LLM Certificates
Duke Law School offers LLM students five certificate programs, which aim to refine their research and career focus. The five LLM certificates--in Business Law, Environmental & Energy Law, Intellectual Property, Science & Technology Law, New Ventures & Entrepreneurship, and International Law--maximize students' exposure to outstanding courses and instructors in their fields of interest.
Duke’s location in Durham, a student-friendly environment with a modest cost of living, was significant in making my choice compared to the other schools that offered me admission. I completely enjoyed the intellectual property law class by Professor James Boyle, which was the most intellectually stimulating in my academic experience. The IP classes and exams were amazing as they addressed contemporary issues and thought-provoking IP law and technology realities relevant to practicing as an attorney in this rapidly evolving digital age.
New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate
Duke Law School has long been known for the breadth of its research, scholarship, and teaching at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and business law. Lawyers serving clients and companies can be counselors, policy advocates, entrepreneurs, or corporate leaders, or sometimes all at once. Whatever their role, they require a comprehensive understanding of multiple areas of law and policy — business, intellectual property, and privacy law, to name a few — as well as practical legal skills such as contract drafting, corporate counseling and communication, negotiation, and deal skills. The New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate capitalizes on the strengths of the Duke Law Curriculum in all these areas and prepares students for careers in the technology, science, and innovation sectors of the global economy.
Applications:
Applicants for the New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in business law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate. The statement should describe their background and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in New Ventures and Entrepreneurship, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper on a topic related to the substance of the certificate program
- 12 academic credits in courses related to New Ventures and Entrepreneurship including:
- Startup Law: Legal Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Counsel
- One additional course from the following core courses:
- Business Associations
- Business Strategy for Lawyers
- Intellectual Property
- Patent Law & Policy
- Corporate Finance
- The remaining 5-6 credits in courses related to new ventures and entrepreneurship
- Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Fuqua School of Business or the Sanford School of Public Policy that are thematically connected to the certificate's subject matter.
Please note that enrollment in the Certificate does not guarantee enrollment in one or more of the foregoing courses; students will have the opportunity to drop the certificate before LLM graduation without penalty in the event they are not able to fulfill the academic requirements of the Certificate.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Environmental and Energy Law Certificate
Duke University is one of the country’s leading research universities in the field of environmental studies, and this certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study environmental law and policy with outstanding scholars and teachers across the university. Through our partnership with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and other interdisciplinary programs, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policy-makers in a world facing increasing pressure on natural resources and the environment.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in environmental law or related fields, or substantial prior study of environmental law.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law. The statement should describe their background in environmental law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in environmental law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in environmental law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in environmental law and related fields, including Environmental Law (3 credits) and Readings in Environmental Law (1 credit). Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Nicholas School of the Environment or the Sanford School of Public Policy.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Business Law Certificate
One of Duke Law School’s key academic strengths is our focus on the intersection of law and business. This certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study business law and policy by choosing from a deep and varied assortment of courses taught by outstanding scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Through our partnership with the Fuqua School of Business and other interdisciplinary programs, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in a world where the relationship between law and business partnerships grows increasingly more complicated and important.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Business Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in business law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Business Law. The statement should describe their background in business law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in business law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Business Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in business law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in business law and related fields. Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Fuqua School of Business.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Intellectual Property, Science and Technology Law Certificate
Duke Law School and Duke University have a deep commitment to the study of intellectual property law as evidenced by the work of our Center for Innovation Policy; the Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy; and the Center for the Study of the Public Domain. This certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. The Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology LawCertificate will help prepare students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in a robust and constantly changing field.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in intellectual property law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law. The statement should describe their background in intellectual property law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in intellectual property law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in intellectual property law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in IP law and related fields, including two courses from the following core list, with remaining courses from an elective list of IP courses designated by the IP faculty.
- Intellectual Property Law
- Copyright Law
- Patent Law and Policy
- Trademark Law and Unfair Competition
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
International Law Certificate
Duke Law faculty research and teach across a broad range of international law and human rights subjects. The International Law Certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study international law and human rights by choosing from a deep and varied assortment of courses taught by outstanding scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Through our partnerships with both the Sanford School of Public Policyand the Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in an interconnected world where the understanding of international law is essential to virtually every legal practice area.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in International Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for relevant academic or professional background in international and/or human rights law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in International Law. The statement should describe their background in international/human rights law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in international law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in International Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in international law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in the field of international law. Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Sanford School of Public Policy or the Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate
Duke Law School has long been known for the breadth of its research, scholarship, and teaching at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and business law. Lawyers serving clients and companies can be counselors, policy advocates, entrepreneurs, or corporate leaders, or sometimes all at once. Whatever their role, they require a comprehensive understanding of multiple areas of law and policy — business, intellectual property, and privacy law, to name a few — as well as practical legal skills such as contract drafting, corporate counseling and communication, negotiation, and deal skills. The New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate capitalizes on the strengths of the Duke Law Curriculum in all these areas and prepares students for careers in the technology, science, and innovation sectors of the global economy.
Applications:
Applicants for the New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in business law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the New Ventures and Entrepreneurship Certificate. The statement should describe their background and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in New Ventures and Entrepreneurship, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper on a topic related to the substance of the certificate program
- 12 academic credits in courses related to New Ventures and Entrepreneurship including:
- Startup Law: Legal Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Counsel
- One additional course from the following core courses:
- Business Associations
- Business Strategy for Lawyers
- Intellectual Property
- Patent Law & Policy
- Corporate Finance
- The remaining 5-6 credits in courses related to new ventures and entrepreneurship
- Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Fuqua School of Business or the Sanford School of Public Policy that are thematically connected to the certificate's subject matter.
Please note that enrollment in the Certificate does not guarantee enrollment in one or more of the foregoing courses; students will have the opportunity to drop the certificate before LLM graduation without penalty in the event they are not able to fulfill the academic requirements of the Certificate.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Environmental and Energy Law Certificate
Duke University is one of the country’s leading research universities in the field of environmental studies, and this certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study environmental law and policy with outstanding scholars and teachers across the university. Through our partnership with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and other interdisciplinary programs, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policy-makers in a world facing increasing pressure on natural resources and the environment.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in environmental law or related fields, or substantial prior study of environmental law.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law. The statement should describe their background in environmental law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in environmental law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Environmental and Energy Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in environmental law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in environmental law and related fields, including Environmental Law (3 credits) and Readings in Environmental Law (1 credit). Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Nicholas School of the Environment or the Sanford School of Public Policy.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Business Law Certificate
One of Duke Law School’s key academic strengths is our focus on the intersection of law and business. This certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study business law and policy by choosing from a deep and varied assortment of courses taught by outstanding scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Through our partnership with the Fuqua School of Business and other interdisciplinary programs, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in a world where the relationship between law and business partnerships grows increasingly more complicated and important.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Business Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in business law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Business Law. The statement should describe their background in business law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in business law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Business Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in business law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in business law and related fields. Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Fuqua School of Business.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
Intellectual Property, Science and Technology Law Certificate
Duke Law School and Duke University have a deep commitment to the study of intellectual property law as evidenced by the work of our Center for Innovation Policy; the Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy; and the Center for the Study of the Public Domain. This certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. The Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology LawCertificate will help prepare students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in a robust and constantly changing field.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for two years of post-graduate work experience in intellectual property law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law. The statement should describe their background in intellectual property law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in intellectual property law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in Intellectual Property, Science, and Technology Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in intellectual property law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in IP law and related fields, including two courses from the following core list, with remaining courses from an elective list of IP courses designated by the IP faculty.
- Intellectual Property Law
- Copyright Law
- Patent Law and Policy
- Trademark Law and Unfair Competition
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.
International Law Certificate
Duke Law faculty research and teach across a broad range of international law and human rights subjects. The International Law Certificate provides LLM students an opportunity to study international law and human rights by choosing from a deep and varied assortment of courses taught by outstanding scholars and practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Through our partnerships with both the Sanford School of Public Policyand the Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute, Duke prepares students for careers as lawyers and policymakers in an interconnected world where the understanding of international law is essential to virtually every legal practice area.
Applications
Applicants for the Certificate in International Law should have the following qualifications:
- a strong academic record;
- strong English language skills; and
- preference for relevant academic or professional background in international and/or human rights law or related fields.
Applicants to the certificate program should submit with their LLM application a statement of interest in the Certificate in International Law. The statement should describe their background in international/human rights law and goals for their career. If applicants’ personal statements include a full description of their interest in international law and the certificate, it would nevertheless be helpful to the committee to have a separate statement containing the portion of the personal statement that describes that interest. A limited number of applicants will be admitted as candidates to the certificate program each year.
Program Requirements
In order to receive the Certificate in International Law, candidates must successfully complete the following requirements:
- 24 credits in law, with a 2.5 minimum grade point average;
- a substantial research paper in international law or a related field; and
- a minimum of 12 credits in courses in the field of international law. Three of the 12 credits may be obtained from courses offered by the Sanford School of Public Policy or the Duke Human Rights Center at the Franklin Humanities Institute.
For more information, please contact Oleg Kobelev, Associate Dean for International Studies.