LLM in Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW)
The Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development is a practice-oriented degree for law graduates and lawyers. You will receive the advanced training and skills you need to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen both the rule of law and prospects for national development in your country and geographical region.
Knowledge
You will comprehend how the rule of law develops in society and the role and practices of domestic and international institutions in establishing and maintaining the rule of law. You will be able to describe legal methods and concepts employed when carrying out rule of law initiatives. You will also comprehend the current frameworks for sustainable development, the environment and the rule of law, and the dynamic relationship between models of governance and the rule of law.
Skills
You will be able to:
- Conduct research on rule of law and development topics and carry out assessments of rule of law problems
- Draft documents relating to rule of law and development
- Develop a conceptual framework or theory of change to create optimal sequencing of legal reform for development
- Support the implementation of rule of law initiatives which take into account varied legal cultures and systems
- Guide rule of law initiatives and economic activity that are consistent with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
- Develop and manage rule of law programs, projects and national initiatives that employ appropriate methods and project management tools
- Prepare funding proposals for rule of law projects
- Advise on how applicable institutional and legal frameworks facilitate or place limitations on rule of law initiatives
- Devise and apply strategies for effective international and inter-organizational engagement and cooperation for rule of law and governance development in conflict prevention, reducing state instability, and peacebuilding
Professional Values
You will be able to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen the rule of law and prospects for national development, considering the interests of all stakeholders, incorporating diverse viewpoints, being willing to accept iterative progress, and respecting equality and human rights.
By The Numbers
94%
of PROLAW graduates are employed post-2025 sector disruption
65
Countries are Represented Among PROLAW Graduates
6
Billion People Live in a Country where Rule of Law is Declining
Curriculum
You can complete this 27 credit LLM degree in one academic year, or over two years. This blended virtual and in-person degree includes online study and one term of in-person classes at our Loyola Rome Center campus in Italy. There is one annual program intake each year, in the fall.
The curriculum combines theory with practice in the course work, allowing you to gain both the knowledge of key topics and issues, and the skills all rule of law professionals need to work effectively on rule of law and development matters. Your courses will be taught by experienced practitioners who have multijurisdictional experience in supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the rule of law.
Fall Term
- History, Theory and Practice of Law for Development
- Research and Writing on the Rule of Law
- Principles of International Economic Law
- Comparative and Ethical Lawyering for the Rule of Law
Spring Term
- International Development Architecture
- Theory and Practice of Assessments in Rule of Law Advising
- Design of Rule of Law Programs and Proposal Preparation
- Rule of Law Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Rule of Law in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
Summer Term
- Rule of Law Capstone Project
The curriculum is supported by the Rule of Law Lecture Series with prominent rule of law professionals.
Degree Requirements
To earn a PROLAW LLM, you must complete 27 credit hours of coursework, including nine courses and a major rule of law capstone project, while maintaining the GPA requirement. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.
Admission
To apply for the PROLAW LLM degree, you must possess a bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited college or university, plus a primary law degree, and demonstrate interest or experience in rule of law and governance through past work or volunteer experience.
AUGUST 1: Application deadline, fall enrollment only
Anurag Devkota
Alum, Nepal Human Rights Lawyer, Law and Policy Forum For Social Justice (LAPSOJ)
“PROLAW helped shape my career in the rule of law field. The needs-assessment, international development architecture theories and comparative lawyering skills obtained in the program were central to my work.”
Emily Patterson
Alumn, USA Co-Executive Director, State Capture: Research and Action
“The curriculum focuses on both the theoretical aspects of development and how to design effective and sustainable development programs, which allowed me to be more structured and impactful in my work.”
Ashot Agaian
Alum, Ukraine Senior Legal Officer, The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights
“PROLAW gave me a better understanding of development work. Having learned about the different legal systems and how the rule of law has developed, I can be more effective and successful in my project designs by tailoring the objectives and activities to the specific needs of the particular country.”
Rule of Law for Development Program
Loyola’s Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) program is a unique academic and experiential learning program that educates lawyers and other professionals to work in the growing rule of law and development field, whether in the public, private, civil society, or academic sectors.
Rule of Law Institute
This Institute is established within Loyola as a center for the advancement of the rule of law. We seek to develop ground-breaking research, produce new solutions, and prompt real change that will empower individual lives, assist economic development, and advance legal standing.
The Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development is a practice-oriented degree for law graduates and lawyers. You will receive the advanced training and skills you need to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen both the rule of law and prospects for national development in your country and geographical region.
Our Commitment to You
Upon graduation with an LLM in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values:
Curriculum
You can complete this 27 credit LLM degree in one academic year, or over two years. This blended virtual and in-person degree includes online study and one term of in-person classes at our Loyola Rome Center campus in Italy. There is one annual program intake each year, in the fall.
The curriculum combines theory with practice in the course work, allowing you to gain both the knowledge of key topics and issues, and the skills all rule of law professionals need to work effectively on rule of law and development matters. Your courses will be taught by experienced practitioners who have multijurisdictional experience in supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the rule of law.
The curriculum is supported by the Rule of Law Lecture Series with prominent rule of law professionals.
Degree Requirements
To earn a PROLAW LLM, you must complete 27 credit hours of coursework, including nine courses and a major rule of law capstone project, while maintaining the GPA requirement. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.
Admission
To apply for the PROLAW LLM degree, you must possess a bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited college or university, plus a primary law degree, and demonstrate interest or experience in rule of law and governance through past work or volunteer experience.
AUGUST 1: Application deadline, fall enrollment only