THE
Master of Laws
DEGREE for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
LL.M. uidaho.edu/ui-law
Welcome to the University of Idaho College of Law Contents LL.M. Curriculum........................ 2 Areas of Emphasis...................... 3 Accessible Faculty..................... 4 Excellence Through.................... 5 Diversity and Inclusion Moscow, Idaho........................... 6 Signature Events........................ 7 Admissions................................. 8
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he University of Idaho College of Law was established in 1909 and accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1925. Every day, as a community of scholars, faculty and staff we continue to grow and work toward our goal of providing the best opportunities for future lawyers. In pursuit of that goal, we have emerged as one of the best educational values in the nation, being named repeatedly as a Best Value Law School by preLaw magazine. And now, with the emergence of our Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, our goal is to strengthen your knowledge of various areas of American law, especially if you plan to sit for a bar exam in states in which it is permitted. For international students looking to specialize in one of the UI College of Law’s curricular strength areas, the LL.M. program also enables you to chart a focused area of study in the legal field of your choice. For international lawyers, this knowledge and the accompanying degree are designed to advance your legal career whether you plan to work abroad or conduct business with American companies, governments and organizations. The degree also prepares you to participate in rule of law initiatives in your home country. I’m excited you’re learning more about the University of Idaho’s LL.M. program. If you want to know more about our plans for the future or have any other questions, please visit our web site or contact me directly. This is an exciting time at the College and we hope you join us.
Mark L. Adams, Dean marka@uidaho.edu
LL.M. Curriculum Students are able to complete the 24 required credits in a 9-month timeframe, August through May. The program begins with a late summer course called Introduction to American Law and Legal Education during which students select their fall schedule. LL.M. students enroll with J.D. students in the same courses but are graded separately. Our basic form of teaching involves the case method, a study of the actual decisions made by appellate courts. We supplement cases with selected readings that provide key insights into the nature of judicial and legislative processes. Many of our advanced courses provide students with the opportunity for simulated exercises and problem solving. We emphasize techniques that foster student initiative and the development of analytical and communication skills.
Most LL.M. degree recipients will return to work in influential legal, academic and business positions in their home countries. The LL.M. degree also qualifies some graduates to hold positions in the judiciary and certain government legal positions, and other potential points of international influence. The graduates of our LL.M. program may also benefit from their immediate connection to the international network of UI alumni, the degree affiliation of these lawyers with the University of Idaho, and their experiences of learning law in the United States. 2
Areas of Emphasis Students can structure a curriculum around their interests. The LL.M. degree has four emphasis areas aligned with the curricular strengths at the College of Law: • Democracy, Justice & the American Legal System • Natural Resources & Environmental Law
Meet the Faculty Director
• Business Law & Entrepreneurship • Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
The full curriculum for each LL.M. degree emphasis is available under Degrees at uidaho.edu/law/academics.
Bar Exam Qualification The LL.M.’s emphasis on Democracy, Justice & the American Legal System enables students to take a bar exam and become licensed to practice law in the US. While the other emphasis areas do not, these aforementioned areas provide students a focused study in an area of interest. And although Idaho is not a state in which students would be able to practice, New York, California and Washington, among others, would recognize this degree as meeting the educational qualification to sit for the bar exam. Students should consult the desired state bar’s admissions practices and website and carefully follow the instructions posted in order to qualify.
Professional Development Experiential learning and professional development are woven into the fabric of our curriculum, and you will find our commitment to public service evident in everything the College of Law offers. We believe this is essential in providing our students with a legal education relevant in today’s world. The UI College of Law also provides career counseling, résumé review, and guidance to LL.M. students as they pursue their degrees and prepare to return to their home countries.
Dean Jeffrey A. Dodge developed and serves as the Faculty Director of the LL.M. program at the University of Idaho College of Law. As Faculty Director, Dean Dodge will assist LL.M. students with academic, professional and personal needs. In addition to his role with LL.M. students, he serves as Associate Dean of Students for the College of Law and oversees operations for the Career Development, Admissions and Academic Success offices. Dean Dodge teaches international and comparative law topics and has traveled extensively around the world.
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Resources Law Library The Law Library maintains a comprehensive collection to support law students and faculty in their scholarly pursuits. In addition to printed materials, a host of electronic databases are accessible from the Law Library website. College of Law faculty, staff and students have individual access to the LexisNexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law databases. The Law Library subscribes to many other legal and non-legal databases, such as Proquest Congressional, Hein Online, Legal-Trac, Intelliconect and Bloomberg BNA. For more information, please visit uidaho.edu/law/library.
Academic Success Office
Accessible Faculty The College of Law faculty members come from diverse social and legal backgrounds. They include former judges, prosecutors, public defenders, JAG attorneys and attorneys from a variety of private practice areas. Faculty members ensure that the region, nation, and even the world take notice of the College of Law by producing an impressive quantity of high-quality scholarly work. They serve the community by giving their time to a number of worthy causes and strive to expand and improve the curriculum and course offerings. They also dedicate themselves to the success of all students by remaining accessible. For more on the College of Law faculty, including biographical information, please visit uidaho.edu/law/ people/faculty. 4
The Academic Success Office helps LL.M. students develop the tools and skills they need to maximize their law school success. The director, a licensed attorney, leads orientation programs, workshops, small group sessions and individual consultations designed to enhance students’ ability to effectively read, brief, outline and apply the law, and to thrive in the law school environment. The Academic Success Office also provides academic advising and bar preparation assistance. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/law/ academic/academic-success.
Accommodations The University of Idaho Disability Support Services office provides support to students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Students who request assistance must provide adequate advance notice of such requests and must provide appropriate medical documentation to DSS. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/asap/dss. The College of Law also offers classroom and testing accommodations to students where English is a second language. Students will be able to discuss their needs with the Faculty Director of the LL.M. program during orientation.
Excellence Through Diversity and Inclusion Diversity and inclusion are essential components of the UI College of Law and require legal professionalism from all sectors of our community to provide an appropriately respectful learning environment. We value people of all cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, physical abilities, lifestyles, opinions, nationalities, philosophies, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, ages, life experiences and identities. The College of Law upholds a
strong commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, and we strive to foster a community of mutual respect among our students, staff and faculty. Our differences make us a vibrant community of scholars, lawyers and professionals. International students in particular bring an exciting global perspective to our student body.
Moscow, Idaho Safe, Affordable and Friendly The University of Idaho lies tucked among the rolling hills of the scenic area known as “The Palouse,” a region in north-central Idaho recognized by National Geographic magazine for its natural beauty. With a population of over 24,000, Moscow is a friendly college town that offers a safe, family-oriented environment. Moscow has an exciting downtown area, collegiate-friendly nightlife, well-maintained parks, a high-quality school system and variety of restaurants and services. Downtown is a short walk from campus and provides convenient access to dining, entertainment and shopping options, including a local farmers’ market. Moscow supports a rich arts and cultural scene with galleries, theater productions, a Renaissance Fair, dances, concerts and other community events. Pullman, Wash., only eight miles away, is home to Washington State University and additional shopping and restaurants. The Twin cities, Clarkston, Wash., and Lewiston, Idaho, home to the famed Hells Canyon, are 40 miles away, and Spokane, Wash., a bustling metropolitan area of 500,000 people, is 90 miles away. Portland, Ore.; Missoula, Mont.; and Seattle, Wash. are all within a five or six hours’ drive.
Outdoor Oasis Ranked by Outside magazine as a top university for outdoor adventure, the University of Idaho in Moscow offers much to the outdoor enthusiast. The region’s picturesque mountains, lakes and rivers feature miles of trails for biking and hiking, world-class skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and excellent fishing and camping. The University’s award-winning Outdoor Recreation Program helps students enjoy all of these activities with easy equipment rentals and organized group trips.
Affordable Housing LL.M. students in Moscow choose from many affordable housing options. On campus, South Hill Apartments and South Hill Vista Apartments—with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—are ideal for students who are married and/or have children. Elmwood Apartments offer one-bedroom units, with or without a loft, for students who are married or 21 and older. Single students may opt to live in one of the University’s 27 residence halls and living-learning communities. Students who wish to live off campus may rent homes, apartments or condos, new and historic—all at an affordable rate. Many resources are available to help students locate housing. For more information about University housing, visit uidaho.edu/housing.
Signature Events Alan Page
The Bellwood lectures bring prominent and highly regarded international, national and regional leaders to Idaho and to campus. LL.M. students can discuss, examine and debate numerous subjects related to the justice system. Previous speakers have included Morris Dees, cofounder and chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center; Kenneth Feinberg, the nation’s leading authority on mediation disputes; Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Sandra Day O’Connor, Retired Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Juan Guzmán, Chilean Justice who famously took down Augusto Pinochet; and many others. In addition to the Bellwood lectures, the College of Law regularly welcomes to campus the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and other prominent judges and attorneys.
Morris Dees
Sandra Day O’Connor
John G. Roberts, Jr
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
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LL.M. Admissions Details To be considered for the LL.M. program, an applicant must have a first law degree (J.D., LL.B. or the equivalent) from a foreign law school. Admission to the LL.M. program is competitive. In evaluating applications, the Committee takes into consideration the applicant’s grades and rank in law school and other university studies, letters of recommendation, occupational interests, professional and personal accomplishments, and other factors. The program is designed for intellectually curious and thoughtful candidates who come from a variety of legal systems and backgrounds and who have demonstrated an intent to return to their country to contribute to the legal profession. The College is equally interested in applicants pursuing careers in law as teachers or researchers, government service, the judiciary, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and private practice. The following items are required as part of the application process: • Non-refundable $50 application fee • LL.M. application (submitted through the LSAC) • Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly
Service (CAS) Report
• Transcripts from former institutions • Curriculum Vita/Résumé • Personal statement - Not to exceed 3 pages and
including your reasons for wanting to study law at the University of Idaho
• Letters of recommendation - At least 2 are required,
and it is strongly recommended that at least one letter comes from a post-secondary professor whose class you have taken
• Completion of the English language proficiency
requirement:
• TOEFL - 550 on the paper test or 79 on the
Internet test
• IELTS - minimum score of 6.5 • UI American Language and Culture Program -
with a level 6 pass
• Earned degree at an accredited institution OR
successfully completed upper level college courses, both taught and evaluated in English
PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1
Tuition & Fees Our LL.M. program is the only one in Idaho and one of a few in the Northwest and Mountain West regions. Modest scholarships are available to LL.M. applicants and are awarded at the point of admission. For the most up-to-date tuition and fees, visit uidaho.edu/law/admissions/llm-degree.
2015-16 Cost of Attendance Tuition and Full-time Student Fees..................$31,234 Room & Board...................................................$9,902 Books & Supplies..............................................$1,448 Transportation...................................................$1,230
Important Contacts
Miscellaneous & Personal.................................$3,792
University of Idaho Law Admissions llm@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-2300
Total for the LL.M. Degree...............................$47,606 9
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2321 Moscow, ID 83844-2321 (208) 885-2300
uidaho.edu/ui-law