LL.M. AND J.S.M. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to graduate with the LL.M. or J.S.M., a student must successfully complete 24 credits while officially enrolled as a degree seeking candidate, which includes two required courses (Thesis I and Thesis II) and six other courses (each worth three credits each).
The candidate must have obtained a minimum grade point average of 2.5 over the 24 credits in order to be eligible to graduate. If a candidate does not have a 2.5 grade point average, the candidate may continue to take courses up to 36 credits to achieve the minimum grade point average.
The remaining 18 credits (6 courses) may flexibly be organized over time and curriculum to best meet the candidate’s employments needs.
Many candidates continue to take courses after graduation. Generally, candidates who hold a Bachelor of Accountancy require 30 credits to be able to qualify to sit for the state board accountancy exam. Such candidates should consult the relevant examination board to determine the required minimum credits.
Transfer credits
A student may apply to transfer to Thomas Jefferson up to 8 credits maximum from another ABA post-graduate legal education program (e.g. an LL.M., J.S.M., or similar degree). The application to transfer credits may only be made after matriculation into the program. The application to transfer courses must be based upon an official copy of the transcripts, explaining how the courses to be transferred in are identical to the courses at Thomas Jefferson. No course with less than a B (3.0 / 80%) grade will be considered for transfer. Transfer courses may not be applied to certification requirements.
Summa Cum Laude – Magna Cum Laude – Cum Laude Status
The degree certificate will read either Master of Laws, or Master of Science of Laws, International Taxation and Financial Services. Should certain minimum grade point average be achieved over the 24 credits, the degree certificate will further reflect summa cum laude, magna cum laude or cum laude.
Students that complete less than 24 credits at Thomas Jefferson, by example, through transfer credits, are not eligible for summa, magna, or cum laude status.
Required Courses
The two required courses to graduate are: in the first trimester Thesis I, and secondly, the final LL.M. thesis (Thesis II) of at least 12,000 words (40 pages approximately) with a minimum of 10 unique sources and 120 footnotes.
Non-degree Students
Non-degree students may seek admission as a degree student. However, courses completed while a non-degree student may not be applied toward the degree requirements.
CERTIFICATION OF EXPERTISE
Both degree candidates and non-degree students may seek “Certificates of Expertise”. The program offers six Expert Certifications. Each Expert Certification requires five courses be completed at Thomas Jefferson, one of which is the Thesis I course. If a student completes an Expert Certification, then the program will grant that Certification to the student. The Certification document is suitable for framing.
- Anti-Money Laundering & Compliance
- Wealth Management
- Trusts and Estate Planning
- E-commerce
- International Financial Centers
- United States Taxation
Students may take more credits than the 24 required to graduate in order to achieve two or more Certifications of Expertise.
J.S.D. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Upon admission, the J.S.D. candidate has to annually enroll in a J.S.D. thesis course for a minimum of three (3) years, and a maximum of four (4) years. Failure to enroll in this annual course before the completion of the program will be deemed a resignation from the J.S.D. program. Once such a resignation has occurred, the candidate may reapply for admission, which will be decided upon by the J.S.D. admissions committee with or without credit for previous semesters.
Towards completion of the requirements, the J.S.D. candidate has to submit a publishable manuscript of no less than 75,000 words on his or her chosen topic (the dissertation) to his or her supervisor. The supervisor will submit a substantive report on the dissertation of at least ten pages, including the determination of a grade from a slate ranging from summa cum laude (highest honors), to magna cum laude (high honors), to cum laude (honors), to rite (pass), and fail. A second opinion, including a grade, will then be provided by another qualified anonymous supervisor. The average of the two grades is carried over into the rigorosum.
The rigorosum is a one-hour defense of the thesis before a committee of three qualifying faculty. In this defense, not just issues pertaining to the topic of the dissertation, but all issues relating to the field of the dissertation constitute legitimate subject-matters of questioning. The rigorosum may break the tie if the average of the two grades for the dissertation lies between two grades, or it may raise or lower the grade by one grade if the two grades resulting from the dissertation review coincide.
The supervising professors must hold the academic equivalent of a J.S.D., S.J.D. or Ph.D, such as an IBFD Fellowship or other 3- 4 program leading to a published work.
Click here for the official Student Guide with Course Descriptions and Law Program Information in PDF.
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