25 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604-2287, USA
Phone: 312.362.8185 | Website: www.law.depaul.edu/llm
Introduction
DePaul University is the largest private university in Illinois and enjoys the advantages of its vibrant, urban setting. Its strong reputation for academic excellence is distinguished by its dedicated faculty, unrivaled professional skills training, and its genuine sense of community.
Located in the heart of Chicago's business and legal communities, the College of Law affords extensive contact with Chicago's legal community. It is within walking distance of the state and federal courts, government offices, and many law firms.
DePaul law alumni include former mayors of Chicago, numerous state and federal judges, and managing partners of Chicago law firms. The college offers full-time, part-time, and summer programs. DePaul is fully accredited by the ABA and is a member of AALS and the Order of the Coif.
Law School Enrollment (Fall 2012)
- Total law school enrollment: 884
- Full-time: 742
- Part-time: 142
Physical Facilities
- Wireless connectivity throughout the law school
- 5th floor: Lewis Center (Microsoft Word, Internet, e-mail)
- 2nd floor: Lewis Center (Microsoft Word, Internet, e-mail)
Law Library
- 4th, 5th, and 6th floors dedicated to Law Library (I-Share, CALI, GPO Access, Westlaw, LexisNexis, Hein Online, BNA, etc.)
- Total volumes: 411,000 (including microfiche)
- Librarians: 8; Support staff: 12
- Seating capacity: 490 seats
- 12 group-study and media-viewing rooms
Housing
Although Chicago has more than 200 distinct neighborhoods, most DePaul law students live in communities near DePaul's main campuses and the city's cultural hub. Popular choices include some of Chicago's most interesting and vibrant areas, such as the Gold Coast/Streeterville, Wrigleyville/Lakeview, Printer's Row/South Loop/West Loop, and Lincoln Park.
University-Affiliated Student Housing
Located in the Loop just south of the College of Law, University Center (UC) offers furnished apartments and suites. Created in conjunction with neighboring Columbia College and Roosevelt University, UC provides an excellent living experience in the heart of Chicago. Amenities include a rooftop garden, multimedia rooms, an exercise center, food court, laundry facilities, shops on the lower level, 24-hour security, and keycard access to the building and elevators.
For students looking for living options in Lincoln Park, 1237 West is a DePaul-affiliated residence complex that houses nearly 600 students. The state-of-the-art building is only steps away from the Lincoln Park campus and public transportation and sports loft-style living, private bedrooms, two study rooms per floor, wireless Internet access, laundry facilities, keycard access, 24-hour security, and indoor parking.
LLM Programs/Areas of Concentration
DePaul offers Master of Laws (LLM) programs in Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, and Taxation. These advanced programs are for attorneys who wish to expand their legal training or broaden their proficiency in one of the four areas of study. The LLM program provides the optimal combination of theory and practice, cross-curricular offerings, and individualized course plans to enhance the educational experience.
Each program is described more thoroughly below. Additional information can also be found on DePaul's website, or by contacting:
Huilan Jin
LLM Coordinator
Office of Law Graduate Admissions
25 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604
USA
Phone: 312.362.8185
Fax: 312.362.5280
E-mail: lawLLM@depaul.edu
NOTE: Lawyers with a foreign law degree who wish to take a US bar examination after graduating from the DePaul program should familiarize themselves with the eligibility and general requirements of the particular bar exam they wish to take.
Health Law
Established in 1986, DePaul's LLM in Health Law is led by outstanding full-time faculty and leading attorneys, the health law curriculum evolves as health care law and technology change, addressing the demand for lawyers with specialized credentials in this field. LLM students also may earn course credit while gaining valuable practice experience through externships. Additionally, LLM students may participate in programs conducted by the Health Law Institute.
Approximately 10 students participate in this program each year.
Intellectual Property Law
DePaul's LLM in Intellectual Property Law is regarded as one of the most extensive programs in the country, and the Center for Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology (CIPLIT), which oversees the program, is an innovative leader in the field. With more than 30 course offerings, the program addresses the need for specialized training in intellectual property and information technology law.
Approximately five students participate in this program each year.
International Law
DePaul's LLM in International Law provides an intensive one-year course of full-time study that emphasizes the theoretical background and practical skills lawyers need to excel in international law practice. (Graduates of ABA-approved US law schools may complete this program on a part-time basis instead.)
Concentrations in five key areas of global practice are available:
- International Aviation Law and Policy
- International Business, Commercial, and Trade Law
- International Cultural Heritage Law
- International Governance and Rule of Law
- International Human Rights Law and Policy and Criminal Justice
The DePaul international law program is designed for both experienced attorneys and recent law school graduates from the US and abroad who wish to
- earn an advanced law degree to assist in the pursuit of a career with law firms, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, and academic institutions worldwide;
- obtain practical and theoretical knowledge of international law and its interaction with the laws of the United States and other countries;
- learn the research, analytical, and communication skills required to succeed in international law practice;
- represent clients engaged in international transactions and relationships;
- establish a network of professional international contacts and clients;
- work with faculty experts in international and US law; and
- interact with students from diverse legal cultures.
Additionally, foreign lawyers and graduates will
- improve English language skills and gain an understanding of the US legal system, and
- earn an advanced law degree from an ABA-accredited US law school, which may allow them to take the bar examination in several US jurisdictions.
Approximately 15 to 20 students participate in this program each year.
Taxation
For more than a quarter century, the LLM in Taxation has offered a comprehensive curriculum that provides instruction in both the substantive and procedural aspects of tax law. Courses range from the basics of personal and business income taxation to advanced problems in corporate and partnership taxation, estate and gift taxation, and state and local taxation. The full-time faculty is complemented by prominent and skilled adjunct faculty, balancing scholarly and practical approaches to the program.
Approximately 5 to 10 students participate in this program each year.
Application Process
- Instructions for Applying (PDF)
- Application available: September 1 through August 31
- Suggested application deadlines: Fall semester—July 1; Spring semester—November 1; Summer term—April 1
Tuition and Scholarships:
- Tuition: $1,455 per credit hour
- Full-time (24 credit hours; 2013–2014 academic year): $34,920
- Applicants are considered for scholarships at the time that they apply. While a limited number of partial tuition scholarship awards may be available, we do not offer full-tuition scholarships. Many of our LLM students finance their studies either fully or partially with loans.
Requirements:
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement (essay)
- Résumé
- Application fee of $40 US dollars. You may submit the $40 application fee by personal check or have someone submit the check on your behalf. Checks should be made payable to “DePaul University, Office of Law Graduate Admissions.”
- Official law school transcript (International applicants, please see below.)
- International applicants:
- Evaluated transcripts are required for applicants with an international law degree: LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service preferred; other recognized evaluating agencies accepted.
- A TOEFL or IELTS score is required for applicants who were educated at a foreign institution where English was not the primary language of instruction.
- Conditional admission is available for students who otherwise have a strong overall academic record, but cannot demonstrate the necessary English proficiency. Prospective students seeking conditional admission can submit the ELA Application Placement Essay instead of the TOEFL or IELTS exam score. For more information, please contact LawLLM@depaul.edu.
Student Organizations
- Advocates
- American Constitution Society
- Appellate Team of the Moot Court Society
- Art and Cultural Heritage Legal Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Business and Corporate Law Society
- Christian Legal Society
- Decalogue Society
- Environmental Law Society
- Evening Law Students Society
- Family Law Society
- Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
- Health Law Society
- Hellenic Law Society
- International Law Society
- Intellectual Property Law Society
- Justinian Society of Lawyers
- Latino Law Student Association
- Law Review
- Law Students for Reproductive Justice
- Moot Court Society
- National Lawyers Guild
- Outlaws—Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Law Student Association
- Phi Alpha Delta
- Phi Delta Phi
- Public Interest Law Association
- Society for Asylum and Immigration
- Student Bar Association
- Women's Law Caucus
- Women's Bar Association of Illinois
Career Services
Alumni, faculty, and students contribute to an active and aggressive career services network. The teaching and publishing reputations of the faculty, as well as the largest alumni bench and bar network in the Chicago area, complement three full-time DePaul law career services officers. Programs offered by the Office of Career Services include:
- One-on-one job search strategy sessions with experienced counselors
- Myriad opportunities to connect with alumni
- Public and private externship opportunities
- Résumé, interview, and professional development skills training
- Public- and private-sector job postings
- On-campus interview program and regional job fairs: patent, public interest, diversity, etc.
- Mock interview and mentoring opportunities
- Judicial clerkship counseling and application support
« Back to LLM/Graduate Law Program Guide