JD/LLM Joint Degree in Maritime Law

JD Students

Joint JD/LLM students must earn a combined 100 credits (instead of 112 normally required for a JD [88 credits] and LLM [24 credits] degree) with a grade point average of 2.3 out of 4.0 to earn both degrees.

  • When to Apply: Miami Law JD students may apply to the LLM Program during fall or spring of their 2L year, but before the end of the spring semester of the second year.
  • Begin Taking LLM Courses: 2nd of 3rd year
  • Shortest Completion Time 6 semesters +1 summer
  • JD Credits Required: 76 credits
  • LLM Credits Required: 24 credits
  • Number of Credits Saved: 12 credits

International LLM Students

Current Maritime Law LLM students should submit an application for admission to the JD program during the Fall semester of their LLM studies and no later than November 1. It is recommended that students discuss their intention to apply early to the JD program with their LLM program director early on in their LLM studies to make sure their course selection enables them to complete all graduation requirements effectively. Please refer to the JD application overview page for further information.

A separate admissions committee will review their application and determine eligibility to enter the JD program. The admissions committee takes into consideration the nature of, and grade point average in, classes taken by the applicant while enrolled in the LLM program.

Miami Law may award up to 29 Advanced Standing Credits towards the JD to students for their foreign law studies. The specific number of such credits will be determined at the time of admission to the JD based on a review of the applicant’s JD application file. When a student enrolls in the Joint JD/LLM, then he or she needs only 100 credits (instead of 112) to earn both degrees. If a student receives 29 Advanced Standing Credits towards the JD, this means that only a total of 71 credits are needed to complete the Joint JD/LLM In most cases, full time students can complete their remaining credits in three semesters after their LLM year.

It is strongly recommended that LLM students considering applying to the Joint JD/LLM program take at least one first-year law course or one basic U.S. law course during each semester of their LLM studies, such as:

  • Administrative Law
  • Business Associations
  • Commercial Law
  • Civil Procedure
  • Constitutional Law
  • Contracts
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Evidence
  • Family Law
  • Property
  • Substantive Criminal Law
  • Torts
  • Trust & Estates
  • U.S. Income Tax Law

Testimonials

"The contacts I have made in the maritime law field can be attributed to the guidance and support I have received from UM’s faculty, and of course, being situated in Miami."

Danielle Gauer, JD/LLM, Maritime Law
Associate Attorney, Manning Gross + Massenburg LLP
University of Ottawa

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