |
530D |
Research, Writing and Analysis |
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3 |
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LAW |
530E |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Intellectual Property Perspective |
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3 |
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LAW |
530N |
Research, Writing, and Analysis: Criminal Law Perspective |
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3 |
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LAW |
530Q |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Social Justice Perspectives |
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3 |
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Other Research, Writing, and Analysis courses may be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs. |
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2. |
Two of the following courses: |
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LAW |
500F |
Criminal Law |
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3 |
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LAW |
500G |
Property |
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4 |
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LAW |
500M |
Business Enterprises |
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3 or 4 |
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LAW |
500N |
Constitutional Law II |
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4 |
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LAW |
500R |
Torts I |
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4 |
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LAW |
530B |
Contracts |
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4 |
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LAW |
532 |
Administrative Law |
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2 or 3 |
3. |
Electives: Complete additional electives to achieve 24 credits by designing a curriculum in consultation with the student’s academic advisor based upon the student’s professional needs and interests using the standard set of classes offered to current J.D. students. |
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M.J. in Legal Doctrine and Analysis
This program is designed to give current J.D. students who do not plan to complete the J.D. program the opportunity to receive the M.J. degree after successfully completing the first-year J.D. curriculum.
Admission
Students must meet the admission criteria for the Juris Doctor (J.D.).
Academic Requirements
All students must complete the following:
LAW |
500F |
Criminal Law |
3 |
LAW |
500G |
Property |
4 |
LAW |
500R |
Torts I |
4 |
LAW |
530A |
Civil Procedure |
4 |
LAW |
530B |
Contracts |
4 |
LAW |
530J |
Advocacy |
2 |
LAW |
530K |
Foundations of Law |
0 |
LAW |
530S |
Constitutional Law and the Regulatory State |
4 |
LAW |
624 |
Directed Study |
2 |
One of the following courses: |
LAW |
530D |
Research, Writing and Analysis |
3 |
LAW |
530E |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Intellectual Property Perspective |
3 |
LAW |
530N |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Criminal Law Perspective |
3 |
LAW |
530Q |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Social Justice Perspective |
3 |
Other courses may be used to satisfy the 30-credit hour requirement, subject to approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. |
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