DePaul University College of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to LLM, Master’s, and Certificate Programs
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. DePaul is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and the Order of the Coif.
Computer Facilities
- Wireless connectivity throughout the law school
- 5th floor: Lewis Center (Microsoft Word, Internet, email)
Law Library
- 4th, 5th, and 6th floors dedicated to Law Library (I-Share, CALI, Bloomberg Law, FDsys, Westlaw, LexisNexis, HeinOnline, E-books including study aids, among others)
- Total volumes: 423,942 (including microfiche)
- Librarians: 6
- Support staff: 3
- Seating capacity: 490
- 18 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 Lincoln Park and Downtown/Loop Campuses. 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.
DePaul University—University Center
Located in the Loop just south of the College of Law, the 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 key card access to the building and elevators. For more information, visit http://offices.depaul.edu/housing/housing-options/loop/university-center/Pages/default.aspx
Infinite Chicago
Another option for law students is the Infinite student apartment buildings located directly across the street from the College of Law. Infinite, a private facility, offers fully furnished units that include washer/dryer, designer furniture, stainless-steel appliances, flat-panel TV, and free Wi-Fi and cable. Additional information is available online at www.chicagoinfinite.com. Infinite also has a similar-style building that just opened approximately three blocks away. Please find more information about their new building, Arc at Old Colony, at www.arcatoldcolony.com.
Free Apartment-Finding Services
Another way to find housing in Chicago is to use an apartment locator service. These services are free and can be extremely helpful to new students who are not familiar with the many wonderful neighborhoods in Chicago.
StudentSpace
Affiliated with @properties, StudentSpace is a free apartment locator service that works specifically to help graduate students find housing in Chicago. StudentSpace can even help you secure housing remotely if you are not able to travel to Chicago for your housing search. Additional information is available online at www.student-space.com.
Apartment People
A free service, Apartment People has been connecting renters and landlords in Chicagoland for more than 30 years. Apartment People offers three convenient locations in Lakeview, River North, and Evanston and has hundreds of experienced, licensed leasing agents. More information is online at www.apartmentpeople.com.
LLM Programs/Areas of Concentration
DePaul offers Master of Laws (LLM) programs in Health Law, Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology, International Law, and US Legal Studies. Our LLM programs are designed to provide foreign-trained lawyers and graduates of non-US law schools with an understanding of the US legal system, and to provide US lawyers and law graduates with expanded knowledge and training. You may complete an LLM program through an intensive, one-year course of full-time study or on a part-time basis.
Each program is described more thoroughly below. Additional information can also be found on DePaul’s website, or by contacting
Office of Law Admissions
Attn: LLM Programs
25 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604
USA
Phone: 312.362.8185
Email: gradlaw@depaul.edu
This is important.Please Note
The LLM in US Legal Studies and the Two-Year JD for International Lawyers are the only degree programs offered at DePaul University College of Law that may qualify international lawyers to sit for a US bar examination in selected jurisdictions. Earning an LLM degree in Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, or International Law at DePaul University College of Law does not qualify international lawyers to sit for the bar examination in any state.
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 may earn course credit while gaining valuable practice experience through externships. Additionally, LLM students may participate in programs conducted by the Health Law Institute.
Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology
DePaul’s LLM in Intellectual Property Law & Information Technology is regarded as one of the most extensive programs in the country, and the Center for Intellectual Property Law and Information Technology, 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.
International Law
DePaul’s LLM in International Law provides an intensive one-year course of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study that emphasizes the theoretical background and practical skills lawyers need to excel in international law practice.
Concentrations in three key areas of global practice are available:
- International Business, Commercial, and Trade 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 United States 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, gain an understanding of the US legal system, and earn an advanced law degree from an ABA-accredited US law school.
US Legal Studies
The Master of Laws in US Legal Studies is designed for students who received a first degree in law outside of the United States. It begins with an orientation that introduces graduate students to DePaul’s faculty, staff, library, and computer and research facilities. Students also will participate in special courses introducing them to the differences between civil and common law systems, the foundations of the US legal system, the methods of legal reasoning and analysis, and the basics of legal writing in the US legal system.
Application Process
Suggested application deadlines are as follows:
- Fall semester (begins in August): July 1
- Spring semester (begins in January): November 1
Tuition and Scholarships
Applicants are considered for scholarships at the time that they apply. While a limited number of partial-tuition scholarships 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
- Completed application form. (Applicants are encouraged to apply online; however, a printable application form (PDF) is also available.)
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement (essay).
- Résumé.
- Application fee of 40 USD. 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 the Office of Law Admissions.
- Official law school transcript.
International Applicants—Additional Requirements
- Course-by-course evaluated transcripts are required for applicants with an international law degree: LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service is preferred, but other recognized evaluating agencies approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) are accepted.
- A TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test 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 need to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test exam scores. For more information, please contact gradlaw@depaul.edu.
Student Organizations
- American Constitution Society
- Appellate Moot Court Society
- Art and Cultural Heritage Law Society
- Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
- Black Law Students Association
- Business Law Society
- Child and Family Law Association
- Decalogue Society
- Entertainment and Sports Law Society
- Federal Bar Association, DePaul Chapter
- Federalist Society
- First Generation Law Student Organization
- Intellectual Property Law Society
- International Law Society
- Justinian Society
- Latino Law Student Association
- Law Students Supporting Neurodiversity
- Middle Eastern North African Law Student Association
- Muslim Law Student Association
- OUTlaws
- Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
- Public Interest Law Association
- Society for Asylum and Immigration Law
- Student Bar Association
- Women’s Bar Association
Career Services
Office of Professional & Career Development advisors are all law school graduates with varying practice backgrounds. Each is available for scheduled appointments to assist law students and alumni with resumes, cover letters, interview skills, job search strategies, mock interviews and a wide range of other services. Programs offered by Law Career Services include
- One-on-one job search and networking strategy sessions with an experienced counselor
- Résumé and cover letter review and feedback
- Opportunities to connect with alumni
