Why you should consider this program

Rule of law underlies all political, economic, and social goods. To overcome today’s development challenges—violence, infringements of human rights, environmental destruction, poverty and hunger—rule of law is essential. Likewise, it is crucial to supporting commerce, attracting investment, and achieving economic growth, and central to realizing the United Nations’ integrated 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

Loyola’s Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) program is a unique academic and experiential learning program that prepares students for jobs in the growing rule of law and development field, allowing for wide-ranging career options in the public, private, civil society, and academic sectors across the world. In addition to acquiring fundamental rule of law knowledge and skills, you will also gain a large international network and exposure to real-world challenges through experienced practitioner faculty members and an engaged alumni network. The diverse group of students follow the program together as a cohort, creating a positive environment for sharing diverse experiences and learning.

This practice-oriented program is open to applicants with a first degree in law who will follow the Master of Laws (LLM) track, and applicants with degrees in other subjects, who will follow the Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) track. The degrees can be completed over one or two years. The blended virtual and in-person program delivery is composed of dynamic online study combined with one term at Loyola’s Rome Center campus in Italy.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 48,150	$ 23,775	$ 24,375
Out of state	$ 48,150	$ 23,775	$ 24,375

* Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing—see the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

Coverdell Fellows are offered a 50% tuition scholarship award.

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

2

Application fee waived?

Yes

Internship

The Fellows will complete a rule of law capstone project as part of their degree requirement, which enables students to gain “real world” experience in rule of law advising. It is the culmination of Loyola University Chicago's PROLAW LLM and MJ programs, allowing students to apply all of the learning obtained through their coursework to address practical rule of law and development issues. Students develop and carry out their capstone projects in partnership with different organizations. The Coverdell Fellows coordinator will work with the Coverdell Fellows in identifying a capstone project topic and an organization to partner with, that aligns and supports the Fellow’s career interests and is related to rule of law and social policy issues in an impoverished and/or socially disadvantaged community within the United States. Students may select from a variety of organizations that Loyola collaborates with, as well as various centers and institutes within Loyola’s Law School. After having completed the project, the Fellows will carry out an internship at the partner organization to implement the project.

Jobs for program alumni

More than 220 Loyola University Chicago PROLAW graduates are now working in over 60 different countries to carry out rule of law reform. After graduation, 99 per cent of alumni report that they are employed—nearly all in the rule of law for development field. PROLAW graduates can be found in various legal, policy, development and management positions at international and regional co-operation and development organizations and development banks, governments and public justice institutions, non-governmental organizations, law firms and corporations, and as faculty and researchers for universities and think-tanks. For example, our graduates have taken positions at leading U.S. rule of law organizations such as the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, National Center for State Courts, Lawyers Without Borders and Oxfam America, and within U.S. government agencies and departments such as USAID and Homeland Security. Many graduates have taken up international positions, within various agencies of the United Nations or at leading international rule of law and development organizations such as the International Development Law Organization, International Organization for Migration and the World Bank.

Other details

Program length

1 year

Application requirements

• College transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Peace Corps Description of Service (DOS)

Program begins

August 28, 2023

Non-traditional options

Non-traditional options

• Blended virtual/in-person degree program includes dynamic online study and one term at Loyola’s Rome Center campus in Italy.
• Part-time completion over two years is also offered.

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2019

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Contact

Karen Alicia Shaw, Director of Graduate Legal Studies