Comparative and Legal Thought

Description: The Master of Arts in Comparative and Legal Thought at Yeshiva University is a unique interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in exploring the intersections between law, philosophy, cultural studies, and social theory. This program aims to cultivate critical thinking and deepen understanding of complex legal and societal issues across different contexts and traditions. Students will engage with a broad range of topics including legal philosophy, constitutional law, human rights, religious law, and the philosophical foundations of justice. Through rigorous coursework, seminars, and research projects, students will develop analytical skills necessary for scholarly research, legal practice, or policy-making roles. The curriculum emphasizes comparative analysis, encouraging students to explore legal systems and thought across diverse cultures and historical periods. This program prepares graduates for careers in academia, legal advocacy, government agencies, international organizations, or other fields requiring nuanced understanding of legal and moral systems. Students benefit from expert faculty, many of whom are renowned scholars in law, philosophy, and social sciences, and from engaging in a vibrant academic community that promotes dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program also offers opportunities for internships, conferences, and collaboration with legal practitioners and scholars worldwide, enriching students' professional and intellectual development. With a flexible structure allowing for specialization in areas of personal interest, the MA in Comparative and Legal Thought is an ideal choice for students seeking to challenge conventional narratives and contribute to ongoing debates on law and justice. Graduates leave equipped with critical skills, a broad global perspective, and a deep appreciation for the complexities of legal and moral thought in a changing world.

• A minimum of 24 credits overall
• Graduates of foreign law schools must take Introduction to U.S. Law and two semesters of the advanced workshop in legal research and writing
• At least 12 in-class credits in courses related to comparative legal thought. This includes courses in constitutional law, legal theory, philosophy, religion and other humanities-focused interdisciplinary approaches.
• A three-credit thesis in a topic related to some aspect of comparative legal thought is required. Applicants should begin researching possible topics and supervisors early in the application process and should secure the agreement of an appropriate Cardozo faculty member as early in the program as possible.

Courses

• Advanced Criminal Law
• Advanced Human Rights and Genocide Clinic
• +Advanced Jewish Law
• Authority and Liberty
• Citizenship, Equality & International Human Rights
• +Comparative Constitutionalism
• Comparative Corporate Governance
• Comparative First Amendment
• Comparative Law
• Comparative Remedies
• Concepts of Justice
• Constitutional & Statutory Interpretation
• Constitutional Interpretation
• Constitutional Law I 
• Constitutional Law II
• Contemporary Conflicts and the Law
• European Union Law
• Family Law
• First Amendment
• Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology
• From Socrates to Dr. Spock: Treason, Sedition and Protected Speech
• History of Western Law
• Human Rights & Genocide Clinic
• Human Rights in Law, History & Philosophy
• International Dispute Resolution
• International Law
• +Intro to Jewish Law
• +Jewish Law and Contemporary Legal Issues
• Jurisprudence
• Law & Film
• +Law and Literature
• Law & Psychology
• Law and Justice: Liberalism and Its Critics
• Law and Psychoanalysis
• +Law and Religion
• Law of War and Contemporary Conflicts
• Law, Ethics & Psychoanalysis
• Liberal Jurisprudence and Its Challenges
• Maimonides: Law and Philosophy
• Multiculturalism/Human Rights of Women
• Neuroscience and the Law
• New School Program
• Political Philosophy and Jewish Law
• +Psychoanalysis and the Law
• Sexual Orientation, Gender and the Law
• The Legal and Social Status of Jews in the Classical Era and the Shaping of Jewish Identity: Between Israel and Diaspora
• Theories of Punishment
• Transitional Justice and Accountability
• Vichy France, Europe and the Holocaust: The Spoliation and Restitution Dimension

• You must hold a first degree in law (JD, LLB, or an equivalent degree) from a foreign law faculty.
• If you do NOT hold a first degree in law, you must be licensed to practice in your home country or have passed the national bar exam, and have significant professional experience.
• You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university or its equivalent and a first degree in law from an ABA-approved law school.
• Application.  

You are strongly encouraged to submit the LLM application electronically (including the application form, application fee, resume, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and transcripts) using the LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS).  Paper materials and updates will require additional processing by our staff and will delay the review of your application by the Admissions Committee.
• $50 Application fee. If you are applying through LSAC LLM CAS, you will submit your fee online by credit card when you complete your online application. 
• Resume/curriculum vitae.  

Information should be current to the date of application. 
• Personal statement.  

Limited to two (2) typed, double-spaced pages.  The statement should describe your reasons for pursuing an LLM degree and include any information you believe would be helpful to the Admissions Committee in making its decision. 
• Two letters of recommendation. 

Letters may be written by law school professors, and employers or colleagues whose supervisory positions permit informed evaluations of your qualifications. Letters should be submitted through the LLM CAS.  Hard copies with original signatures may be sent directly to the Office of Admissions if you do not register with LLM CAS.  Xeroxed or scanned letters, unsigned letters, or emailed recommendations will not be accepted.
• Official transcript of law degree and any other degrees earned from any college, university, graduate school, or professional school.  

The transcript should be an official record from the academic institution, clearly indicating the dates of attendance, the courses taken, the grades received, and the degree conferred.  Transcripts should be submitted through the LLM CAS.
• Official transcript of coursework (one semester or more) completed at any college, university, graduate school, or professional school. 

The transcript should be an official record from the academic institution, clearly indicating the dates of attendance, the courses taken, and the grades received.
• Credential evaluation.  

International applicants are strongly encouraged to use the LLM CAS International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service.  Evaluations provide the Admissions Committee with your US grade equivalency and facilitate the review process.  
• TOEFL: 100
• IELTS: 7.0 Overall Band Score

Scholarships

• The Dean's Merit Scholarship (for international and domestic LLMs)   
• The Distinguished LL.M. Scholar Award (for international and domestic LLMs)   
• The Milgat Uriel & Caroline Bauer LL.M. Scholarship 

The program in Comparative and Legal Thought at Yeshiva University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of legal systems, philosophical approaches to law, and the cultural contexts that influence legal development worldwide. This interdisciplinary program combines courses from law, philosophy, history, and political science to equip students with critical analytical skills and a deep appreciation for the diversity of legal traditions across different societies. Students engage with core topics such as constitutional law, human rights, legal theory, and comparative jurisprudence, allowing them to compare and contrast legal frameworks and examine their social and ethical implications. The curriculum emphasizes not only theoretical knowledge but also practical analysis and critical thinking, preparing graduates for careers in law, public policy, academia, or international organizations. The program often includes opportunities for internships, research projects, and participation in seminars led by leading scholars in the field. Graduates of the Comparative and Legal Thought program are equipped to analyze complex legal issues from multiple cultural perspectives and to articulate well-reasoned arguments grounded in both legal principles and philosophical reasoning. The program’s international focus aims to foster global-minded legal professionals capable of engaging with international law and cross-cultural legal challenges. Collaboration with various departments within Yeshiva University enriches the academic experience, providing students with diverse viewpoints and interdisciplinary resources. Overall, the program strives to cultivate thoughtful, informed, and ethically responsible individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of law and legal scholarship worldwide.