Graduate Degree Programs
Georgetown Law offers several different graduate degree options from which applicants may choose, depending on their backgrounds and interests. For more detailed descriptions of the content and curriculum requirements of each of the degree options, please visit the Office of Graduate Programs website. Below, you will find the eligibility requirements, as well as the application requirements and procedures for each of the degree options.
Graduate Certificate Programs
LL.M. students who wish to further specialize may wish to pursue a Certificate along with their LL.M. degree. Georgetown Law offers certificates in International Human Rights Law, National Security Law, WTO Law, Employee Benefits Law, and Estate Planning Law. With the exception of the Employee Benefits Law and Estate Planning Law Certificates (which can be completed as stand-alone certificate programs), the certificates must be done in conjunction with one of the LL.M. degree programs. Students may earn only one Certificate during their LL.M. studies. For more detailed descriptions of the courses required to complete each certificate, please see the Office of Graduate Programs website.
General Admission Requirements
Candidates for all LL.M. programs must have graduated from either (a) a U.S. law school that is approved by the American Bar Association or (b) a law school in another country if the level of study is equivalent to the American JD.
Lawyers Educated Outside of the U.S.
Applicants who studied law outside the United States must have completed legal study at a level equivalent to the American JD, i.e., have received a degree in law sufficient to allow one to sit for a bar examination and/or practice as a lawyer within the applicant’s home country. For example, candidates who studied in France will have completed the Master I or the Maitrise; German candidates must have obtained the results of the First State Examination; Japanese applicants will hold either the LL.B. or the post-graduate degree in law under the new legal education system; Mexican candidates will hold the Licenciado en Derecho. Preference in the admissions process is given to those applicants with full-time legal work experience after the completion of studies.
U.S. Educated Lawyers
U.S. trained candidates for the LL.M. and/or Certificate programs must be graduates of a law school approved by the American Bar Association. In addition, specific criteria apply to particular programs (see below).
Application Checklists, Requirements & Procedures
Follow the links below to find the specific application checklists, prerequisites and admissions procedures for each degree program, certificate and fellowship.
All Lawyers
may apply to the following Graduate Programs, Certificate Programs and fellowship:
Master of Laws in Global Health
Master of Laws in Global Health and International Institutions (LL.M. degree offered jointly with IHEID in Geneva, Switzerland)
Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation
Master of Laws in Taxation
Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law
Future Law Professors ProgramDoctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
M.I.A./LL.M.*Certificate in National Security Law
Certificate in International Human Rights Law
IIEL World Trade Organization (WTO) Certificate
Lawyers Educated Outside of the U.S. Only
may apply to the following Graduate Programs:
Master of Laws in International Legal Studies
Master of Laws (general studies)
Two-Year LL.M.
U.S. Educated Lawyers Only
may apply to the following Graduate Programs, Certificate Programs and fellowships:
Master of Laws (individualized)
JD/LL.M. in TaxationCertificate in Employee Benefits Law
Certificate in Estate PlanningGraduate Tax Scholars Fellowship Program
COST Fellowship Program
