The LL.M. Program in Elder Law
The LL.M. program in Elder Law builds on the strengths of the KU School of Law's existing elder law curriculum by expanding course offerings and clinical opportunities, and incorporating a faculty-supervised thesis focused on an elder law topic. The objective of the program is to produce graduates who are both knowledgeable and proficient in the law that affects elder citizens. The clinical component of the program ensures that candidates have practical experience in handling common legal problems faced by the elderly population.
The LL.M. program in Elder Law was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in 2003 and began enrolling students in Spring 2005. Once admitted candidates may begin the program in fall or spring or summer (if appropriate courses are offered). The program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis. Fall preferred.
Admissions/Applications
Applicants are directed to send completed applications to the attention of the Program Director. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Your application for the LL.M. Program in Elder Law will be complete upon receipt of the following:
- Completed Application for Admission
- $50 application fee
- Personal Statement explaining your interest in the program
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A certified copy of your transcript from the institution which awarded (or will award) your J.D.
All materials should be sent to:
Prof. Sandra Craig McKenzie
Director, LL.M. Program in Elder Law
1535 W. 15th St.
Lawrence, KS 66045
Admissions Standards
- a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- a minimum 2.5 GPA in J.D. course work (4.0 scale, potentially waivable if applicant has been out of law school more than 5 years)
- other criteria, including a demonstrated interest in elder law and the potential to complete the program successfully
Tuition
At this time, LL.M. candidates will be assessed costs, fees, and tuition equal to those assessed J.D. students. A special fee or fees applied to graduate students may also be assessed.
The Curriculum
The requirements of the program are as follows.
-
a total of 24 post-J.D. credit hours
-
12-14 post-J.D. credit hours of course work pursuant to an individualized plan
-
-
4-6 post-JD. credit hours of work on a faculty-supervised thesis on an elder law topic
To earn the LL.M. in Elder Law a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours with a GPA of 2.5 for those hours. The required curriculum includes a two semester elder law research project, a two semester clinical component, and a thesis.
Required Courses
|
Credits
|
Elder Law Clinic LAW 927
(two semester sequence 3 credits each) |
6 |
Elder Law Research Project LAW 902
(two semesters 1 credit each) |
2 |
Elder Law LL.M. Thesis LAW 849
(may be spread over 2-3 semesters) |
4 - 6 |
TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS |
12 - 14 |
In addition, the candidate will choose 10-12 credits of electives from the following courses. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the Elder Law LL.M. Program Director (the Director) or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Elective Courses
|
Credits
|
| Law School Electives |
|
| Administrative Law LAW 850 |
3 |
| Agency (Bus. Assoc. I) LAW 865 |
1 |
| Bankruptcy LAW 889 |
3 |
| Current Issues in Poverty Law LAW 876 |
1 |
| Estates and Trusts LAW 996 |
3 |
| Estate Planning: Principles LAW 906 |
3 |
| Estate Planning: Practice LAW 907 |
3 |
| Health Law and Policy LAW 919 |
3 |
| Law and Bioethics LAW 942 |
2 |
| Mental Health Law LAW 962 |
2 |
| Public Benefits Law LAW 973 |
2 - 3 |
Public Policy Clinic LAW 976
(on approved Elder Law topic) |
3 |
| Qualified Retirement Plans LAW 897 |
2 |
| Non-Law Course Electives* |
|
| Social Work and Aging SW 833 |
3 |
Proseminar in Communications & Aging
COMS 784 / PSYCH 785 |
1 |
| Readings in Gerontology HDFL 741 |
3 - 5 |
| The Psychology of Aging PSYCH 691 |
3 |
Gerontology Proseminar
COMS 787 / HDFL 787 / PSYCH 787 |
3 |
TOTAL ELECTIVE HOURS
*maximum of 6 non-law |
10-12
|
DEGREE TOTAL |
24 |
