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.
Related Programs
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 |
| 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 | 3 |
| 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 | 2 |
| 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 |
|---|
| 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.
