LLM in Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW)
The Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development is a practice-oriented degree for law graduates and lawyers. You will receive the advanced training and skills you need to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen both the rule of law and prospects for national development in your country and geographical region.
Our Commitment to You
Upon graduation with an LLM in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values:
By The Numbers
99%
of PROLAW Graduates are Employed After Graduation
63
Countries are Represented Among PROLAW Graduates
6
Billion People Live in a Country where Rule of Law is Declining
Curriculum
You can complete this 27 credit LLM degree in one academic year, or over two years. This blended virtual and in-person degree includes online study and one term of in-person classes at our Loyola Rome Center campus in Italy. There is one annual program intake each year, in the fall.
The curriculum combines theory with practice in the course work, allowing you to gain both the knowledge of key topics and issues, and the skills all rule of law professionals need to work effectively on rule of law and development matters. Your courses will be taught by experienced practitioners who have multijurisdictional experience in supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the rule of law.
The curriculum is supported by the Rule of Law Lecture Series with prominent rule of law professionals.
Degree Requirements
To earn a PROLAW LLM, you must complete 27 credit hours of coursework, including nine courses and a major rule of law capstone project, while maintaining the GPA requirement. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.
Admission
To apply to the program, you must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent as well as a primary law degree. Additionally, you should demonstrate an interest or experience in rule of law and governance matters through past work or volunteer experience.
AUGUST 1: Application deadline, fall enrollment only
Testimonials
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Anurag Devkota"
Anurag Devkota
Alum, Nepal
Human Rights Lawyer, Law and Policy Forum For Social Justice (LAPSOJ)
“PROLAW helped shape my career in the rule of law field. The needs-assessment, international development architecture theories and comparative lawyering skills obtained in the program were central to my work.”
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Emily Patterson
Alumn, USA
Co-Executive Director, State Capture: Research and Action
“The curriculum focuses on both the theoretical aspects of development and how to design effective and sustainable development programs, which allowed me to be more structured and impactful in my work.”

Ashot Agaian
Alum, Ukraine
Senior Legal Officer, The Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights
“PROLAW gave me a better understanding of development work. Having learned about the different legal systems and how the rule of law has developed, I can be more effective and successful in my project designs by tailoring the objectives and activities to the specific needs of the particular country.”
Tuition and Fees
The School of Law and Loyola's Office of Student Financial Assistance are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their legal education at Loyola affordable.
As part of our commitment, we offer several awards to qualified, admitted students.
FAQs
Rule of Law for Development Program
Loyola’s Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) program is a unique academic and experiential learning program that educates lawyers and other professionals to work in the growing rule of law and development field, whether in the public, private, civil society, or academic sectors.
Rule of Law Institute
This Institute is established within Loyola as a center for the advancement of the rule of law. We seek to develop ground-breaking research, produce new solutions, and prompt real change that will empower individual lives, assist economic development, and advance legal standing.
The Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development is a practice-oriented degree for law graduates and lawyers. You will receive the advanced training and skills you need to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen both the rule of law and prospects for national development in your country and geographical region.
Our Commitment to You
Upon graduation with an LLM in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values:
Curriculum
You can complete this 27 credit LLM degree in one academic year, or over two years. This blended virtual and in-person degree includes online study and one term of in-person classes at our Loyola Rome Center campus in Italy. There is one annual program intake each year, in the fall.
The curriculum combines theory with practice in the course work, allowing you to gain both the knowledge of key topics and issues, and the skills all rule of law professionals need to work effectively on rule of law and development matters. Your courses will be taught by experienced practitioners who have multijurisdictional experience in supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the rule of law.
The curriculum is supported by the Rule of Law Lecture Series with prominent rule of law professionals.
Degree Requirements
To earn a PROLAW LLM, you must complete 27 credit hours of coursework, including nine courses and a major rule of law capstone project, while maintaining the GPA requirement. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.
Admission
To apply to the program, you must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent as well as a primary law degree. Additionally, you should demonstrate an interest or experience in rule of law and governance matters through past work or volunteer experience.
AUGUST 1: Application deadline, fall enrollment only