LLM

525 South Main Street, Ada, OH 45810-1599, USA
Phone: 419.772.3580 | Website: www.law.onu.edu

Introduction

Founded in 1871, Ohio Northern University is a private university offering a diverse, dynamic learning community with rigorous professional programs in partnership with the arts and sciences. Its 3,500 students study for graduate and undergraduate degrees in five colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Law. Visit the university's website for more information.

The College of Law

Established in 1885, the ONU College of Law has enjoyed a rich and distinguished history, producing many prominent lawyers, judges, professors, diplomats, and elected government officials. Its diverse faculty and administration are committed to the promotion of intellectual discipline and integrity in the study of law. There are approximately 320 law students enrolled, including 30 pursuing the LLM degree. More details are available on the law school website.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The task of establishing and supporting the rule of law and democratic governance is as important today as it has ever been. Whether a country is overcoming authoritarian rule, rebuilding after ethnic conflict, or reestablishing a functional state, the challenges of maintaining or enhancing the rule of law and reinforcing democratic structures continue.

The LLM in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law program at Ohio Northern University has built a strong record of successfully educating lawyers from transitional states, as well as American lawyers and law students who share their passion for making a difference in the world today. This unique program has equipped over 50 lawyers from 24 different countries with new skills to promote and sustain democratic and legal institutions. Both concurrent JD/LLM and post-JD LLM students have shared classes with these international students and completed externships in the United States and abroad with a wide variety of development and law reform organizations.

• LLM for Lawyers from Transitional Countries
  • Unique, internationally recognized program
  • Rigorous, focused curriculum
  • Significant scholarship support
  • 10-month residence at ONU
• Concurrent JD/LLM in Three Years for Highly Motivated Students
  • Receive both degrees in three years
  • Summer externships in the US and abroad
  • Core JD curriculum and highly focused democratic governance and law reform courses
  • Significant tuition scholarships for the JD portion available
• Post-JD LLM for American Lawyers Interested in a Career in International Development and Law Reform
  • Study and live with international LLM students
  • Unique, highly focused course of study
  • Concluding overseas summer externship placement

The Course of Study

The LLM in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law at Ohio Northern University is distinguished by its prescribed curriculum of courses expressly designed for broader understanding of issues confronting transitional states and the best approaches for dealing with them. The program offers unique courses developed after consultation with international leaders in law and governance reform and taught by experienced faculty who are actively engaged in this field.

Courses Required for All LLM Students

• Comparative Administrative Law
• Comparative Constitutional Law
• Competitiveness and Corruption
• International Criminal Law/International Law of Terrorism (alternate years)
• Legal Issues in Transitional Democracies
• Rule of Law Seminar

Additional Courses Required for International Students

• American Legal System
• Legal Context of American Business

Additional Courses Required for Concurrent and Post-JD Students

• International Law
• International Law of Human Rights
• International and Comparative Law of Nongovernmental Organizations
• Domestic Externship (concurrent students only)
• International Externship

Qualifications and Application Process

International LLM Students

The program for international students is limited to 12 students each year. We try to have a diverse group of lawyers representing transitional states with different legal and governmental cultures. They spend their year at ONU living and studying together with the other LLM and JD students.

• Qualifications: International students must have received their basic law degree and have at least two years of professional experience. Priority is given to those engaged in governance and law reform activities, or those who have evidenced a strong commitment to reform efforts. English language fluency as measured by the appropriate TOEFL or IELTS score must be demonstrated. Please see the website for specific requirements.
• Financial Assistance: Full funding for a limited number of international students is available, as well as full and partial tuition scholarships. We encourage all applicants to pursue funding from national and international sources and work with accepted applicants in these efforts.
• How to Apply: The application forms and details about the process, including deadlines, can be found on the LLM website. All of the documents may be submitted electronically. Applicants may submit a copy of their CV for a preliminary review and evaluation of their qualifications for the program to LLM@onu.edu.

Concurrent JD/LLM Students

The concurrent JD/LLM program is limited to six students in each JD class. Students enter the program during their first year in law school and receive both degrees at the end of their third year. They take classes with the international LLM students from their first year and, during the course of their studies, have the opportunity to share many activities with the three classes of international students. The concurrent students must complete two summer externships, the first with a law reform or development organization in the US and the second one with a similar group overseas. The program guarantees externship placement through its extensive network of partners and contacts. Students must also complete the required LLM classes listed above in the "Courses" section, including January term courses during their second and third years.

• Qualifications: Students must be accepted into the JD program at the ONU College of Law before being considered for the concurrent degree program. Selection is competitive and based on the evidenced commitment of the student to pursuing a career in international development and law reform. His or her international background, experience or interests, and any special attributes, such as foreign language fluency, living abroad, or professional activities, are also given careful consideration.
• Financial Assistance: Because of the competitive nature of the program, most of the concurrent students receive significant scholarship assistance for their three years of JD study. Other financial aid may be available for the LLM externships and January terms.
• How to Apply: Those with interest in the concurrent JD/LLM program should first apply for admission to the JD program of the ONU College of Law. Following acceptance, they will complete a short application and personal statement for the LLM program. The application form and other details may be found on the Concurrent JD/LLM Program website.

Post-JD LLM Students

Those who have already earned a JD may be interested in the specialized LLM in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law to give them the opportunity to work in the development and law reform field. The course of study includes two semesters of coursework (see the required LLM courses above) and an overseas externship with a law reform or international development organization. The LLM degree is granted upon successful completion of the externship.

• Qualifications: Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school with a strong interest in pursuing a career in international development and law reform. Their international background, experience or interests, and any special attributes, such as foreign language fluency, living abroad, or professional activities, are also given careful consideration.
• Financial Assistance: Students accepted into the LLM program are eligible for graduate education loans to finance their study. The College of Law provides a scholarship for the six credit hours of externship for those who have successfully completed the required coursework during the academic year.
• How to Apply: Interested students should complete the Post-JD LLM application form found at the LLM website, submit two letters of recommendation, and provide an official transcript of their JD record. Relevant deadlines and other information can be found on the website.

Additional Information

Additional information is available on the LLM website and from the program staff at LLM@onu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing our excitement about this challenging program.

« Back to LLM/Graduate Law Program Guide