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Joint Program
Joint Degree (J.D./LL.M.) Program
Joint Program Admission Requirements
Joint Degree Program Application
Permitted LL.M. Courses
Graduate Intellectual Property Program
Graduate Taxation Program
Counting Credits
Scheduling LL.M. Courses and Origination Sites
Grading Scales
Grade Appeal
Tuition
Honors Scholarship
J.D. Concentrations and the Joint Degree Program
Full Admission into the LL.M. Program
FAQs
Contact Information
The joint degree program allows select Cooley students to be "provisionally admitted" into the LL.M. Program while still working to obtain their Cooley J.D. Joint degree students can take up to nine credits of LL.M. coursework before they complete their juris doctor degree. The credits will count toward both degrees, permitting these students to save significant time and money while obtaining the knowledge, skills, and credentials for a successful law practice.
Once the J.D. degree is awarded, students may seek full admission into the LL.M. Program. When admitted, these students can either obtain their LL.M. in one or two semesters or take up to five years to complete the degree with classes convenient to their work schedule.
Cooley accepts the nine LL.M. credits as electives toward the J.D. degree (90 credits required for J.D. degree). The eight LL.M. credits will also be counted toward the Cooley LL.M. degree (24 total credits - 9 credits = 15 remaining credits).
Joint Program Admission Requirements
A Cooley J.D. student must have completed 45 credits, earned at least a "B" in the J.D. "qualifier" course) and is in the top half of the student's class to be considered for provisional admission in the joint program.
Joint Degree Program Application
Students must complete an application for provisional admission to the J.D./LL.M. program and submit it to the Admissions Office. Generally, students apply for the joint program early in the term before they expect to reach 45 credits to assure a space in the joint degree program. The application deadline for Michaelmas (fall) Term is July 1; Hilary (winter) Term is November 1; and, Trinity (summer) Term is March 1.
Permitted LL.M. Courses
Provisionally admitted J.D. students may earn up to eight LL.M. credits consisting of:
- two of the three-credit required courses in the appropriate LL.M. program (joint degree tax students may not take Income Taxation); and,
- a maximum of three credits of elective course with the permission of the academic director of their LL.M. program.
Graduate Intellectual Property Program
Professor Gerald Tschura is the Director and Professor David Berry is the Assistant Director of the Graduate Intellectual Property Program. Both professors are located at Cooley's Auburn Hills campus. Click on the link for more information about the Graduate Intellectual Property Program.
Intellectual Property Law J.D. Course Requirement
An joint degree applicant must have earned at least a "B" in Intellectual Property Law. This J.D. course does not count as credit toward the LL.M. degree.
Graduate Taxation Program
Professor Gina M. Torielli is the Director and Professor Joni Larson is the Assistant Director of the Graduate Taxation Program. Professor Torielli is located at Cooley's Auburn Hills campus and Professor Larson is at the Lansing campus. Click on the link for more information about the Graduate Taxation Program.
Non-Credit Waiver for Income Taxation Requirement
The J.D. level taxation courses do not count as credit toward the LL.M. degree. However, J.D. students who earn a grade of 3.0 or above in the J.D. basic income tax course will receive a non-credit waiver for the required LL.M. course in Income Taxation (three credits). The student will be required to take LL.M. elective courses in exchange for the non-credit waiver for Income Taxation to obtain the LL.M. degree.
Counting Credits
Nine credit hours of time and tuition are saved through the joint degree program.
Cooley would accept the eight LL.M. credits as electives toward the J.D. degree (90 credits required for J.D. degree).
The nine LL.M. credits would also be counted toward the Cooley LL.M. degree (24 total credits - 9 credits = 15 remaining credits).
Scheduling LL.M. Courses and Origination Sites
Joint degree program students must consult with the director of their LL.M. program during the scheduling and registration process to make sure that all program and ABA rules are being followed.
Classes are primarily offered on the weekend. Sometimes courses are scheduled during the week or in an accelerated format. The Graduate Taxation Program offers special sections beginning after the bar exams.
A provisionally admitted J.D. student would be expected to complete a required LL.M. course before taking any LL.M. elective course, unless this requirement is waived by the academic director.
Courses originate from different campuses so pay particular attention to the origination site and register accordingly.
Joint degree students may register for required LL.M. courses at any Cooley campus. Elective LL.M. courses must be attended at their origination site, unless this requirement is waived by the program director. Joint degree students will not be permitted to enroll in web-based courses.
Grading Scales
The LL.M. and J.D. grading scales differ. Therefore, the grades earned in LL.M. classes will be based on the LL.M. grade scale and will be reflected on the LL.M. transcript. On the J.D. transcript, these LL.M. grades will be reflected as pass/fail grades for a provisionally admitted J.D. student. LL.M. grades "A" through "D" will be "pass" grades on the J.D. transcript.
J.D. and LL.M. transcripts are obtained from the Registrar's Office.
Grade Appeal
While there is no formal grade appeal process in the LL.M. program, LL.M. grades may be reviewed in certain circumstances. Please refer to the Academic Regulations of the Graduate Program for more information.
Tuition
J.D. students pay their J.D. tuition rate for LL.M. courses. The LL.M. tuition rate will apply once the student is awarded the J.D. degree and is fully admitted into the graduate program.
Honors Scholarship
The LL.M. program does not have an Honors Scholarship. J.D. students receive their Honors Scholarship for LL.M. classes taken while they are still a J.D. student. Any J.D. Honors Scholarship will not carry over to the LL.M. program once the student is awarded the J.D. degree and is fully admitted into the LL.M. program.
J.D. Concentrations and the Joint Degree Program
Many joint degree students are working on a particular J.D. concentration. J.D./LL.M. students should meet with the academic director of the appropriate LL.M. program to discuss how the requirements of the joint degree program and a J.D. concentration can be met.
Full Admission to LL.M. Program
A J.D./LL.M. student may be fully admitted to the LL.M. program once the J.D. degree is awarded. The J.D. graduate must submit an LL.M. application, satisfy all the LL.M. admission requirements, and be capable of achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the LL.M. program in order to be fully admitted.
The LL.M. degree may be earned at Cooley's campuses in Lansing, Auburn Hills, and Grand Rapids.
Students can take up to five years after taking their first LL.M. level course to complete the academic requirements needed for the LL.M. degree.
FAQs
What are the admission requirements to the joint degree (J.D./LL.M.) program?
You must be a Cooley J.D. student who:
- has completed 45 credits;
- has earned at least a "B" in the J.D. "qualifier" course; and,
- is in the top one-half of your class.
How do I apply?
Students must complete an application for provisional admission to the J.D./LL.M. program and submit it to the Admissions Office. Generally, students apply for the joint program early in the term before they expect to reach 45 credits to assure a space in the joint degree program. The application deadline for Michaelmas (fall) Term is July 1; Hilary (winter) Term is November 1; and, Trinity (summer) Term is March 1.
The J.D./LL.M. application may be obtained from the Enrollment and Student Services coordinators at any campus location, the Graduate Programs office in the Cooley Center, and the Graduate Program web site.
What is provisional admission?
Provisional admission means that the student is not fully admitted to the LL.M. program because the J.D. degree has not yet been awarded.
A J.D./LL.M. student may be fully admitted to the LL.M. program once the J.D. degree is awarded. The J.D. graduate must submit an LL.M. application, satisfy all the LL.M. admission requirements, and be capable of achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the LL.M. program in order to be fully admitted.
How much is tuition?
J.D. students pay their J.D. tuition rate for LL.M. courses. The LL.M. tuition rate will apply once the student is awarded the J.D. degree and is fully admitted into the graduate program.
Does the Honors Scholarship apply to LL.M. study?
No. The LL.M. program does not have an Honors Scholarship. J.D. students receive their Honors Scholarship for LL.M. classes taken while they are still a J.D. student. Any J.D. Honors Scholarship will not carry over to the LL.M. program once the student is awarded the J.D. degree and is fully admitted into the LL.M. program.
Why is it a benefit to be in the joint program?
The joint program allows a J.D. student to earn LL.M. credits which will count toward the J.D. degree.
To illustrate: 90 credits are required for the J.D. degree and 24 credits are required for the LL.M. degree, if the degrees were earned separately. The joint degree program allows the student to count up to eight LL.M. credits toward the J.D. degree.
Once the student is fully admitted into the LL.M. program, 15 LL.M. credits must be earned to be awarded the degree (24 - 9 = 15). The net is nine credit hours of saved time and tuition.
Once provisionally admitted, which LL.M. courses can be taken?
Provisionally admitted J.D. students may earn up to nine LL.M. credits consisting of:
- two of the four three-credit required courses in the appropriate LL.M. program (joint degree tax students may not take Income Taxation); and,
- a maximum of three credits of elective course with the permission of the academic director of their LL.M. program.
When and where are the LL.M. classes offered?
LL.M. classes are primarily offered on the weekend. Sometimes courses are scheduled during the week or in an accelerated format. The Graduate Taxation Program offers special sections beginning after the bar exams.
Courses originate from different campuses so pay particular attention to the origination site and register accordingly.
Joint degree students may register for required LL.M. courses at any Cooley campus. Elective LL.M. courses must be attended at their origination site, unless this requirement is waived by the program director. Joint degree students will not be permitted to enroll in web-based courses.
What is involved in scheduling these courses?
Joint degree program students must consult with the academic director of the appropriate LL.M. program during the scheduling and registration process to make sure that all program and ABA rules are being followed.
A provisionally admitted J.D. student would be expected to complete a required LL.M. course before taking any LL.M. elective course, unless this requirement is waived by the program director.
Do J.D. credits count toward the LL.M. degree?
No. However, J.D. students who earn a grade of 3.0 or above in the J.D. basic income tax course will receive a non-credit waiver for the required LL.M. course in Income Taxation (three credits). The student will be required to take LL.M. elective courses in exchange for the non-credit waiver for Income Taxation to obtain the LL.M. degree.
What is the grading scale?
The LL.M. and J.D. grading scales differ. Therefore, the grades earned in LL.M. classes will be based on the LL.M. grade scale and will be reflected on the LL.M. transcript. On the J.D. transcript, these LL.M. grades will be reflected as pass/fail grades for a provisionally admitted J.D. student. LL.M. grades "A" through "D" will be "pass" grades on the J.D. transcript. J.D. and LL.M. transcripts are obtained from the Registrar's Office.
| J.D. Grading Scale | LL.M. Grading Scale | ||
| A | 4.0 | A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.5 | A- | 3.67 |
| B | 3.0 | B+ | 3.33 |
| B- | 2.5 | B | 3.00 |
| C | 2.0 | B- | 2.67 |
| C- | 1.5 | C+ | 2.33 |
| D | 1.0 | C | 2.00 |
| F | 0.0 | C- or below | 0.00 |
What effect does the joint degree program have on the J.D. concentrations?
Many joint degree students are working on a particular J.D. concentration. J.D./LL.M. students should meet with the academic director of their LL.M. program to discuss how the requirements of the joint degree program and a J.D. concentration can be met.
How do I get fully admitted into the LL.M. program?
A J.D./LL.M. student may be fully admitted to the LL.M. program once the J.D. degree is awarded. The J.D. graduate must submit an LL.M. application, satisfy all the LL.M. admission requirements, and be capable of achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the LL.M. program in order to be fully admitted.
The LL.M. degree may be earned at Cooley's campuses in Lansing, Auburn Hills, and Grand Rapids.
How long can you take to earn the LL.M. degree?
Students can take up to five years after taking their first LL.M. level course to complete the academic requirements needed for the LL.M. degree.
Can the LL.M. degree be earned on a part-time or full-time basis?
Yes. Once fully admitted to the graduate program, a student is considered full-time when enrolled in six credit hours, half-time with three credit hours, and part-time with two credit hours. Students fully admitted and enrolled in the graduate program cannot register for more than 14 credits during a term. The LL.M. can be completed within one calendar year, but the full-time student could be faced with time conflicts between courses offered. Not all courses in the curriculum will be offered every term.
What about financial aid?
You are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office to find out whether it is available or how it may be affected. The Financial Aid office may be contacted by e-mail at finaid@cooley.edu or by telephone at (517) 371-5140, ext. 2210.
How do I receive additional information about the LL.M. degree programs?
Information can be obtained
- on the Web at www.cooley.edu/llm
- by e-mail at LLM@cooley.edu
- by telephone at (517) 371-5140, ext. 2044
- in person at the Graduate Programs Office in the Cooley Center
- by contacting the directors of the appropriate graduate program
- by contacting David Dee, the Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator at the Grand Rapids campus
- by contacting Val Schnable, the Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator at the Auburn Hills campus
Contact Information
Lansing Campus
Graduate Programs Office
300 South Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
t: (517) 371-5140
e: LLM@cooley.edu
Professor Joni Larson
Assistant Director, Graduate Taxation Program
7th Floor Cooley Center
t: (517) 371-5140, ext. 2706
e: larsonj@cooley.edu
Rochester/Oakland University Campus
Professor David Berry
Assistant Director, Graduate Intellectual Property Program
2630 Featherstone
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
t: (248) 751-7800, ext. 7750
e:
berryd@cooley.edu
Val Schnable
Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator
2630 Featherstone
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
t: (248) 751-7800, ext. 7767
e: schnablv@cooley.edu
Professor Gina M. Torielli
Director, Graduate Taxation Program
2630 Featherstone
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
t: (248) 751-7800, ext. 7744
e:
toriellg@cooley.edu
Professor Gerald Tschura
Director, Graduate Intellectual Property Program
2630 Featherstone
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
t: (248) 751-7800, ext. 7759
e:
tschurag@cooley.edu
Grand Rapids Campus
David Dee
Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator
5th Floor Law Center
111 Commerce SW
Grand Rapids , MI 49503
t: (616) 301-6800, ext. 6918
f: (616) 301-6830
e: deed@cooley.edu
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This Page was last updated on:
10/03/2007