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For International Lawyers

Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property & Technology Law

Advance your expertise in international intellectual property law through our specialized one-year program designed for JD graduates and experienced IP attorneys seeking comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and global IP practice.

Program Overview

The LLM degree in Intellectual Property and Technology Law is a one-year graduate degree program that responds to the demand for knowledgeable and skilled intellectual property professionals who have already earned a basic law degree. The IP/TL curriculum allows students to study introductory and advanced intellectual property law and to scrutinize the politics affecting those areas of the law under the guidance of leading scholars in the field.

Students participate in practical skills courses taught in small groups by teams of experienced intellectual property lawyers. WashU Law offers students a wide range of opportunities to explore the many facets of intellectual property law including conferences, symposia, speaker programs, and involvement in related student organizations and competitions.

Who Should Apply

The IP/TL LLM student body is drawn from two distinct sources:

  • International IP Attorneys with experience who want to broaden their IP knowledge to include U.S. and international intellectual property law.
  • U.S. JD Graduates who desire to focus their legal expertise through one year of intensive study of intellectual property law.

Degree Requirements

To earn the LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, students must successfully complete 24 credit hours of courses, with 15 credits required from the IP/TL curriculum.

International Students: Those holding an LLB from a non-U.S. law school are required to take a two-semester course: Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Methods.

Why WashU Law?

Study under leading scholars in intellectual property law while gaining practical experience through small-group courses taught by experienced IP practitioners. Our comprehensive program combines theoretical knowledge with real-world application, preparing you for advanced practice in the rapidly evolving field of intellectual property and technology law.

Located in the heart of the United States, St. Louis provides affordable living and access to federal courts, major corporations, and a collaborative legal community—giving you practical exposure to American IP practice throughout your studies.

FAQs

Your questions answered.

Candidates for the LLM degree must have graduated from an accredited US law school or have earned a law degree from a foreign country. Students holding an LLB from a non-US law school are required to take a two-semester course: Introduction to US Law and Legal Methods.

Candidates must submit:

  1. An application
  2. Official academic transcripts, in notarized English translations, if not provided in English by your university.
  3. Confirmation of English-language proficiency, as in a recent TOEFL, IELTS or other standardized test scores. (WashU Law TOEFL code: 6929) NOTE: Your TOEFL score must be less than two years old at the time you begin classes at WashU Law.
  4. Once admitted, you will be required to present a letter of credit from a bank or other lending institution showing you have sufficient financial support to study in the US. This is part of the visa process

Candidates must submit all materials by May 15 and are encouraged to submit an application as early as possible.

Need-based and credit-based loans are available to full-time students who meet the federal requirements. Merit-based scholarships are also available.

The eligibility to sit for a bar exam in the U.S. is determined by each state, and requirements vary. It is possible to meet the course requirements for a bar exam (for example, New York) while pursuing the IP/TL LLM degree. Students should carefully review bar exam requirements during the degree and course selection process. See ncbex.org for bar information by state.

WashU Law works closely with all admitted students to ensure timely and correct filings of visas. The process of applying for and receiving a U.S. student visa is time-consuming and labor-intensive. We urge you to get your applications in early, and we promise to work on your visa documents early.

For more information about the application process, program curriculum, or admission requirements, please contact:

E-Mail: gradlaw@wustl.edu 
Phone: (314) 935-3346
Fax: (314) 935-7961