The LL.M. Curriculum and Courses

The LL.M. Program at AUCA is a two-year program. The curriculum, credit hours, and course delivery parameters are modeled on American standards. The Program is established for those who would like to continue their education and to specialize in either a general or specific field of law, depending upon students’ interests. Students will have an opportunity to enlarge their body of knowledge in their field and to learn new areas of law.

The curriculum can be customized within International Public Law and/or International Business Law. Students will choose a concentration based upon their professional goals and personal interests. The available courses are designed to provide students with skills that will benefit their careers in the future, whether in law, government, business, academia, or related fields. 

All students will take required courses that provide comparative legal learning on important contemporary issues in jurisprudence. No matter what career path graduates take, a foundation in international and comparative law will help students understand the legal world around them.

Elective courses provide knowledge in specific subjects that students can apply in their careers. Students are encouraged to meet with professors to determine which courses are most appropriate for their goals.

Students who choose to complete the dual degree option will be able to study in the second year of studies in a partner institution in the USA or Europe. Curriculum requirements for the dual degree program can be discussed individually with the AUCA administration (llm@auca.kg).

The successful completion of the LL.M. program requires that 120 credits be earned over four semesters. The following courses are included in the curriculum:

• Required Courses and Activities (71 credits):

1. Philosophy of Law (3 cr);
2. Comparative Law in a Changing World (6 cr);
3. Law and Economics (3 cr);
4. Law Teaching Methodology  (3 cr);
5. Legal Analysis, Research and Writing (6 cr);
6. Advanced Issues of Public International Law (6 cr);
7. Advanced Legal Issues (10 cr);
8. Individual Student Research (10 cr);
9. Internship (10 cr);
10. Writing Thesis Paper (12 cr).

• Elective Courses (49 credits)*:

1. International Trade Law;
2. Investment Law and Sustainable Development;
3. Comparative Competition Law;
4. International Environmental Law and Sustainable Development;
5. Internet Law;
6. International Commercial Arbitration;
7. Comparative Corporate Governance;
8. International Taxation;
9. Mediation: Alternative Dispute Resolution Technology;
10. Corruption, Development and Good  Governance;
11. Globalizing Human Rights and Rule of Law;
12. UN Efforts for Sustaining Peace;
13. WTO and Human Rights;
14. International Human Rights Law;
15. Comparative Constitutional Law;
16. International Criminal Law.

*This is not an exhaustive list of elective courses.

Please refer to the LL.M. Program Checklist for more information on the courses.

Please refer to the Catalogue of LLM Elective Courses for more information on the elective courses and their descriptions.