About the LLM in Indian Law

24 credits, full or part time.

Seattle University School of Law offers the premier Indian and tribal law program in the Pacific Northwest. The LLM in Indian Law is designed to provide attorneys, judges, and law professors with both academic and practical training in the areas of federal Indian law, traditional forms of tribal governance, and policy within the federal, state, and tribal structures.

Degree Requirements

The LLM candidate must complete 24 credit hours, including four core courses, with the remaining courses chosen from a list of approved electives, which may include experiential learning courses (both clinical and externship) and an independent study. Students may pursue their course of study either full-time over a single year, or part-time over two years. Candidates work closely with the program director to design a program that fulfills not only the degree requirements, but also their professional goals.

Curriculum

Sample Courses (Please note that courses listed below may not be available or offered within a semester or an academic calendar year. The Academic Leadership reserves the right to schedule courses based upon demand and to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and responsive to the industry and emerging trends. You will have the opportunity to discuss your individual curriculum plan with your Program Director to ensure you achieve your academic goals and meet program requirements):

  • American Indian Tribal Law*
  • Administrative Law*
  • Contemporary Issues in Indian Law*
  • Contract Drafting
  • Cybersecurity and Data Breach
  • Environmental Law
  • Federal Indian Law*
  • Indian Land Rights & Aboriginal Title
  • Managing Privacy Risks
  • Mediation Skills
  • Social Impact Advocacy
  • Tribal Administration and Governance*
  • Tribal Governmental Gaming Law*
  • Tribal Taxation*
  • Water Law

*These are considered core courses – minimum of 4 core courses required toward degree unless waived.

Application Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the LLM program, candidates must hold a JD degree or foreign equivalent.
Preferred application deadline: October 15 for Spring applicants and August 1 for Fall applicants.

Apply using this form or apply on www.LSAC.org. In addition to this application form, applicants must submit:

  • Personal Statement (1-2 pages). Please discuss your background, goals, how you plan to use your LLM degree, and any additional information you would like us to know.
  • Nonrefundable $65 (US) application fee (waived for current Seattle U Law students and alumni).
  • A resume or C.V.
  • A list of three references (academic or professional references preferred but not required).
  • For attorneys admitted to practice in any jurisdiction, a Certificate of Good Standing from each such jurisdiction (need not be submitted with application – must be submitted at any time prior to the start of classes)

The following items must be sent to the law school directly from the appropriate institutions:

  • Official transcripts from all academic institutions where you have studied law. American students do not need to send undergraduate transcripts. A certified translation must be attached if the transcript is not in English.
  • If English is not your first language, official TOEFL score report must be sent directly from ETC. TOEFL is waived for students whose first language is English, who attended an educational institution in which English was the primary language of instruction, or who worked in an English-speaking environment for one year or more.

Tuition and Fees

Preferred deadline for financial aid is November 15 for Spring applicants and June 15 for Fall applicants.

Tuition for the LLM is $1,611 per credit. Tuition Deposit: This $250 nonrefundable deposit is applied to your first semester's tuition and ensures you a place in the entering class. The deposit is due one month after the date of admission.

Tuition is paid per term, and determined by the number of credits you are taking. You may pay tuition charges with financial aid, personal resources, and/or employer benefits. If you choose not to use financial aid or have remaining charges after financial aid is applied to your account, you may arrange a payment plan directly with the law school business office, (206) 398-4050.