The inaugural class of @WashULaw has students from seven countries including U.S. Foreign students include established lawyers from Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico and Pakistan. The new class of 10 students also includes a member of the Parliament of India, senior partners of law firms and a practicing physician who works in health reform.
Kent Syverud, dean and the Ethan A.H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor, said, “We re pleased to welcome this diverse group of talented attorneys from around the world for the inaugural @WashULaw program …@WashULaw is a natural extension to our residential program in U.S. Law, and we are committed to providing the same high-caliber education to our online students.
@WashULaw is the first top-tier online LLM in U.S. law program open to foreign attorneys who can earn the expertise without leaving their home countries. Courses begin in January, April, July and October. Tuition fees for the 2013-14 academic year is $2,085 per credit. The LLM course needs 24 credits for completion. With local students declining in numbers dramatically, this is an innovative step to rope in foreign students.
Melissa Waters, vice deal, professor of law, and co-director of @WashULaw is bubbling with enthusiasm. She said, “The caliber of this first cohort demonstrates the growing interest among top international lawyers to enhance their understanding of U.S. law and apply what they learn in their practice.”
Waters also said, “Our first online classes have provided a highly interactive, rich discussion of course material among this new group of students, and we are excited to be engaging with them through our innovative online platform.”
Marcelo Lapolla Andrade, a merger and acquisitions lawyer from Brazil said, “The online LLM program at Washington University is the one opportunity I found to improve my academic and professional skills, without having to leave my job, family, or country behind.”