LLM in International and Comparative Law

The IU McKinney Masters of Law (LL.M.) program has several missions

• to give currently practicing U.S. lawyers a place to hone their skills and deepen their knowledge base on a specific subject.
• to help licensed lawyers from other countries get to know American law in preparation for passing the Bar in the United States.
• to provide a focused curriculum for legal scholars who are interested in advancing their knowledge in a specific area of law in order to prepare for the S.J.D./Ph.D. in law and an academic career.

LL.M. courses are taught by Judges, Justices, and an Attorney General

Our Master of Laws students come from around the world to study with the best our state has to offer. Courses for the LL.M. program have recently been taught by:

• Justice Steven David, ’82, Indiana Supreme Court
• Justice Robert D. Rucker, Indiana Supreme Court
• Judge John G. Baker, Indiana Court of Appeals (former Chief Judge)
• Greg Zoeller, Indiana Attorney General

As an LL.M. student, you’ll complete a 24-credit program. If you attend on a full-time basis, you can complete your degree in a single year. Foreign students, note that to satisfy visa regulations, you must finish within eighteen months.

However, if you are a domestic student, you have up to three academic years to complete the degree requirements, and can take classes on a part-time or evening basis.

Mission Statement

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law resides on Indiana’s urban research and health sciences campus. As the only law school in our vibrant capital city, we are committed to accessibility, affordability, diversity, and excellence in public legal education. The McKinney School of Law serves its students and society as a center of legal education and scholarly inquiry. Our students pursue a rigorous course of study immersed in an environment of public service and community engagement. By fostering a mature sense of integrity and an awareness of an ever-evolving legal profession, we empower students to succeed as citizens, professionals, and leaders.

International Recognition

The IU McKinney LL.M. Program was recently recognized by the International Jurist who named it on three of its prestigious LL.M. Program Award lists:

• Career Opportunities
• Best Law School Experience
• Best Value

Statement of Educational Objectives

A McKinney graduate will be prepared to:

• Build upon an existing base of legal knowledge and skills to succeed in the graduate’s chosen career path;
• Exercise sound professional judgment and fulfill ethical responsibilities;
• Exhibit a high degree of competence in legal analysis, reasoning, research, and writing;
• Demonstrate acumen in oral communication in the legal context;
• Serve as a leader or contributing team member in professional settings;
• Transition readily to law practice or other government, non-profit, or private sector employment;
• Leverage a network of professional relationships; and
• Appreciate that excellence as a lawyer requires individual, life-long effort.

Why IU McKinney Law?

Making the decision about where you pursue a legal education will impact the rest of your life. At McKinney Law, we think you will find the best possible mix of theoretical grounding and practical training, hard work and fun, in a challenging yet supportive environment.

We offer academic excellence and professional opportunity:

Fantastic Faculty: Professors at McKinney Law are experts in their fields of interest and are eager to help you master legal concepts and learn to “think like a lawyer.” Most have professional work experience in the law prior to teaching, so your coursework will blend theoretical and practical knowledge of the law. Contact faculty to discuss your academic aspirations and career goals!

Rigorous and Innovative Curriculum: After you complete the bedrock of your legal education in your first year, there are a variety of upper-level courses in popular areas, as well as 120 electives each year, including small seminars and cutting-edge topics. Check out all of our course offerings.

Experiential Learning: Learning by doing is a critical component of modern legal education. At IU McKinney, you will have ample opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience. We offer seven live-client clinics, moot court, law reviews, skills training, pro bono work, and a wide variety of externships and clerkships. See how you can put the law into practice. As the only law school in the capital city, our students have priority access to cutting-edge opportunities.

At the Center of It All: Our location in metropolitan Indianapolis—the heart of state government and business—enhances everything about the student experience. This is one of the safest, most eye-catching cities in the country. Sports, art, green spaces, museums, shopping and much more await you in the Circle City.

Affordability and Generous Scholarship Funding: Complete estimated costs for our program can be found on our website. The low cost of our public school tuition combined with the low cost of living in Indianapolis and generous scholarships often make IU McKinney an affordable and attractive option for international students.

Supportive Atmosphere: Our friendly faculty and staff, not to mention our 10,000-plus alumni (meet some of them) who work worldwide in a variety of sectors and professions, want you to succeed and we will do our best to see that you do!