Joint J.D. and LL.M. in Advocacy

Stetson University College of Law offers a J.D./LL.M. joint-degree program, allowing qualified Stetson JD students the opportunity to earn both a JD degree and an LLM in Advocacy degree from Stetson.  

Students in good standing in Stetson's JD program can apply for admission to the joint-degree program by completing a J.D./LL.M. Application for Admission (PDF) and Statement of Interest (PDF). If admitted, JD students must take 12 credits of certain curriculum (see below). 

When a student in the program graduates with their JD degree, they have two years to enroll in Stetson's online Advocacy LL.M. Program. Upon enrollment, the 12 credits earned during their J.D. enrollment will be applied to the 24 credits needed to achieve the Advocacy LL.M. Degree. The LL.M. Degree (remaining 12 credits) must be completed within 2 years of enrollment via online classes. The Advocacy LL.M. courses can be viewed here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this one degree or two?

Students who complete the required curriculum will receive two degrees, a J.D. and an LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Advocacy.

Do I need to be a Stetson student to participate in this program?

Yes, you must be enrolled in Stetson's J.D. program to participate.

Why should I participate in this joint degree program?

While bar admission and a J.D. permit young lawyers to practice law, an LL.M. in Advocacy will set you apart from your counterparts. You will have a higher level of education and an advanced set of practice skills, making you potentially more attractive to both firms and government agencies. In the LL.M. portion of the program, you will create a portfolio that includes writing and performance samples for prospective employers.

When can a Stetson J.D. student begin this program?

A J.D. student in good standing may apply for the program in their third full-time semester pending successful completion of their courses. December graduates can start immediately after graduation in the next (spring) semester. May graduates can start in the fall.

How long do I have to complete this program?

A student must begin the LL.M. program within two years of conferral of the J.D. degree. A student must complete the LL.M. program within two years of starting LL.M. course work.

What are the steps in the application process?

Interested students must complete an Application for Admission and a Statement of Interest, which expresses a desire to enroll in the joint-degree program. Full-time students must apply by the end of the fall semester of their second-year. Part-time students must submit the application by the end of the spring semester of their second year. Part-time students who convert to the full-time program must submit an Application for Admission no later than the end of the semester in which they convert from the part-time program to the full-time program.

What is the cost of the program?

The current J.D. rates apply. For the LLM rates, please see the Tuition & Fees LL.M. Advocacy website which has the most up-to-date information.

What courses do I need to take as a J.D. in order to get credit toward my LL.M. Degree?

You must take Tethered Evidence, Tethered Trial Advocacy and Pretrial Practice. You must also take one or more elective courses from the list below to achieve a total of 12 credits to be applied toward the LL.M. requirement.

 

• Arbitration
• Complex Litigation
• Expert Witnesses (LL.M. course only)
• International Sales Law and Arbitration
• Interviewing and Counseling
• Jury Selection
• Negotiation and Mediation
• Remedies
• White Collar Advocacy

Is this joint degree online?

The J.D. classes that achieve credit toward the LL.M. degree are synchronous, in-person J.D. courses like all other law school classes. Following graduation and conferral of your J.D. degree, enrollment in the LL.M. Program and all subsequent LL.M. classes are conducted online. 

The online Advocacy LL.M. Program is designed with the demanding schedules of practicing attorneys in mind. Stetson's LL.M. in Advocacy is designed to be as flexible and convenient as possible. The Program uses an online, distance-learning model, including but not limited to viewing recorded lectures, live online sessions, discussion boards, and video feedback. The Program provides students opportunities for writing advocacy-related publishable works and creating innovative advocacy training courses. 

I graduated from Stetson a couple of years ago. Am I eligible to participate in the joint J.D./LL.M. program?

No. A Stetson University College of Law graduate is not permitted to participate in the joint degree program because you must apply and be accepted into the joint program while a J.D. student. BUT you can apply for admission and enroll in Stetson's LL.M. in Advocacy Program! It is the same curriculum, but you would need to complete 24 credits to obtain your LL.M. in Advocacy degree. You can read more about the program here.

What are the academic qualifications for admission?

An enrolled student in Stetson's J.D. Program with a cumulative grade point average of 2.4 or above and not subject to the Further Required Curriculum is eligible to apply. Students below that grade point average must consult with the Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

If you have any additional questions, please email: advocacy@law.stetson.edu