The Maritime Law LL.M. Program comprises of a rigorous study and training experience in the field through a focused theoretical and practical curriculum. The program requires 24 credits completed with a grade point average of 2.3/4.00, of which a minimum of 12 credits must be maritime law courses.
In addition to the courses below, foreign-trained law graduates are required to take two additional courses: An Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Communication and Research. These courses provide foreign-trained law graduates with a foundation in American common law doctrine as well as legal writing and research.
Admiralty Law
This course studies the problems of the maritime industry; the admiralty jurisdiction in the federal system; carriage of goods by sea; charter parties, general average; rights of seamen and maritime workers; collision; salvage, maritime liens; and limitation of liability.
Coastal Law
This course examines the competing interests in the coastal zone, the problems of public and private ownership rights and the conflicts of legal jurisdiction. Shifts in federal policy, as well as varying policy considerations, are explored in depth. Specific state and federal statutes along with environmental concerns are integrated with the policy questions.
International Law
This course examines the law that governs the activities of nations. Included are such topics as what international law is and how it contrasts with domestic law, how international law is created, who is governed by and has rights under international law, how international disputes are resolved, and the role of the United Nations.
Law of the Sea
This course deals with legal regime of the maritime zones recognized by international law and the uses of the oceans while providing an overview of the public international law of the sea. It focuses on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, customary law and recent agreements supplementing the Convention. After a historical introduction, such topics as: the territorial sea, straits, archipelagos, the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf, maritime boundaries, the high seas, the international seabed area, navigation, fisheries, marine scientific research, pollution and settlement of disputes will be examined.
Students can choose from various other maritime courses such as:
Maritime and Coastal Legal and Policy Issues in Miami
Marine Insurance
Maritime Personal Injury
Marine Ecology and the Law
The Legal Environment of the Cruise Industry
Environmental Law
Piracy, Terrorism, and Drug Smuggling in the Maritime Domain
Protection of Living Marine Resources
Research Assistantships & Directed Research
Positions to work closely with a Professor from the program are available. Students may also undertake a directed research project focusing on a maritime law topic under the direction of a faculty supervisor.
Maritime Law LL.M. Experiential Learning
Students in the past have been selected for experiential learning at the United States Coast Guard District Seven Legal, Svitzer, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International.
The Maritime Law Society has sponsored discussions on "Navigating a Career in Maritime Law" with the ABA's Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee.
UM Maritime Law Society
One of Miami Law's most active student organizations, The Maritime Law Society was founded in 1987 to serve as a forum where students, professors, and alumni could discuss maritime related issues as well as participate in Miami’s vast maritime culture.
The Maritime Law LL.M. allows students to hone their specific interest with a choice of two tracks: the Experiential Learning Track and the Academic Track.
Students must choose a track upon enrollment in the LL.M. Program. Students may change their selection up until the relevant deadline in their second semester of studies (Feb. 15 for Spring, Oct. 15 for Fall).
Students who are on the Experiential Learning Track are required to complete one supervised, hands-on training experience in a workplace related to their area of study through
A pre-approved placement in the Maritime Law LL.M. Practicum Program or,
Miami Law's Career Development Office Externship Program, or,
Through a placement that a student secured him/herself and that can be converted into a practicum or field placement. Practicum/externship placements are part-time and range from 1-3 credits (i.e. 40-120 placement hours per semester).
As part of the practicum/externship program, students are required to attend a number of on-campus lectures.
Students participating in the Maritime Law LL.M. Practicum or Externship Programs will be enrolled in the corresponding academic for-credit course (i.e. LL.M. Practicum I or II, Externship I, II or III) during the semester of their placement.
Students on the Experiential Learning Track who are unable to secure a practicum or placement despite diligent efforts on their part may in exceptional circumstances fulfill this requirement by taking additional hands-on lawyering skills courses.
Graduation Requirements
The LL.M. Practicum/Externship counts towards the overall number of required credits for the Maritime Law LL.M. Moreover, students in the Maritime J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree Program may earn Skills credit required for the J.D. degree through the LL.M. Practicum/Externship.
CPT Requirement for Students on an F-1 Visa Only
International students in F-1 status are required to obtain authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from the Department of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to engaging in paid or unpaid practical training.
Students in the Maritime Law LL.M. who are on the Academic Track can fulfill all graduation requirements by taking general, writing or skills courses and are not required to complete hands-on training experiences in a workplace.
Other Relevant Courses
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
The Maritime Law LL.M. Program is flexible and provides a variety of paths toward completion. Students have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and may also choose from a variety of other courses relevant to the practice of Maritime Law from Miami Law's vast general course curriculum. For a full listing of upcoming courses, visit Miami Law's course catalog on CourseLink.
Examples of recently offered RSMAS courses:
Ocean Policy and Development and Analysis
Legal Environment and Business Planning in Aquaculture
