10: School of Law

General Information | Admission Information | Financial Aid Information | Career Services
Degree Programs | Academic Regulations | Student Activities and Awards
Annual Law School Awards and Honors | Course Descriptions | Faculty

J.D. Degree | Master of Law and Doctor of Juridical Science | Degree Requirements
Combined Degree Programs | J.D.-M.A. in Economics | J.D.-M.A. in English
J.D.-M.A. in Government and Foreign Affairs | J.D.-M.A. in History
J.D.-M.A. in Philosophy | J.D.-M.A. in Sociology | J.D.-M.A. in Marine Affairs
External Combined Degree Programs in Public International Law | J.D.-M.B.A. Program
J.D.-M.P. Program | J.D.-M.S. in Accounting Program

Degree Requirements

Master of Laws (LL.M.)   The degree of Master of Laws is conferred upon students who, having been admitted to candidacy, have satisfactorily completed at least two semesters of residence and a minimum of 24 credits. With the exception of required first-year courses and graduation requirements, all policies and regulations listed in the Course Offering Directory as applicable to J.D. students also apply to graduate students. At least two credits must be earned in producing a substantial written work of publishable quality, either within a seminar or as supervised research. Foreign students may be required to attend one or more orientation lectures specially designed for them.

Specialization in Oceans Law and Policy   Exceptionally qualified students with proven interests in the field, who are otherwise qualified for the regular LL.M., may be admitted to the LL.M. program with specialization in oceans law and policy. The program, administered by the Chairman of the Law School Graduate Program and the Director of the Center for Oceans Law and Policy, requires the student to complete 30 credits, at least 15 of which must be B or better, as well as fulfill a 12-week externship, normally in Washington, D.C., to be completed in the summer following the second semester in residency.

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)   The degree of Doctor of Juridical Science is conferred upon students who, having been admitted to candidacy, have:

  1. Completed two semesters of residency demonstrating honors ability in a program of work approved by the graduate advisor and including a minimum of six credits of courses or seminars. Formal courses and seminars may be prescribed as deemed useful to the particular student. Normally, the program should include work in Legal Education and Legal Philosophy. Candidates for the S.J.D. degree must usually spend additional periods of time, either in residence or in absentia, before they are prepared for oral examination and the submission of a satisfactory dissertation.
  2. Completed a dissertation which is an original contribution to the literature of law, demonstrating mastery of the principles of scholarly research, critical analysis, and reasoned presentation of results. The doctoral dissertation is normally of book or monograph length or suitable for a series of law review articles, and the subject must be approved by the student's advisor.
  3. Satisfactorily passed an oral examination by a special committee appointed for the purpose. When the dissertation has been approved by the faculty member supervising the student's research, three examiners are appointed to question the applicant orally and report to the law faculty in writing their opinion of his or her work and fitness for the degree.
The dissertation required for the degree may be submitted and the oral examination held at any time within five years after the completion of the required period of residency. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Graduate Committee on showing of cause in writing to the Committee.

Master of Laws in the Judicial Process   This LL.M. degree program was inaugurated by the Law School in 1980 as a special graduate program designed for American appellate judges. The program requires attendance at two resident summer sessions of six weeks each and the submission of a thesis.

A class is admitted to the program only once every three years. The present class enrolled in the summer of 1996 and the next class will enroll in the summer of 1999. Priority in admission is given to judges of the federal and state appellate courts, although trial judges will be considered for admission.

Additional information may be obtained from the Director, Graduate Program for Judges, University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Continue to: Combined Degree Programs
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