Academic Programs Catalog

College of Law

Master of Laws Programs

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.

Admission
Admission to the LL.M. or M.J. program, with the exception of the M.J. in Legal Doctrine and Analysis is based on the:

  1. applicants academic record;
  2. applicants professional accomplishments; and
  3. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. two or more letters of recommendation.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

1. All of the following courses (11 to 13 credits):
LAW 558B Food and Drug Law 3
LAW 810D International Food Laws and Regulations 3
LAW 810K Administrative Law: Focus on Food Safety and Labeling 3
LAW 811C Fundamentals of Food Science and Safety for Lawyers 2
LAW 807A Foundations of Law and Legal Research 2
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:
Students pursuing the M.J. will complete the following course in lieu of LAW 811C:
LAW 807A Foundations of Law and Legal Research 2
2. At least 15 credits (LL.M.) or 19 credits (M.J.)  from the following courses:
LAW 512B International Business Transactions 3
LAW 512K International Commercial Arbitration 3
LAW 545K Halal Food: An Introduction to Islamic Laws and Ethics 2
LAW 566T Marijuana Law 1
LAW 624 Directed Study 3
LAW 810M Regulation of Agricultural Production and Marketing 3
LAW 810N Survey of Intellectual Property in Agriculture 3
LAW 810P Biotechnology Law and Food Products 3
LAW 810S Current Issues in Food Law Summer Seminar 2
LAW 810T Advertising Law: Food Focus 3
LAW 810U Regulatory Leadership in Food Law 3
LAW 810Z Food Law: Preventing Fakes and Counterfeits 3
LAW 811A Food Law: Africa and the Middle East 3
LAW 811B Special Topics in Global Food Law 3
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.


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.

1. One of the following courses:
LAW 530D Research, Writing and Analysis 3
LAW 530E Research, Writing and Analysis: Intellectual Property Perspective 3
2. A minimum of two courses from the following:
LAW 533B Copyright Law  3
LAW 533K Patent Law  3
LAW 533N Trademark and Unfair Competition  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.
4. Additional credits from courses listed below to meet the requirement of 24 credits. Courses used above may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
LAW 504 Antitrust Law  2
LAW 533C Internet Law  3
LAW 533E International Intellectual Property 2
LAW 533F Licensing Intellectual Property 2
LAW 533G Media Law  2
LAW 533J Patent Application Preparation  2
LAW 533R Patent Litigation  2
LAW 535D Intellectual Property Survey  3
LAW 551B Constitutional Law Topics: Free Expression  2
LAW 558S Biotechnology Law Seminar  2
LAW 609 Sports Law  2
LAW 624 Directed Study  1 to 4
LAW 625A Law Externship 3
LAW 630T Great Lakes First Amendment Law Clinic I  4
Additional relevant MSU Law or MSU courses may be used with approval by the student’s faculty advisor.


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. 

1. 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 Perspectives 3
Other Research, Writing, and Analysis courses may be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs.
2. Two of the following courses:
LAW 500F Criminal Law  3
LAW 500G Property 4
LAW 500M Business Enterprises 3 or 4
LAW 500N Constitutional Law II 4
LAW 500R Torts I  4
LAW 530B Contracts  4
LAW 532 Administrative Law  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.

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.