Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law
525 Main St. Ada, OH 45810 (419) 772-3580
email: LLM@onu.edu
Copyright 2009 Ohio Northern University All Rights Reserved.
Information About the Concurrent JD and LLM in
Democratic Governance and Rule of Law
- The Ohio Northern University College of Law offers a unique program for a limited number of highly qualified students with a strong background or interest in working for rule of law, human rights, and development in transitional countries around the world. The selected students will spend three years sharing experiences with the international graduate students while earning both the J.D. and LL.M. degrees.
- The six-year old Democratic Governance and Rule of Law LL.M. at Ohio Northern University has achieved great success and recognition in bringing young lawyers from transitional nations to ONU for a year of intensive study. This year’s class includes students from Afghanistan, Georgia, Kosovo, Philippines, Tanzania, and Tajikistan. The unique program includes specialized courses, a variety of field trips, highly focused weekend seminars, and distinguished visiting speakers.
- The fourth class of concurrent students enrolled in Fall 2011 and began taking courses with the international LL.M. students from their first semester in law school. Concurrent students also participate in many of the international LL.M. social and cultural activities as well as joint studies.
- The concurrent students must complete two summer externships and two three-week January term courses to receive both degrees.
- The two summer externships, one in the United States and one overseas, with governmental and non-governmental international organizations, provide unique, practical exposure to the field and allow the students to make valuable contacts. Because the LL.M. Program arranges for the placements, the students will have access to opportunities otherwise unavailable to them.
- Overseas extern placements have included a judicial reform project in Georgia, a legal profession training project in Liberia, legislative and regulatory review projects in Rwanda, a business environment reform project as well as the Ministry of Justice in Kosovo, and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Reform in Uganda.
- Domestic externships have been in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Georgia and other cities around the U.S. Placements have been at partner organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the Urban Institute’s Center on International Development and Governance, Transparency International, CARE USA, Save the Children, and Free the Slaves.
- The concurrent students receive both degrees at the end of their third year, unlike other joint degree programs where students must return after the bar exam to complete another semester to get the LL.M.
- The concurrent degree and summer externships provide a unique education in international democracy and the rule of
law. The global contacts and experience of the LL.M. faculty, staff, and alumni will help with placement opportunities for the graduates that would be difficult to duplicate at another law school.
Click Here to Apply!
Click here to view the concurrent course schedule
