The Master of Laws in International Law, or LLM, is a program that prepares students for a career at international law firms and corporations. As a prerequisite for the LLM, students need first to complete a Juris Doctor degree program. The coursework of the LLM emphasizes all facets of international law and includes such courses as Terrorism and Law, Human Rights and International Law, International Business Transactions, Overseas Criminal Law, Law and Globalization, Comparative Constitutional Law and Laws of the European Union.
The Master of Arts in International Law, or MA is another master's degree in international law. Unlike the LLM, the MA is open to applicants with many different educational backgrounds. The curriculum is similar to that of the LLM, and students study courses such as Transnationalism and International Organizations, Principles of Political Theory, Global Society And Law, International Law, United States and Foreign Policy and International Law and Political Challenges. In addition, many MA programs also require students to learn at least one foreign language.
The Master of Science in International Law, or JSM, is the third program you can study. The program typically requires a research project and can be completed in one year. The main prerequisite for enrollment in a JSM program is a successful completion of a Juris Doctor program. Candidates with experience in international law are preferred. The curriculum includes courses such as Chinese Business and Law, International Development, Human Rights, International Deal Making, Islamic Law, Legal Research and Writing, International Conflict Management and International Intellectual Property.
The Master of Laws in International Law is offered in most law schools in the United States. The Master of Arts in International Law is less popular while the Master of Science in International Law is offered only at Stanford University, according to Education-Portal.com. The universities that offer the most prestigious master's degrees in international law, in addition to Stanford University, include Harvard University, Georgetown University, Yale University, Cornell University and University of California - Berkeley.