J.D. & LL.M. Joint Degree in International Arbitration

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Earn Two Degrees

Miami Law J.D. and LL.M. students have the opportunity to apply to the Joint J.D./LL.M. Program in International Arbitration. The Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration offers the opportunity to earn both degrees at once, saving both time and tuition expense.

Current Miami Law J.D. students may accomplish this in just seven semesters overall.

Current Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students may also receive up to 29 advanced standing credits for their foreign legal studies.* This means that current Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students may earn the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration in as little as three semesters after their LL.M. year.

*The specific number of advanced standing credits awarded will be determined based on a review of the applicant’s application file.

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  • J.D. Applicants

    J.D. Applicants and First-Year J.D. Students Interested in Honorary Admission to the International Arbitration LL.M. in their First Year

    Incoming 1L students may apply to the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration within the first year and become accepted to the program on the "Honorary/Early Admission Track."

    Honorary 1L students in the International Arbitration LL.M. will have the opportunity to participate in all international arbitration luncheons, lectures, site visits and other networking events offered by the LL.M. program in their first year. Students will be able to take international arbitration courses starting in the first semester of their second year. Honorary 1L students will reconfirm their interest in pursuing the International Arbitration LL.M. at the end of their first year, before being formally enrolled as International Arbitration J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree students for their second year.

    Please email the International Arbitration LL.M. Program at iallm@law.miami.edu if you are interested in this option. Please also be sure to indicate your interest in this option by selecting the "J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration" Joint Degree as an area of interest on the J.D. application.

    Michael Rodriguez

    “The International Arbitration LL.M. provided me with a valuable tool set for big firm practice. Because of the LL.M. classes, I was able to help with arbitrator selection in an ICC proceeding and discuss the inclusion of an arbitration clause in a corporate purchase agreement with a Georgian company. I do not believe I would have gained this knowledge without being part of the LL.M. program.”

    Michael Rodriguez (Spain/U.S.)
    International Arbitration J.D./LL.M. '17
    International Arbitration Associate, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, Washington, D.C.

    Contact the International Arbitration LL.M. Program

  • J.D. Students

    Upper-Level J.D. Students Interested in the International Arbitration LL.M.

    For Miami Law J.D. students interested in delving deeper into the field of international arbitration, obtaining an LL.M. in International Arbitration is a way to gain a decided advantage. This option not only provides specialization in an ever-growing legal field, but also saves time and tuition money over earning both degrees separately.

    Students take graduate level international arbitration courses during the second and third year of their J.D. studies. A total of 100 credits is needed to complete both degrees: 76 credits for the J.D. plus 24 credits for the LL.M., with 12 credit hours eligible for application to both degree requirements.

    Joint J.D./LL.M. students must comply with all academic and distributional requirements for the J.D. degree, as well as with all International Arbitration LL.M. graduation requirements. Generally, current Miami Law J.D. students accomplish this in six semesters plus 1-2 Summers, or in seven semesters overall.

    Application to the J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration is a simplified process for current J.D. students. Current Miami Law J.D. students may apply to the International Arbitration Program starting in the fall semester of their second year. Once admitted, students will begin taking graduate level international arbitration courses starting in the spring semester of their second year.

    Begin Taking Graduate Courses

    2L Year

    Shortest Completion Time

    7 semesters or 6 semesters +1-2 summers

    J.D. Credits Required

    76

    LL.M. Credits Required

    24

    Number of Credits Saved

    12

    Application Requirements for Miami Law J.D. Students

    To apply, you must submit the following documents to the International Arbitration LL.M. Program at iallm@law.miami.edu:

    1. Application Form: Submit a completed application form through Miami Law’s Online Application System. This option allows applicants to work on their application in electronic format, save their progress, and continue working at their convenience until submission.
    2. Application Fee: A $50.00 application fee is required, which may be paid by credit card through the online application, money order or check drawn on a bank in the United States payable to the University of Miami. This application fee is non-refundable, and will not be credited toward tuition or any other account in the event of admission.
    3. Statement of Purpose: Applicants must submit a personal statement of approximately 500 words through Miami Law's Online Application System or via email to iallm@law.miami.edu. Applicants should address their own academic and professional background, professional goals, specific interest in the study and practice of international arbitration, and other matters they deem of importance. The personal statement must be prepared by the applicant without any outside help and is to contain a statement to that effect.
    4. Resume: Applicants also must summarize their academic and professional background in a resume or curriculum vitae and submit it through Miami Law's Online Application System or via email to iallm@law.miami.edu.
    5. Miami Law Transcripts: Request a law school transcript from Miami Law's Registrar's Office and send to the International Arbitration LL.M. Program at iallm@law.miami.edu.
    6. Letter of Recommendation: Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation, preferably from a Miami Law professor, stating in detail his/her opinion of the student’s qualifications for graduate law study in the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration. This may be submitted through Miami Law's Online Application System or via email to iallm@law.miami.edu.

    Please note that the $500 seat deposit fee is waived for current Miami Law J.D. students.

    Contact the International Arbitration LL.M. Program

  • International Arbitration LL.M. Students

    Current and perspective Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students who wish to earn the Juris Doctor (J.D.), a professional degree in law, should opt for the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration.

    Foreign-trained lawyers may receive up to 29 advanced standing credits for their foreign legal studies towards the J.D. program.* This means that current Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students may earn the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration in as little as three semesters after their LL.M. year.

    It is recommended that students discuss their intention to apply to the J.D. program with their LL.M. program director early on in their LL.M. studies to make sure their course selection enables them to complete all graduation requirements effectively. Please refer to the J.D. application overview page for further information.

    Students must comply with all academic and distributional requirements for the J.D. degree, as well as with all International Arbitration LL.M. graduation requirements.

    J.D. Application Requirements for Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. Students

    Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students should submit an application for admission to the J.D. program during the first semester of their LL.M. studies and no later than November for students who started their LL.M. studies in the Fall and April for students who started in the Spring

    Application to the J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration is a simplified process for current Miami Law International Arbitration LL.M. students. A separate admissions committee will review each application and determine eligibility to enter the J.D. program.

    The admissions committee takes into consideration the nature of, and grade point average in, classes taken by the applicant while enrolled in the LL.M. program. More details will be shared with the students at the outset of their LL.M. year.

    It is strongly recommended that International Arbitration LL.M. students considering applying to the Joint J.D./LL.M. program take at least one first-year or upper-level American law course during each semester of their LL.M. studies, such as:

    • Business Associations 
    • Civil Procedure  
    • Commercial Law
    • Constitutional Law
    • Contracts
    • Criminal Procedure
    • Evidence
    • Family Law
    • Professional Responsibility 
    • Property
    • Substantive Criminal Law
    • Torts
    • Trust & Estates

    Having completed one semester towards the LL.M. in International Arbitration, students admitted to the Joint J.D./LL.M. in International Arbitration will enroll in additional J.D. courses in their second semester.

    *The specific number of advanced standing credits awarded will be determined based on a review of the applicant’s application file.

     

For More Information

For questions about the International Arbitration L.L.M. Program or any of these study options, please request more information or contact: intl-llm@law.miami.edu.