To overcome the world’s challenges—violence, infringements of human rights, environmental destruction, poverty and hunger—rule of law is essential. Rule of law is also essential to supporting commerce, attracting investment, and achieving sustainable economic growth.

The Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) in Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) is a practice-oriented degree program for non-legal professionals, which will prepare you to become a leader, reformer and driver of change in the expanding effort to advance the rule of law throughout society and across sectors, within your own country and around the world.

Curriculum

You can complete this 30 credit MJ degree in one academic year, or over two years. This blended virtual and in-person degree includes both online study and a term 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.

Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
PLAW 101	Comparative and Ethical Lawyering for the Rule of Law	3
PLAW 102	History, Theory and Practice of Rule of Law for Development	3
PLAW 103	Theory and Practice of Assessments in Rule of Law Advising	2
PLAW 104	International Development Architecture	3
PLAW 106	Design of Rule of Law Programs and Proposal Preparation	2
PLAW 107	Rule of Law in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding	2
PLAW 108	Legal Systems and Methods	3
PLAW 110	Principles of International Economic Law	3
PLAW 250	Research and Writing on the Rule of Law	3
PLAW 253	Rule of Law Capstone Project	3
PLAW 907	Rule of Law Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation	3
Total Hours		30

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Hours
PLAW 108	Legal Systems and Methods	3
PLAW 102	History, Theory and Practice of Rule of Law for Development	3
PLAW 250	Research and Writing on the Rule of Law	3
PLAW 110	Principles of International Economic Law	3
PLAW 101	Comparative and Ethical Lawyering for the Rule of Law	3
	Hours	15
Spring
PLAW 104	International Development Architecture	3
PLAW 103	Theory and Practice of Assessments in Rule of Law Advising	2
PLAW 106	Design of Rule of Law Programs and Proposal Preparation	2
PLAW 907	Rule of Law Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation	3
PLAW 107	Rule of Law in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding	2
	Hours	12
Summer
PLAW 253	Rule of Law Capstone Project	3
	Hours	3
	Total Hours	30

Degree Requirements

To earn a PROLAW MJ, you must complete 30 credit hours of coursework, including ten courses and a major rule of law capstone project. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process. You may access full course descriptions here.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

You will be able to:

• Comprehend how the rule of law develops in society and the role and practices of domestic and international institutions in establishing and maintaining the rule of law
• Describe the central features, branches and notions of law and the evolution of legal systems, and the legal methods and concepts employed when carrying out rule of law initiatives
• Comprehend the current frameworks for sustainable development, the environment and the rule of law, and the dynamic relationship between models of governance and the rule of law
• Conduct research on rule of law and development topics and carry out assessments of rule of law problems
• Draft documents relating to rule of law and development, using legal terminology and reasoning
• Develop a conceptual framework or theory of change to create optimal sequencing of legal reform for development
• Support the implementation of rule of law initiatives which take into account varied legal cultures and systems
• Guide rule of law initiatives and economic activity that are consistent with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
• Develop and manage rule of law programs, projects and national initiatives that employ appropriate methods and project management tools
• Prepare funding proposals for rule of law projects
• Advise on how applicable institutional and legal frameworks facilitate or place limitations on rule of law initiatives
• Devise and apply strategies for effective international and inter-organizational engagement and cooperation for rule of law and governance development in conflict prevention, reducing state instability, and peacebuilding