UConn Law Offers New Master of Laws Degree

The new program, offering a fifth LLM degree at the School of Law, will allow students to specialize in corporate and regulatory governance, financial and insurance-based risk management, or compliance.

A view of the Meskill Law Library at the UConn School of Law campus in Hartford. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

A new Master of Laws program at the UConn School of Law is designed to meet an increasing demand for legally trained compliance officers. The American Bar Association recently granted acquiescence to the Governance, Risk Management and Compliance LLM program, which is accepting applicants to begin their studies in January 2022.

The new program offers a comprehensive course of study in corporate and regulatory governance, financial and insurance-based risk management, and compliance. In addition to five required courses, students may further specialize by taking electives in the area of their choosing to fulfill the credit requirement for graduation. Most LLM students at UConn Law graduate after two semesters of study.

“While here, students will be immersed in the full range of courses that the program offers while also having the chance to do some practical training,” said Professor Peter Lindseth, director of international programs. “This program is an ideal way for domestic and international students to gain the skills needed to work in any large-scale organization.”

Lindseth said the new program builds on existing professional certificates in corporate and regulatory compliance the law school offers jointly with the UConn School of Business. The LLM program is open to lawyers who have earned a JD or foreign law degree. International students who enroll are eligible for a student visa.

“I’m excited that we are expanding our LLM programs to include Governance, Risk Management and Compliance,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson said. “By furthering their knowledge and skills in these important areas, students will be well-equipped to contribute greatly to their organizations.”

The new degree is the fifth LLM program available at the UConn School of Law, joining programs in Insurance Law, U.S. Legal Studies, Energy and Environmental Law, and Human Rights and Social Justice. The law school also offers an Executive LLM in U.S. Law to students studying at Hallym University of Graduate Studies in Seoul, South Korea.

Students pursuing LLM degrees at UConn Law study with JD students and have the opportunity to gain practical experience by enrolling in a wide range of clinics and field placement programs.