MJ in Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW)

The Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) in Rule of Law for Development is a practice-oriented degree for nonlegal professionals. You will receive the advanced training and skills you need to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen both the rule of law and prospects for national development in your country and geographical region.

Our Commitment to You

Upon graduation with an MJ in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values:

You will 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. You will be able to 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. You will also 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.

You will be able to:

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

You will be able to inspire, lead, and manage efforts to strengthen the rule of law and prospects for national development, considering the interests of all stakeholders, incorporating diverse viewpoints, being willing to accept iterative progress, and respecting equality and human rights.

By The Numbers

99%

of PROLAW Graduates are Employed after Graduation

61

Countries are represented among PROLAW Graduates

6

Billion People Live in a Country Where Rule of Law is Declining

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 online study and one term of in-person classes 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.

Legal Systems and Methods
History, Theory and Practice of Law for Development
Research and Writing on the Rule of Law
Principles of International Economic Law
Comparative and Ethical Lawyering for the Rule of Law

International Development Architecture
Theory and Practice of Assessments in Rule of Law Advising
Design of Rule of Law Programs and Proposal Preparation
Rule of Law Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
Rule of Law in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

Rule of Law Capstone Project

The curriculum is supported by the Rule of Law Lecture Series with prominent rule of law professionals.

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, while maintaining the GPA requirement. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.

Admission

To apply for the PROLAW MJ program, you must possess a bachelor’s degree or the international equivalent from an accredited college or university. You must also demonstrate a professional connection to the subject area through: two years of professional experience; current employment in a closely related industry; or documented evidence of academic and professional preparation demonstrating an intention to pursue professional opportunities involving the rule of law.

AUGUST 1: Application deadline, fall enrollment only

Outcomes

Marine Harutyunyan

Alum, Armenia

Monitoring and Reporting Officer, International Development Law Organization (IDLO)

“The PROLAW MJ provides a core understanding of the law, helps you understand what rule of law is, how it contributes to the development of societies, and how it can be applied to further enhance the sustainable development in a given country.”

Rachel Abrego

Alum, USA

Program Manager, Human RIghts NGO

“Living and studying in a different country, and being part of such a multicultural learning experience, is transformational. The Rome location provides unique opportunities to network with rule of law professionals at development and humanitarian relief organizations.”

Innocent Chamisa

Alum, Zimbabwe

Land Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

“With a scientific background in rural development and sustainable natural resource management, PROLAW’s practical learning experience was crucial to developing the skills I needed to impact communities as a food and agriculture expert.”

Tuition and Fees

The School of Law and Loyola's Office of Student Financial Assistance are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their legal education at Loyola affordable.

As part of our commitment, we offer several awards to qualified, admitted students.

FAQs

Loyola’s PROLAW program attracts a diverse student population. It is comprised of attorneys with practice experience as well as other professionals with experience in the rule of law field. The program follows a cohort model, where you take your courses in a prescribed order with the same group of students. Your PROLAW cohort will be from around the world. Typically, each cohort has representation from fifteen countries with men and women with 2 to 15 years of professional work experience. You will find your fellow students will bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to your studies.

Courses are taught by experienced practitioners who have multijurisdictional experience in supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the rule of law. Fall courses are offered online, asynchronously, through Loyola’s learning management system. Students will undertake their spring term courses at Loyola’s Rome Center campus in Italy. You will find that this experience will help you establish unique bonds with your fellow students, enhancing your learning and expanding your network. The Rome location provides opportunities to develop valuable networks with leading international rule of law, development and humanitarian relief organizations headquartered in Rome, as well as other Italian and European institutions.

For students interested in completing the program at a slower pace, there is an option to complete over 5 terms, two academic years. This part-time option provides more flexibility for busy professionals. Students begin the program with a series of required foundational courses online but are still required to partake in a term abroad at Loyola’s Rome Campus in Italy. Students complete the program with a capstone project delivered at the end of the second academic year. Students interested in the part-time option should communicate their interest, during the application phase or as soon as possible, via email at prolaw@luc.edu.

The capstone project allows you to apply the knowledge and skills gained through the program to your own area of interest. Past students have focused their projects on: avoiding conflict or re-building peace and security following conflict; protecting vulnerable citizens from violence, displacement and trafficking; strengthening constitutions and key governing institutions; spurring economic development and trade; building inclusive economies where men and women have equal opportunities; preventing and combating corruption; providing access to justice; and mitigating the consequences of climate change on the poor. Some students have chosen to develop their projects together with an external organization, thereby supporting its efforts to address a specific problem or challenge within its mandate and providing a close collaboration opportunity.

There is no required internship in the program. Several students have chosen to complete relevant internships after the end of the program at organizations such as the World Bank, Organization of American States, International Development Law Organization, International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UN International Fund for Agricultural Development, UN World Food Program, African Union, and the international criminal tribunals. Students are responsible for securing their internships, but the program offers application support and several internship stipends to successful applicants.

Loyola's PROLAW MJ will help you develop practice-ready skills and analytical abilities to immediately assume careers in development, justice, legal empowerment, security, human rights, gender equity, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, corporate social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.

Our graduates work in a variety of positions, improving the social, legal, and economic development of their societies, including as program managers and associates, consultants, and national experts at civil society, international or government organizations and non-profits.

Due to the unique nature of the PROLAW program, all of the courses in the Rule of Law for Development MJ are mandatory and there is no opportunity for students to transfer credits from other programs or institutions.

Most international applicants are required to submit a current official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) score report. The law school requires the following minimum overall scores: TOEFL 95 (IBT) with minimum scores of 24 in the writing and reading sections, IELTS 7 with minimum scores of 7 in the writing and reading sections, Duolingo 125, and PTE 75. Scores must be received directly from the testing service and are valid for two years from the test date. Loyola’s code for receiving official TOEFL and IELTS scores is 1412. The English Proficiency Exam requirement is waived for applicants from the countries listed here, or who are currently completing or who have completed a bachelor’s degree or master's degree in the U.S. or at a recognized institution in the listed countries at which the language of instruction is English. Note that Loyola offers admission through the international conditional admission program (ICAP) for students who have demonstrated academic achievement, but who may need additional English language preparation in order to succeed in their courses. Contact prolaw@luc.edu for more information.

If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit your official education credentials (e.g., transcripts, mark sheets, degree certificates, graduation diplomas, etc.) and evaluation fee directly to any NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member company or the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Please note that only official documents should be submitted to the transcript evaluator, as Loyola only accepts official documents and not copies. You should request a General Evaluation with Grade Average. You should request your chosen evaluation agency to send the evaluation directly to Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management (GPEM) at gradapp@luc.edu, and that they send your evaluated transcripts along with the report. Learn more completing your transcript evaluation here.

The PROLAW MJ program consists of 30 academic credit hours. The tuition rate in 2024-25 is $1,640 per credit hour, equating to a total tuition cost for the program of $49,200. In addition, you will need to pay $125 in student technology fees for both the fall and spring terms. You will also need to pay the $180 student development fee and $170 CISI health insurance fee for the spring term at the Rome campus. All fees are payable in the first term of the year. Note that the vast majority of course resources are available electronically for free, but you may be required to purchase textbooks or online program access codes as a mandatory requirement of the course.

Applicants who want to be considered for scholarships will need to review the and follow the outlined instructions to apply. Scholarships are awarded to admitted students, of any nationality, on a merit and needs basis. Applicants seeking financial assistance should investigate funding sources in their home countries. US citizens and permanent residents may qualify for one of the financial aid programs offered by the Loyola University Chicago. Please consult the Loyola University Chicago Financial Aid Office.

More than 220 women and men from over 60 countries have attended the program since its launch in 2011. Most graduates have returned to their home countries or regional organizations across five continents and have become recognized rule of law leaders in their communities. Others have launched successful international careers. The PROLAW Alumni Network is an alumni-led initiative that aims to provide professional resources to fellow PROLAW students and alumni, and serves as a forum to foster a strong international rule of law community with strong ties to the PROLAW program.

Rule of Law for Development Program

Loyola’s Rule of Law for Development (PROLAW) program is a unique academic and experiential learning program that prepares students for jobs in the U.S. and abroad in the growing rule of law and development field, allowing for wide-ranging career options in the public, private, civil society and academic sectors.

Learn more about our program