108-649: The American University Washington College of Law ( AUWCL or WCL ) is the law school of American University , a private research university in Washington, D.C. It is located on the western side of Tenley Circle in the Tenleytown section of northwest Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the AALS . Begun in 1896, WCL was the first law school founded by women,
216-612: A WAVE barracks. For AU's role in these wartime efforts, the Victory ship SS American Victory was named in its honor. The post-World War II period saw considerable growth and restructuring of AU. In 1947, the Washington Semester Program was established, pioneering the concept of semester-long internships in the nation's capital. In 1949, the university merged with the Washington College of Law , which began in 1896 as
324-509: A 5,000-seat arena, and an outdoor amphitheater . The campus has been designated a public garden and arboretum by the American Public Gardens Association , with many foreign and exotic plants and trees dotting the landscape. Housing is guaranteed for two years. Most freshman and sophomore students choose to live on campus. First-year students are not required to live on campus. The university added 590 beds in 2017 with
432-617: A consortium loan service between member institutions and has a shared collections site in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The Library's Archives and Special Collections houses unique and rare materials and information on the institution's history. The University Archives is the repository for papers and other documents, including sound recordings and photographs, spanning more than a century of the university's history. Special Collections houses rare materials. AU has over 150 recognized organizations on campus, ranging from political to social. There
540-493: A fifth of students are international. American University is among the top three feeder schools to the Department of State. It is classified among " R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity ". The university owns National Public Radio 's flagship capital affiliate, WAMU , which has been a source of nationally and internationally distributed programming such as The Diane Rehm Show and 1A . American University
648-750: A first degree in law onto their LL.M. programme. Examples of such programmes include the Master of Studies in Legal Research at Oxford, the LL.M. degrees at the University of Edinburgh and LL.M.s at the University of Leicester In addition, Queen's University Belfast offers an LL.M. suite, accessible to legal and social science graduates, leading to specialisms in sustainable development, corporate governance, devolution or human rights. Northumbria University offers an approach to
756-611: A half years if students take the required credits in time. The flagship of the China-EU School of Law (CESL) in Beijing is a Double Master Programme including a Master of Chinese Law and a Master of European and International Law. The Master of European and International Law is taught in English, open for international students and can be studied as a single master programme. CESL also offers an International Master of Chinese Law (IMCL) which
864-518: A lease in 1909 in the Chesley Building on New York Ave until the school outgrew the six-classroom lease. The school moved to its first permanent home in 1920, the former residence of Robert G. Ingersoll on K Street. Continually growing, WCL moved in 1924 to the former home of Oscar Underwood and former residence of Archibald Butt . WCL merged with American University in 1949 and graduated its first African American student in 1953. The Women &
972-403: A long-time AU administrator, was appointed interim president. On September 1, 2007, Kerwin was appointed to the position permanently after two outsiders declined an offer from the board of trustees. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education , Ladner received total compensation of $ 4,270,665 in his final year of service, the second-highest of any university president in the nation. Ground
1080-680: A part-time basis at many institutions and in some circumstances by distance learning . Some providers of the Bar Professional Training Course and the Legal Practice Course also allow the student to gain an LL.M. qualification on top of these professional courses by writing a dissertation . The UK offers over 1000 different LL.Ms. Large law faculties such as Queen Mary University of London offer multiple different programs, whilst other such as Aston University simply offer one program. Some institutions allow those without
1188-463: A professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in a related subject. In most jurisdictions, the LL.M. is the advanced professional degree for those usually already admitted into legal practice. To become a lawyer and practice law in most states and countries, a person must first obtain a law degree. In most common law countries, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is required. In the United States,
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#17328585807181296-536: A professional network. Some associations provide LL.M. degree holders with structures designed to strengthen their connections among peers and to access a competitive business environment, much like an MBA degree . In Australia , the LL.M. is generally only open to law graduates. However, some universities permit non-law graduates to undertake variants of the degree. There are nearly 100 LLM courses in Australia across 25 institutions taught in English. Unique variants of
1404-674: A recognised legal qualification, generally an undergraduate degree in Laws or equivalent. They do not have to be or intend to be legal practitioners. An LL.M. is not required, nor is it a sufficient qualification in itself to practise as a solicitor or barrister , since this requires completion of the Legal Practice Course , Bar Professional Training Course , or, if in Scotland, the Diploma in Legal Practice . As with other degrees, an LL.M. can be studied on
1512-477: A related field. Full-time LL.M. programs usually last one year and vary in their graduation requirements. Most programs require or allow students to write a thesis . Some programs are research oriented with little classroom time, while others require students to take a set number of classes. LL.M. degrees are often earned by students wishing to develop more concentrated expertise in a particular area of law. Pursuing an LL.M. degree may also allow law students to build
1620-499: A thesis that makes a significant contribution to their field of research. Course-based LL.M. degrees do not require a significant research paper. An LL.M. can be studied part-time, and at some schools, through distance learning. LL.M. degrees can be general, or students can choose to pursue a specialized area of research. Foreign trained lawyers who wish to practice in Canada will first need to have their education and experience assessed by
1728-518: Is a literary magazine founded in 1984 and based at American University. It publishes fiction, poetry , and creative nonfiction twice each year. Folio has printed interviews with prominent writers, most recently Ann Beattie , Alice Fulton , Leslie Pietrzyk , Gregory Orr , and Adam Haslett . Work that has appeared in Folio was short-listed for the Pushcart Prize multiple time in the 1980s. Among
1836-477: Is also home to a unique program known as the Washington Semester Program. This program partners with institutions around the world to bring students to AU for a semester. The program operates as part of the School of Professional & Extended Studies . The program combines two seminar courses three days a week with a two-day-per-week internship that gives students a unique look at Washington, D.C. Admission to American
1944-584: Is an LL.M. in Chinese law taught entirely in English. Beijing Foreign Studies University has launched an online LLM for international professionals. The course is taken over two years, with the first covering online lessons through video and assignments, the second year is for the dissertation and an online defense is required at the end. Students are required to attend Beijing for an introductory week in September to enroll and meet students and staff. Students also have
2052-541: Is an example of one of a few LLM courses that help to prepare students for the professional exams. The LL.M. is available at China University of Political Science and Law, and the entrance requirements are: native English competency, or near native English, with any bachelor's degree. The program is flexible and allows students to study Mandarin and assists with organizing work experience in Beijing and other cities in China. It normally takes two years, but can be completed in one and
2160-488: Is an internationally top-ranked Model United Nations team (ranking 1st in North America following the 2021–2022 academic year). The team competes actively at intercollegiate tournaments, and also hosts "AmeriMUNC" (American Model United Nations Conference) a yearly High School Model UN competition on campus. American University Student Government (AUSG) is the governing body of the student population and has been ranked as
2268-768: Is being given at the master's level of legal education in India. With the establishment of these universities, focus in specialization has been shifted to newer areas such as corporate law , intellectual property law , international trade law etc. LL.M programs in India were previously two years in duration but presently typically last one year. A number of universities and colleges in Ireland offer LL.M. programs, such as Dublin City University , Trinity College Dublin , University College Cork , National University of Ireland, Galway ( NUIG ), National University of Ireland, Maynooth ( NUIM ),
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#17328585807182376-853: Is considered to be "more selective" by the U.S. News & World Report . For the Class of 2023 (enrolling fall 2019), AU received 18,545 freshmen applications; 6,691 were admitted (36%) and 1,755 enrolled. The middle 50% range of SAT scores were 590–690 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 590–690 for Math. The middle 50% range of the ACT Composite score was 27–31. The U.S. News & World Report has ranked American University 7th in Study Abroad programs. American University operates three premier programs in Brussels , Belgium; Madrid , Spain; and Nairobi , Kenya but, also partners with universities across
2484-614: Is considered to be among the best in the country, with 30% of the student body studying abroad every year. In 2012, the National Jurist recognized it as one of the "most robust study abroad programs out of the 200 U.S. Law Schools." Students can study law for a semester in over 20 countries. WCL also offers summer abroad programs in London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva, and The Hague. WCL participates in several popular study-abroad and student exchange programs with universities worldwide. In 2002,
2592-506: Is home to the Institute for Innovation in Education and the newly created Center for Postsecondary Readiness and Success. On April 22, 2020, AU announced that it had divested its endowment of fossil fuels , becoming one of the first universities in the United States to completely divest of both direct and indirect fossil fuel holdings. Following a student referendum in favor of divestment,
2700-727: Is often taught part-time to allow professionals already working in the field to improve their skills. The LLM in International Business Law from Panthéon-Assas University is also available in Mauritius in Medine Village campus. To be allowed to practice law in the Netherlands, one needs an LL.M. degree with a specific set of courses in litigation law. The Dutch Order of Lawyers (NOVA) require these courses for every potential candidate lawyer who wants to be conditionally written in
2808-591: Is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The school was one of the first law schools to develop a modern clinical legal education program. With over 200 students participating in the 11 clinics every year, the program is one of the largest in the country. The clinic serves various clients, including immigrants and refugees, victims/survivors of domestic violence, juveniles, criminal defendants, low-income taxpayers, individuals seeking help with family law, consumer, disability, and intellectual property issues, community groups, and nonprofit organizations. Clinics include
2916-726: Is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to students and faculty with the use of an AU ID card. The library collection includes European Community and US government depositories and the Baxter Collection in International Law. Students and faculty also have access to the university's library, the Library of Congress, specialized agency libraries, and other area law libraries electronically. The National Jurist placed WCL's Library 41st out of 199 in its Best Law Libraries ranking. WCL's Master of Laws (LL.M.) program ranked 13th nationally in
3024-517: Is the genitive plural form of the Latin word lex and means "of the laws". When used in the plural, it signifies a specific body of laws, as opposed to the general collective concept embodied in the word jus , from which the words "juris" and "justice" derive. An LL.M. is also typically a requirement for entry into the research doctoral programs in law, such as the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D or J.S.D.),
3132-557: The Army Corps of Engineers was still removing munitions debris. Instruction was first offered only at the graduate level, in accordance with the plan of the founders. This changed in 1925 with the establishment of the College of Liberal Arts (subsequently named the College of Arts and Sciences ), which offered the first undergraduate degrees and programs. What is now the School of Public Affairs
3240-477: The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is generally a requirement to practice law. Some jurisdictions, such as Canada and Australia, require either an LL.B. or J.D. Individuals with law degrees must typically pass an additional set of examinations to qualify as a lawyer. The LL.M. program is a postgraduate program, typically for individuals who either possess a law degree or have qualified as a lawyer. The word legum
3348-786: The Law Society of Ireland in partnership with Northumbria University , and Griffith College . University College Dublin also offers the Masters in Common Law (MCL/ Magisterii in Jure Communi, M.Jur.Com) , an advanced two-year programme for non-law graduates. The degree is a qualifying law degree for admittance to the entrance exams of the Honorable Society of King's Inns. Italy offers both master programs in Italian and in English, depending on
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3456-664: The School of International Service in 1958. In the early 1960s, the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency operated the FFRDC Special Operations Research Office as a think tank at American University. AU's political involvement was furthered by President John F. Kennedy 's Spring 1963 commencement address . In the speech, Kennedy called on the Soviet Union to work with
3564-507: The Spring Valley neighborhood of Northwest D.C. American University was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893 at the urging of Methodist bishop John Fletcher Hurst , who sought to create an institution that would promote public service , internationalism , and pragmatic idealism . AU broke ground in 1902, opened as a graduate education institution in 1914, and admitted its first undergraduates in 1925. Although affiliated with
3672-625: The United Arab Emirates , signed a two-year contract with AU to provide academic management. This contract has since been extended multiple times through August 2009. A team of senior AU administrators relocated to Sharjah to assist in the establishment of the university and guide it through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation process. In fall 2005, the new Katzen Arts Center opened. Benjamin Ladner
3780-716: The United Methodist Church , religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission. American University has eight schools and colleges: the School of International Service , College of Arts and Sciences , Kogod School of Business, School of Communication , Professional Studies and Executive Education, School of Public Affairs , School of Education , and the Washington College of Law (WCL). It has over 160 programs, including 71 bachelor's degrees, 87 master's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees, as well as JD , LLM , and SJD programs. AU's student body numbers over 13,000 and represents all 50 U.S. states and 141 countries; around
3888-518: The University of the Punjab , University of Karachi , Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law , International Islamic University, Islamabad , Government College University, Faisalabad , University of Sargodha are LL.M. degree awarding institutions. Completing a LL.M. qualification in Pakistan consists of studying eight subjects in four semesters. This spans over a period of two years and also requires
3996-1315: The 2012 AUAP rankings. The Brian Leiter Law School rankings placed the WCL 47th in the 2012 Top 70 Law Faculties in Scholarly Impact. National Jurist ranked WCL the fifth best law school for Hispanic students in 2008. It ranked WCL the 4th best public interest law school in the nation. WCL is ranked tied for 89th in the nation among the 197 ranked schools in the Best Law Schools by U.S. News & World Report , and has ranked specialty programs in Clinical Training (tied #1), Trial Advocacy (tied #15), Part-Time Law (tied #16), International Law (tied #5), Intellectual Property (tied #7), and Health Care Law (tied #20), as well as program rankings in Legal Writing (tied #104), Business/Corporate (tied #60), Contracts/Commercial Law (tied #64), and Dispute Resolution (tied #64). The school maintains programs in both human rights and public interest law. WCL's Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) provides scholarships to students who obtain unpaid summer internships with public interest organizations. In 2021,
4104-568: The AU board of trustees voted against divesting the endowment in 2014. The decision to divest in 2020 came after extensive student campaigning from groups like Fossil Free AU and the undergraduate student government. In 2020, Fossil Free AU pushed for a second student referendum on the subject, and the student government released a report on divestment, presented to the board of trustees by student comptroller Robert Zitzmann. American University has two contiguous campuses for academics and student housing:
4212-413: The AU international relations master's degree in the top 10 in the United States and the doctoral degree in the top 25. The School of Communication is among the top 25 in the nation, and it graduates the third-largest number of communication professionals among U.S. colleges and universities. The School of Public Affairs is ranked 10th in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report for 2023. Folio
4320-565: The Adnan Khashoggi Sports Center was completed while the Iran–Contra Affair controversy was at its height, although his name remained on the building until after Khashoggi defaulted on his donation obligation in the mid-to-late 1990s. The School of Communication became independent from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1993. In 1997, American University of Sharjah , the only coeducational, liberal arts university in
4428-510: The Adnan Khashoggi Sports and Convocation Center began. Financed with $ 5 million from and named for Saudi Arabian Trustee Adnan Khashoggi , the building was intended to update athletics facilities and provide a new arena, as well as a parking garage and office space for administrative services. Costing an estimated $ 19 million, the building represented the largest construction project to date but met protest by both faculty and students to
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4536-426: The B.C.L. for largely historic reasons, as the B.C.L. is one of the oldest and most senior degrees, having been conferred since the sixteenth century. The M.Jur. was introduced in 1991. At present there is no LL.M. degree conferred by the university. Oxford claims that the B.C.L. is "the most highly regarded taught masters-level qualification in the common law world". Additionally, the University of Oxford introduced
4644-547: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. or DPhil) or doctorat en droit (in France), Doktor der Rechtswissenschaften (Dr. iur.) (in Germany), the Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.), and the Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). Historically, the LL.M. degree is an element particular to the education system of English speaking countries, which is based on a distinction between bachelor's and master's degrees. Over
4752-537: The Federation of Law Societies of Canada's National Committee on Accreditation. Upon having received a certificate of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation, foreign law graduates would then have to obtain articles with a law firm, take the professional legal training course, and pass the professional exams to be called to the bar in a province. The University of British Columbia's LLM in Common Law
4860-581: The General Practice Clinic, Community and Economic Development Law Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, DC Law Students in Court Clinic, Disability Rights Law Clinic, Domestic Violence Law Clinic, Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic, Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic, Immigrant Justice Clinic, International Human Rights Law Clinic, and Women and the Law Clinic. WCL's study abroad program
4968-534: The Jessup Moot Court Team was the top-ranked team in the United States and third in the World. WCL offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) created for professionals who have law-related responsibilities. The MLS program provides professionals in a variety of industries with an understanding of the U.S. legal system, but it is not meant for students who want to become a practicing attorney. The program offers
5076-610: The LL.B. for postgraduate students was replaced with a more conventional LL.M. to avoid confusion with undergraduate degrees in other universities. Additionally in 2012 the University of Cambridge introduced the M.C.L. (Masters of Corporate Law) aimed at postgraduate students with interests in corporate law. The University of Oxford unconventionally names its taught masters of laws B.C.L. ( Bachelor of Civil Law ) and M.Jur. ( Magister Juris ), and its research masters either MPhil (Master of Philosophy) or MSt (Master of Studies). Oxford continues to name its principal postgraduate law degree
5184-787: The LL.M designation: the LL.M in European and Transglobal Business Law at the School of Law of the University of Minho and the LL.M. Law in a European and Global Context and the Advanced LL.M. in International Business Law, both at the Católica Global School of Law , in Lisbon. In Singapore , the LL.M. is in English. The LL.M. in International Business Law from Panthéon-Assas University is also available in Singapore in Insead campus. In South Africa ,
5292-412: The LL.M. exist, such as the Master of Legal Practice (M.L.P.) available at the Australian National University , where students who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (which law graduates must obtain before being able to be admitted as a solicitor/barrister), will be granted some credit towards the Master qualification. Other variants of the LL.M. are more similar to the LL.M. available in
5400-436: The LL.M. is a postgraduate degree offered both as a course-based and research-based master's degree. In the former case, the degree comprises advanced coursework in a specific area of law as well as limited related research, usually in the form of a short dissertation, while in the latter, the degree is entirely thesis based. The first type, typically, comprises "practice-oriented" topics (e.g. in tax , mining law ), while
5508-402: The LL.M. is in English. The LL.M. in International Business Law is available at Panthéon-Assas University ( Paris ), the oldest school of law in France. The entrance requirements are: The course is flexible and allows students to study French . A further 11 institutions in France offer almost 20 other LLM programs taught in English, with specialisms including European Law. In Germany ,
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#17328585807185616-416: The LL.M. is seen as an advanced legal qualification of supplementary character. Some graduates choose to undertake their LL.M. directly following their "Erstes Juristisches Staatsexamen " (the "first state examination", which constitutes the first stage of the official German legal training), an alternative postgraduate course, or their "Zweites Juristisches Staatsexamen" (that is, the second and final stage of
5724-416: The LL.M. qualification by starting the master's programme as undergraduates. Students completing this four-year programme graduate with a combined LL.M. and Legal Practice Course professional qualification or BPTC. The University of Cambridge has a taught postgraduate law course, which formerly conferred an LL.B. on successful candidates (undergraduates studying law at Cambridge received a B.A.). In 1982
5832-453: The Law Program was launched in 1948, to promote the integration of women's rights and gender studies into legal education, practice and doctrine. After years of work by Dean Myers, the John Sherman Myers Law School building was constructed on the American University main campus and dedicated in 1963 by Chief Justice Earl Warren . In the same year, U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) graduated from WCL after ten years of night-study classes,
5940-400: The MSc in Law and Finance (MLF) and the MSc in Taxation in 2010 and 2016, respectively. In the United States, the acquisition of an LL.M. degree is often a way to specialize in an area of law such as tax law, business law, international business law, health law, trial advocacy, environmental law or intellectual property. A number of schools have combined J.D.-LL.M. programs, while others offer
6048-449: The Netherlands and its former colonies, the title used was Meester in de Rechten (mr.). This title is still widely used in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium), especially by those who studied Dutch or Belgian law respectively. Some LL.M. programs, particularly in the United States, and also in China, focus on teaching foreign lawyers the basic legal principles of the host country. The length of time to study an LL.M. program depends on
6156-447: The School of Government and Public Administration, the School of International Service, the Center for Technology and Administration, and the Center for the Administration of Justice (subsequently named the School of Justice) were incorporated into the College of Public and International Affairs. The university bought the Immaculata Campus in 1986 to alleviate space problems. This would later become Tenley Campus. In 1986, construction on
6264-536: The Tenley Campus was completed in early 2016 and included three primary buildings: The law school campus is less than a mile from the main American University campus; however, a shuttle system is available for students and staff to travel between the two locations. The campus is accessible to students and faculty 24/7 with the use of an AU ID card. The Pence Law Library is 54,000 square feet (5,000 m), with more than 600,000 volumes, access to multiple databases, 14 group-study rooms and seating for over 600. The library
6372-477: The U.S. military to use some of its grounds for testing. In 1917, the U.S. military divided American University into two segments, Camp American University and Camp Leach . Camp American University became the birthplace of the United States' chemical weapons program and the site of chemical weapons testing; this required a major cleanup effort in the 1990s. Camp Leach was home to advanced research, development, and testing of modern camouflage techniques. As of 2024 ,
6480-438: The United Kingdom, a master's degree in law in India is basically opted to specialize in particular areas of law. Traditionally the most popular areas of specialization in these master's degrees in law in India have been constitutional law , family law and taxation law . With the establishment of the specialized autonomous law schools in India in 1987 (the first was the National Law School of India University ) much emphasis
6588-446: The United States to achieve a nuclear test ban treaty and to reduce the considerable international tensions and the specter of nuclear war during that juncture of the Cold War . From 1965 to 1977, the College of Continuing Education existed as a degree-granting college responsible for on- and off-campus adult education programs. The Lucy Webb Hayes School of Nursing provided an undergraduate study in Nursing from 1965 until 1988. In 1972,
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#17328585807186696-505: The Washington College of Law became the first law school founded by women, the first with a female dean, and the first law school to graduate an all-female class. Mussey's male law clerk enrolled in 1897, making the school officially coeducational. Washington, D.C. incorporated WCL in 1898. After several temporary locations, the school moved to the Le Droit Building on 8th & F Streets in 1900. Enrollment rose to 55 students by 1908 and doubled in five years to 128 students. Dean Mussey secured
6804-479: The Washington College of Law. Graduates are reportedly saddled with enormous amounts of debt, and in 2022 only 69% of graduates held jobs that required they pass the Bar. The university is composed of eight divisions, referred to as colleges or schools, which house its academic programs. Except for WCL, undergraduate and graduate courses are housed within the same division, although organized into different programs. These colleges and schools are: American University
6912-542: The basic graduate law degree in common law countries (e.g., J.D. and LL.B). The last year in the five-year professional Norwegian law degree program is thus considered to correspond to a LL.M specialization. In addition, the universities with legal faculties at the masters level offers several LL.M programmes. For example, Universitetet i Oslo offers tuition-free LL.M courses in Public International Law, Maritime Law, Information and Communication Technology (ICT Law), as well as distinct specializations in human rights. In Pakistan,
7020-480: The class of 2020 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation, and 15% were employed in J.D.-preferred positions. Thirteen percent of the class of 2020 were seeking employment 9 months after graduation. American University American University ( AU or American ) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. , United States. Its main campus spans 90 acres (36 ha) on Ward Circle , mostly in
7128-480: The cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at WCL for the 2021–2022 academic year is $ 82,842. The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $ 293,573. According to U.S. News & World Report , the average indebtedness of 2020 AUWCL graduates who incurred law school debt was $ 159,723 (not including undergraduate debt), and 76% of 2020 graduates took on debt. According to WCL's official 2020 ABA-required disclosures, 61.8% of
7236-512: The country. In spring 2006, 34 graduate and law students were chosen for the honor. American University routinely ranks among the top mid-sized universities for producing Peace Corps volunteers. Among The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) schools, AU School of International Service has the largest number of minority students and female students. It is ranked 6th among APSIA schools in numbers of international students. A review in Foreign Policy Magazine ranked
7344-490: The defendants to pay more than $ 101,000 in compensatory damages, $ 500,000 in punitive damages, and more than $ 124,000 in attorney's fees. Dumpson also entered a restraining order against him. Although Dumpson and Anglin have not settled, she settled in December 2018 with one of the people who harassed her, a man from Oregon who was required to apologize, to renounce white supremacy , to stop trolling and doxing online, and to provide information to and cooperate with authorities in
7452-440: The degree through online study. Some LL.M. programs feature a general study of American law. Degree requirements vary by school, and they often differ for LL.M. students who previously earned a J.D. from an American law school and LL.M. students who previously earned a law degree from a non-American law school. An LL.M. degree from an ABA -approved law school also allows a foreign lawyer to become eligible to apply for admission to
7560-425: The district court for three years. After receiving all the diplomas prescribed by NOVA and under supervision of a " patron ", a lawyer is eligible to have his own practice and is unconditionally written in a court for life. The Norwegian legal degrees master i rettsvitenskap (English for master in jurisprudence) are officially translated to English as Master of Laws (LL.M.), as these degrees are more comprehensive than
7668-403: The first degrees: one master's degree and two doctor's degrees. AU admitted both women and African Americans, which was uncommon in higher education at the time. Among its first 28 students were five women, while an African American doctoral student was admitted in 1915. Shortly after these early commencement ceremonies, classes were interrupted by war. During World War I , the university allowed
7776-650: The first law school founded by women and the first coeducational institution for the professional study of law in the District. Shortly after that, three departments were reorganized as schools: the School of Business Administration in 1955 (subsequently named the Robert P. and Arlene R. Kogod College of Business Administration and in 1999, renamed the Kogod School of Business); the School of Government and Public Administration in 1957; and
7884-465: The first time a sitting member of Congress had begun and completed a law degree while serving. By 1988, WCL had grown to over 1,000 students. Dean Milstein pushed for a new building, and in 1996 WCL moved less than a mile to The John Sherman Myers and Alvina Reckman Myers Law Center on Massachusetts Avenue in the American University Park section of Northwest Washington, D.C. The building
7992-474: The first with a female dean, and the first to graduate an all-female class. Roger Fairfax was appointed as the school's dean in 2021. Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma Gillett began teaching in Mussey's law offices in 1898 after they were approached by three women who wished to study with them. Not originally intending to create a full-fledged law school, they requested the law school of Columbian College to accept
8100-441: The following concentration tracks: General MLS, Business, Health Care Compliance, and Technology. Each concentration features fundamental legal training and industry-specific knowledge to improve students' ability to make informed decisions and legitimize their credibility with clients, co-workers, and partners. The MLS can be completed in as little as 15 months and does not require a GRE/LSAT. The total cost of attendance (indicating
8208-486: The founder of the neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer . She accused Anglin of organizing a racist and sexist trolling campaign against her. She alleged that Anglin posted her name, her picture, links to her Facebook page, and the Twitter page of the university's student government, and urged his readers to "troll storm" her, which resulted in many hate-filled and racist online messages directed at her. A federal judge ordered
8316-401: The globe. American University's undergraduate program was tied for 105th overall among "national universities" in U.S. News & World Report 's 2024 rankings, tied for 31st in "Best Undergraduate Teaching", tied for 46th in "Most Innovative Schools", and 120th in "Best Value Schools". In 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2018, American University was named the most politically active school in
8424-474: The graduation requirements for students with a legal background are lower than for those students who do not have a legal background (to account for fundamental legal subjects that were taken during undergraduate studies). Students studying in an LL.M. program normally take three years to earn the necessary credits and finish a master's thesis. In the United Kingdom , an LL.M. programme is open to those holding
8532-518: The initials "AKA", which are also the initials of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The university considered the incident to be racist, and then-president Neil Kerwin called it a "cowardly, despicable act." In May 2018, the school said it had exhausted "all credible leads" about who had perpetrated the incident. Also in May 2018, Dumpson filed a lawsuit against several people, including Andrew Anglin ,
8640-508: The last one and a half years are specialization at advanced level (advanced level courses and thesis). It is possible to get a bachelor's degree after three years, but the vast majority of legal practitioners in Sweden have a LL.M. In Taiwan, law can be studied as a postgraduate degree resulting in an LL.M. Some LL.M. programs in Taiwan are offered to students with or without a legal background. However,
8748-625: The main campus on Massachusetts Avenue and the East Campus on Nebraska Avenue Washington College of Law has since been moved to the site of the Tenley Campus located in Tenleytown . AU owns several other buildings in Tenleytown, Spring Valley , East Campus in Wesley Heights , and American University Park areas. The first design for the campus was done by Frederick Law Olmsted . However, it
8856-524: The mode of study. Most full-time on-campus courses take one academic year to complete. Other students may complete their LL.M. program on a part-time basis over two years, and courses are increasingly available online. Part-time online courses can take between two and five years to complete. LL.M. programs are usually only open to those students who have first obtained a degree in law , typically an LL.B. or J.D. Some programs are exceptions to this, requiring only an undergraduate degree or extensive experience in
8964-571: The most active student government in the United States. It comprises the Undergraduate Senate and the Executive Branch. AUSG promotes advocacy and launches initiatives on campus supported by the student body. Master of Laws A Master of Laws ( M.L. or LL.M. ; Latin : Magister Legum or Legum Magister ) is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree,
9072-457: The most part, use the designation LL.M., being more commonly called Mestrado em Direito (Master's Degree in Law), like the ones at Coimbra University's Faculty of Law and Lusíada University of Porto . Although the classical Mestrado em Direito takes two years to finish and involves a dissertation, there are some shorter variants. A few Mestrados with an international theme have specifically adopted
9180-596: The nation by The Princeton Review' s annual survey of college students. In 2006, the Fiske Guide to Colleges ranked AU as a "Best Buy" college for the quality of academic offerings in relation to the cost of attendance. However, in 2013, the Daily Beast listed the school in their list of "20 Least Affordable Colleges". For two years in a row, American University has had more students chosen to receive Presidential Management Fellowships than any other college or university in
9288-617: The nation's problems. The Sine Institute launched with a conversation between Burwell and Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee. Amy K. Dacey is the first and current executive director of the Sine Institute. The Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library and Learning Resources Center is the main library facility for the campus. The University Library is part of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), which includes seven other libraries. The WRLC operates
9396-542: The notable stories that first appeared in Folio are Jacob M. Appel 's "Fata Morgana" and "Becoming Coretta Davis" by I. Bennett Capers. On September 24, 2018, AU President Sylvia M. Burwell announced the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics . Taking advantage of AU's location in the nation's capital, the institute will bring together scholars, journalists, and experts from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to find common ground and bipartisan policy solutions to
9504-547: The official German legal training). LL.M. degree programmes are offered by the law faculties of The University of Hong Kong , The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the City University of Hong Kong . An LL.B. degree is usually required for admission, but for some specialised programmes, such as the LL.M. in Human Rights programme offered by HKU, require an undergraduate degree in laws or any related discipline. Similar to
9612-688: The opening of East Campus. Residence halls on the main campus are grouped into three "campuses". Formerly the Immaculata School, Tenley Campus is located half a mile east of the main campus and was purchased by American University in 1987 specifically for the Washington Semester program. Since 2016, Tenley Campus has been home to American University's law school, the Washington College of Law . Over several years, former dormitory halls and academic buildings were torn down and replaced with many newer, more contemporary academic buildings that now house
9720-478: The opportunity to take work experience at a top five law firm in China. LL.M degree programs are available at many other universities in Mainland China, such as at Peking University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Shanghai International Studies University. In Finland, an LL.M. is the standard graduate degree required to practice law. No other qualifications are required. In France ,
9828-641: The past years, however, specialized LL.M. programs have been introduced in many European countries. A wide range of LL.M. programs are available worldwide, allowing students to focus on almost any area of the law. Most universities offer only a small number of LL.M. programs. One of the most popular LL.M. degrees in the United States is in tax law , sometimes referred to as an MLT (Master of Laws in Taxation). In Europe, LL.M. programs in European law are popular, often referred to as LL.M. Eur ( Master of European Law ). In
9936-432: The prosecution of white supremacists. In 2019, the School of Education (SOE) split from the College of Arts and Sciences. According to Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy (Dean of SOE) the move was made to "encourage more students to pursue careers in education". Areas of study that students can pursue within the school include: teacher education, special education, education policy, and leadership and international education. The school
10044-399: The school 8th in the country for preparing future foreign policy professionals and 25th for academic careers. SIS's undergraduate programs earned a spot at number 11, and its graduate programs were ranked number 8. Because the field of international relations is not evaluated by U.S. News & World Report , the College of William and Mary published the results of their survey, which ranked
10152-697: The school had an acceptance rate of 37.94%. The 75th, 50th and 25th percentile undergraduate GPAs were 3.71, 3.57 and 3.39 respectively, while LSAT percentiles were 163, 161 and 157 respectively. There was 36% minority representation and 64% female representation in the 2021 entering class, with representation from 42 states and 28 countries. WCL offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.) in either international or constitutional law, and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degrees . The Washington College of Law now offers an online Master of Legal Studies degree. Additionally, students can enroll in one of several dual degree programs: WCL's clinical program
10260-652: The school. They are often called "laurea specialistica", that is, the second step of the Bologna plan (European curriculum), and in this case they last two years. For example, the University of Milan offers a 2 years LLM on Sustainable Development. In South Tyrol programmes are also taught in German, as in Bolzano . In Italy the term "master" often refers to a vocational master, 6 or 12 months long, on specific areas, such as "law and internet security", or "law of administrative management",
10368-544: The second type is theory-oriented, often preparing students for admission to LL.D. or Ph.D. programmes. Admission is generally limited to LL.B. graduates, although holders of other law degrees, such as the BProc, may be able to apply if admitted as attorneys and/or by completing supplementary LL.B. coursework. Masters degree (LL.M) is the standard graduate degree among law practitioners in Sweden. The masters programme takes four and half years to complete. At most universities,
10476-450: The six women for their final year. When Columbian refused the request on the ground that "women did not have the mentality for law," the two women became determined to complete the students' education themselves and found a co-educational law school that was specifically open to women. Although Gillett was a graduate of Howard University School of Law , Washington College of Law only accepted white applicants. With its first graduating class,
10584-704: The student to write a thesis on a proposed topic. A student has to pass in each of the subject in order to qualify for LL.M. degree, and the passing mark is set at 60%. The program is taught in English . Universities in Pakistan teach comparative constitutional law, comparative human rights law and comparative jurisprudence as mandatory subjects. The programs also include research methodology and four elective subjects, which may include company law, taxation law, intellectual property law and banking law. The Master of Laws programmes offered in Portugal are extremely varied but do not, for
10692-406: The university was officially dedicated on May 15, 1914, with its first instructions beginning October of that year when 28 students were enrolled, 19 of whom were graduates and the remainder special students not candidates for a degree. The first commencement was held on June 2, 1915, though no degrees were awarded. The second commencement was held the following year, in 1916, and saw the awarding of
10800-419: The university's use of Khashoggi's name on the building due to his involvement in the international arms trade. In 1988, the College of Public and International Affairs was reorganized to create two free-standing schools: the School of International Service and the School of Public Affairs, incorporating the School of Government and Public Administration and the School of Justice. That same year, construction of
10908-514: The wider Commonwealth but under a different title, for example Master of Commercial Law, Master of International Law or Master of Human Rights Law. These courses are usually more specialised than a standard LL.M. In Canada, the LL.M. is generally open to law graduates holding an LL.B., LL.L., B.C.L., or a J.D. as a first degree. Students can choose to take research-based LL.M. degrees or course-based LL.M. degrees. Research-based LL.M. degrees are one- or two-year programs that require students to write
11016-539: Was approved in March. Construction began in the summer of 2013, with the relocation of the law school to the new campus completed in early 2016. Spring 2016 semester classes began at the new campus on January 11, 2016. The Washington College of Law is located on American University's Tenley Campus at 4300 Nebraska Avenue NW. on the northwest edge of Washington, D.C., approximately 1 mile from the Maryland state line. Construction on
11124-764: Was broken for the new School of International Service building on November 14, 2007, and completed in 2010. A speech was given by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI). In 2015, American University began offering an accredited, accelerated online MBA program. In May 2017, Kerwin retired as AU's president. In early August 2023, Sylvia Mathews Burwell announced she would be stepping down as AU's 15th president and continue working for AU's Sine Institute for Policy and Politics. On July 1, 2024, Jonathan Alger became AU's 16th president. In 2017, Taylor Dumpson became AU's first female black student body president. In her first full day in office, bananas were found at three places on campus, hanging from noose-like ropes, and marked with
11232-416: Was established in the District of Columbia by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892, primarily due to the efforts of Methodist bishop John Fletcher Hurst , who aimed to create an institution that could train future public servants . Hurst also chose the university's site, which was in the rural periphery of Washington, D.C. After more than three decades devoted principally to securing financial support,
11340-470: Was founded in 1934, partly to educate future federal employees in new approaches to public administration introduced by the New Deal ; during the event commemorating its launch, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stressed cooperation between the school and his administration. AU's relationship with the U.S. government continued during World War II , when the campus hosted the U.S. Navy Bomb Disposal School and
11448-490: Was significantly modified over time due to financial constraints. The campus occupies 84 acres (340,000 m ) adjacent to Ward Circle , the intersection of Nebraska and Massachusetts Avenues . AU's campus is predominantly surrounded by the affluent residential neighborhoods characteristic of the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. The campus includes a main quadrangle surrounded by academic buildings, nine residential halls,
11556-486: Was suspended from his position as president of the university on August 24, 2005, pending an investigation into possible misuse of university funds for his personal expenses. University faculty passed votes of no confidence in President Ladner the following month. One month after the faculty vote, the board of trustees decided that Ladner would not return to American University as its president. Cornelius M. Kerwin ,
11664-434: Was two and a half times larger than the previous Myers building and included the new Pence Law Library. In April 2012, the D.C. Zoning Commission approved the plans for American University Washington College of Law to relocate from Spring Valley to American University's Tenley Campus. The approval of plans for further processing and zoning variances for the law school was handed down after American University's full campus plan
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