Global Health Law and International Institutions

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Global Health Law and International Institutions at Georgetown University is a specialized graduate program designed to prepare students to address complex health challenges through legal and policy frameworks. This program combines rigorous academic coursework, practical experiences, and engagement with leading global health institutions, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to influence health policy and promote equitable health outcomes worldwide. Students will explore critical topics such as international health regulations, human rights, legal aspects of emerging infectious diseases, access to medicines, health governance, and the role of international organizations like the World Health Organization, World Bank, and United Nations. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating legal analysis with public health principles, and encourages active participation in seminars, workshops, and internships. Through its distinguished faculty and global network, the program offers unparalleled opportunities for interaction with practitioners, policymakers, and scholars in the field of global health law. Graduates will be prepared for careers in international organizations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, law firms, and academia, where they can contribute to shaping and implementing policies that improve health systems globally. With a focus on comparative legal analysis and current global health issues, the LL.M. in Global Health Law and International Institutions at Georgetown University is committed to fostering leaders who can effectively navigate the legal dimensions of health in a rapidly changing world.

Students pursuing the Global Health Law & International Institutions LL.M. degree must complete the general degree requirements that apply to all LL.M. students, whether U.S.-trained or foreign-trained. 

In addition to these general requirements, the following specific requirements apply:

At Georgetown Law

Students must complete a total of 12 credits at Georgetown Law, of which 10 credits must be Global Health Law "specialization credits". 

As part of their required Global Health Law specialization credits, students must take the 4-credit course Global Health Law.

The remaining credits must be completed from an array of other health-related courses found in the Curriculum Guide.

Students must earn a minimum grade point average of "B-" (2.67/4.00) in the courses that are counted toward the LL.M. in Global Health Law and International Institutions specialization requirements.

Foreign-trained students (with their first degree in law from outside the United States):While not required, students are strongly recommended to enroll in U.S. Legal Research, Analysis and Writing. This course counts toward the 12 credit degree requirement but not the 10 specialization credits.

At the Graduate Institute (Geneva)

Students must complete a total of 39 credits at the Graduate Institute (one Georgetown Law credit is approximately equal to three Graduate Institute credits), of which 24 credits must be from courses in international law, humanitarian law, international trade law, international environmental law, refugee law and policy, international affairs, and international development studies, including:

• Global Health Diplomacy
• Human Rights Through the Concepts
• Treatymaking in Contemporary International Society
• Judicial Interpretation of Human Rights
• Terrorism and International Law
• Advanced Seminar on WTO Jurisprudence
• The Security Council and Issues of Responsibility
• The Fight Against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
• International Criminal Courts and Tribunals (Academy)
• The UN and the Emerging Culture of Impunity (Academy)
• Multilateral Governance and International Organizations
• Global Environmental Governance
• Environment, Population and Development
• Managing the Global Commons
• International Migration
• Water Conflicts, Security and Cooperation

As part of their required 24 credits, students must take the two compulsory courses: International Health Law and Global Public Health: Current and Emerging Issues.

Students must complete either an approved internship or dissertation worth 15 credits.

• The full-time internship must last for a minimum of 4 weeks, must have a dimension linked to global health legal and/or policy questions, and must be authorized in advance by the Joint LL.M. Committee. Students pursuing an internship must submit an application to the to the Global Health Law Program Director at Georgetown Law and LL.M. Programme Manager at the Graduate Institute at least one month prior to the beginning of the internship.
  
  It is expected that most students will complete this requirement at an international institution in Geneva (such as the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, or the World Trade Organization) either during the 6-week period between the end of the Fall semester at Georgetown Law and the beginning of the Spring semester at the Graduate Institute, or during the summer upon completing the Spring semester at the Graduate Institute.
  
  At the completion of the internship, students must submit a written report to the Global Health Law Program Director at Georgetown Law of no more than 5,000 words developing some of the themes and questions addressed during the internship. The report is graded and, in conjunction with completion of the internship, counts for 15 credits.
   
• Students may undertake a dissertation instead of the required internship with the prior approval of both the Director of the Joint LL.M. at the Graduate Institute and the Director of the Global Health Law Program at Georgetown Law. A dissertation entitles the student to 15 credits. 

• Application Form;
• Application Fee;
• Resume;
• Personal Statement;
• Transcripts;
• Registrar's Certification Form;
• TOEFL Score (or waiver request);
• Letters of Recommendation; and
• Conduct explanation (if applicable).
• Applicants to the National Security LL.M.,  Global Health LL.M., and Global Health & International Institutions LL.M. are expected to have some background, either professional or academic/research experience, in the relevant area.

Scholarships

Georgetown University Law Center Global Health Law Scholars

The Global Health Law Program offers up to five prestigious Global Health Law scholarships per academic year. Global Health Law Scholars, in addition to the title, will receive full or partial tuition awards. These awards may be sponsored by Georgetown Law and/or major outside organizations in law and health, and may be coupled with internship opportunities. Applicants will be selected by a committee on the basis of their (1) academic qualifications in the fields of law/ethics and public health, health policy, health economics, bioethics, or other relevant disciplines; (2) public or private sector work experience on global or domestic health law issues; and (3) demonstrated potential for excellence within the field of global health law. Students' financial needs may also be considered.

The Georgetown University program in Global Health Law and International Institutions is designed to prepare students for leadership roles at the intersection of law, global health, and international policy. This program provides a comprehensive curriculum that combines legal analysis with public health strategies, enabling students to understand the complexities of international health governance and the legal frameworks that underpin global health initiatives. Students will explore key topics such as international health regulations, human rights law as it pertains to health, policy development, and the role of international organizations including the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, often involving case studies, internships, and participation in global health law policy-making processes. Students gain skills in legal research, advocacy, and policy analysis, preparing them for careers in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and legal practice focusing on health issues. The program also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from political science, public health, and legal studies to address health disparities, disease control, and health rights on a global scale. As health challenges become increasingly interconnected and complex, graduates of this program are equipped to influence international health law reforms, contribute to policy development, and support global health security efforts. The program is ideally suited for students interested in making a meaningful impact on global health through legal and institutional frameworks, fostering collaborations across borders to address pressing health issues worldwide.