BEASLEY SCHOOL OF LAW

About the Program

The Transnational Law LLM degree is grounded in international and comparative law coursework and requires a period of study abroad. Applicants must have completed a first degree in law in English in a common law country. International applicants with a civil law education background should apply to the general LLM for foreign-trained lawyers.

Transnational Law LLM students gain the skills and knowledge to compete successfully in a world wherein the practice of law is no longer limited by national borders. Our graduates are knowledgeable about international legal doctrines, adept at dealing with multiple legal systems, and familiar with other cultures.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years following initial enrollment

Campus Location: Main and a required study abroad location, as identified below

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: Coursework completed in earning the Transnational Law LLM degree may be applied toward the Juris Doctor (JD) for those currently enrolled as JD students. These students may qualify for the JD/LLM degree. While this is not a concurrent degree, current JD students may earn up to half of the credits toward the LLM degree. A JD/LLM student who earns 88 credits, the minimum number of credits required for a JD degree, may apply up to six credits from eligible international law courses, exclusive of International Law, toward an LLM. For each additional credit a student earns beyond the minimum number of credits for a JD degree, the student can apply one more credit from eligible international courses toward an LLM, up to a maximum of 12 credits.

Study Abroad: While pursuing the Transnational Law LLM degree, students are required to study abroad during the Spring semester in Tokyo at Temple University Japan or over the Summer semester at the Temple University Rome campus. Alternately, students may spend a semester abroad at a foreign law school outside of Temple University through one of our Semester Exchange Partner Schools.

Areas of Specialization: Coursework for this degree is limited to international and comparative law. Credits in U.S. domestic law are not eligible to count toward the degree. The curriculum is not designed to satisfy U.S. bar exam requirements.

Job Prospects: Graduates may have an advantage in procuring employment that requires international law study and experience.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students must be matriculated in the program to take courses.

Financing Opportunities: The Transnational Law LLM degree program does not have a scholarship program. Tuition and cost information is available at https://law.temple.edu/about/tuition/. For financial aid information, visit https://law.temple.edu/resources/financial-aid/graduate-international/.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: June 1
Spring: November 1

Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis and are encouraged to apply as early as possible while space is available in the program. Payment of the $50 application fee may be remitted directly to Temple Law by check or money order payable to "Temple University."

APPLY ONLINE to this program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 1

From Whom: The reference letter may be written by a professor or employment supervisor and should candidly evaluate the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional skills. Relevant work experience may also be considered evidence of potential for graduate study.

Degree Required for Admission Consideration: A Juris Doctor or equivalent first degree in law from an English common law country is required. Official law transcripts must be submitted either electronically or as hard copy received in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution, with English translation if needed.

Statement of Goals: Outline your interest in the program in a one- to two-page personal statement. Applicants should explain their interest in graduate study in international and comparative law, as well as any other factors the admissions committee should take into consideration when evaluating their application. The statement should demonstrate your organizational, analytical and writing skills. Thus, applicants should invest appropriate time and effort in preparing this statement. The personal statement is carefully evaluated by the admissions committee.

Resume: Current resume or CV is required.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 24

No specific courses are required, but all coursework taken to complete the Transnational Law LLM degree must be related to international law, as approved by the faculty director.

One course must be a writing course that satisfies the writing requirement.

LLM students who did not previously complete a basic course in International Law are required to take such a course, although this course cannot be counted toward the Transnational Law LLM degree.

Cumulative GPA Required to be Awarded the Degree: 2.5 minimum 

Contacts