# 2026-2027 Course Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/justice-democracy-legal-rights/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/

*for the Master of Laws, Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights Concentration*

---

The Illinois LL.M. is designed to prepare students with or without any prior legal training to excel in their professional careers. Foreign-educated students in the LL.M. program are introduced to the U.S. legal system and provided the opportunity  to specialize in their own area of academic or professional interest.  U.S.-trained lawyers can also enhance their legal expertise to meet their professional and career goals in the LL.M. program.

## **Admission**

The Graduate College [admission requirements](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply) and [English language proficiency requirements](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c) apply. In addition for the LL.M. program, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement is 80 internet-based. Students are not required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students are admitted on an individual basis according to a review of their prior accomplishments with an emphasis on academic achievement. Admission is generally made for the fall semester only.

## **Financial Aid**

Applicants to the College of Law graduate programs are welcome to apply for scholarship assistance. Scholarships typically are awarded to applicants with a combination of excellent academic and professional credentials and proven financial need. Awards usually provide part of tuition and do not cover living expenses. There are always more qualified applicants than there are funds available. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to explore alternative sources of funding.

*for the Master of Laws, Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights Concentration*

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Each Concentration offers a directed, optional program of study for LL.M. students in an increasingly important field of global legal practice. Each Concentration provides (1) specialized training in the Concentration field of law, (2) guidance to students in developing a program of study with the courses deemed most useful and relevant to the Concentration, and (3) a Concentration designation on their transcripts that will better allow them to market their expertise. Students interested in remaining in residence for a third semester to complete their program of study must apply by the listed deadline at the start of the second semester of the LL.M. degree. The Concentrations require students to complete a minimum of fourteen credit hours in topics integral to each Concentration. Courses taken toward a Concentration will count toward the student’s LL.M. degree.

For additional details and requirements refer to the College of Law's [graduate degree requirements](https://law.illinois.edu/academics/degree-programs/llm-program/) and the [Graduate College Handbook](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/gradhandbook/).

## Master of Laws Requirements

Course List

     | Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [LAW 500](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20500 "LAW 500") | LLM Legal Writing and Research | 2 |
| [LAW 501](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20501 "LAW 501") | Professional Responsibility | 3 or 4 |
| Electives selected from any College of Law course in consultation with the advisor. | | 26-27 |
| Total Hours | | 32 |

#### Other Requirements

Grad Other Degree Requirements

 | Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Other requirements may overlap |  |
| Minimum 500-level (or higher) Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| A concentration is not required. |  |
| One academic year in residence |  |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |

### Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights Concentration Requirements

Courses taken toward the Concentration will count toward the student’s LL.M. degree, and must be selected with the program advisor. In some instances, a Dual Concentration (i.e., in Intellectual Property and Justice, Democracy and Legal Rights) is available to eligible students. Eligible students must apply to pursue the Dual Concentration and may stay in residence an additional semester so that the 14-credit requirements of the second Concentration can be independently met. In the case of the Dual Concentration, credits used to satisfy one Concentration cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for a second Concentration.

Course List

     | Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [LAW 606](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20606 "LAW 606") | Constitutional Law I | 4 |
| Select at least ten hours of coursework from the courses below: | | 10 |
| [LAW 605](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20605 "LAW 605") | Criminal Proc: Investigation |  |
| [LAW 616](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20616 "LAW 616") | Environmental Law and Pol I |  |
| [LAW 620](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20620 "LAW 620") | Health Law Policy |  |
| [LAW 657](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20657 "LAW 657") | International Human Rights Law |  |
| [LAW 660](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20660 "LAW 660") | Individual Employee Rights |  |
| [LAW 662](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20662 "LAW 662") | Labor Law I |  |
| [LAW 664](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20664 "LAW 664") | Employment Discrimination |  |
| [LAW 667](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20667 "LAW 667") | Family Law |  |
| [LAW 670](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20670 "LAW 670") | Elder Law |  |
| [LAW 685](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20685 "LAW 685") | Dispute Resolution |  |
| [LAW 686](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20686 "LAW 686") | Remedies |  |
| [LAW 792](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20792 "LAW 792") | Current Legal Problems |  |
| [LAW 795](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20795 "LAW 795") | Adv Topics in Criminal Law |  |
| [LAW 796](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20796 "LAW 796") | Comparative Law Topics |  |
| [LAW 798](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=LAW%20798 "LAW 798") | Seminars |  |
| Total Hours | | 14 |

---

## **Graduate Degree Programs in the College of Law**

- [Master of Laws, LLM](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/)
  - concentrations:
    - [Corporate Law, Commercial Law, & Trade](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/corporate-commercial-trade/)
    - [Criminal Law](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/criminal/)
    - [Intellectual Property & Technology Law](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/intellectual-property-technology/)
    - [International & Comparative Law](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/international-comparative/)
    - [Justice, Democracy, & Legal Rights](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/graduate-majors/law/justice-democracy-legal-rights-concentration/)
    - [Regulation, Sustainability, & Compliance](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/graduate-majors/law/regulation-sustainability-compliance-concentration/)
    - [US Legal Practice Skills](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-laws-llm/legal-practice-skills/)
- [Master of Studies in Law](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/master-studies-msl/)
- [Doctor of the Science of Law](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law/science-law-jsd/)
- [Law, JD](https://catalog.illinois.edu/professional-programs/jd_law/)
  - Joint Degrees with the Law, JD:
    - [Chemistry, MS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las_law/joint-degree/chemistry-ms-law-jd/)
    - [Computer Science, MCS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/engineering_law/joint-degree/computer-science-mcs-law-jd/)
    - [Human Resources and Industrial Relations, MHRIR](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law_ler/joint-degree/human-resources-industrial-relations-mhrir-law-jd/)
    - [Journalism, MS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/law_media/journalism-ms-law-juris-doctor/)
    - [Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, MS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/aces_law/joint-degree/natural-resources-environmental-sciences-ms-law-jd/)
    - [Political Science: Civic Leadership, MA](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las_law/joint-degree/political-science-ma-civic-leadership-law-jd/)
    - [Political Science, PhD](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/las_law/joint-degree/political-science-phd-law-jd/)
    - [Urban Planning, MUP](https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/faa_law/joint-degree/urban-planning-mup-law-jd/)

*for the Master of Laws, Justice, Democracy, and Legal Rights Concentration*

---

## **College of Law**

Dean of the College: Jamelle Sharpe\
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs: Margareth Etienne\
Correspondence and Admission Information: Christine Renshaw, Office of Graduate and International Programs\
[College of Law website](https://law.illinois.edu/)\
[College of Law faculty](https://law.illinois.edu/faculty-research/faculty-profiles/)\
244 Law Building, 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820\
(217) 333-6066\
[law-gradprograms@illinois.edu](mailto:law-gradprograms@illinois.edu)