UofL LLM

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by joybaum, May 6, 2001.

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  1. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    Hi folks! I am new to this board. I am a lawyer in New Mexico with a J.D. from the University here. I am also a former merchant sailor. I want to get an LLM in maritime law. The only DL program I've found is from the University of London. Has anyone any experience with UofL? Where would I take the exams?
     
  2. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    Howdy!

    The examinations are proctored at Sylvan Learning Centers and affiliated testing sites worldwide; there are probably heaps in New Mexico, particularly in and around the larger cities (there are about ten in central Mississippi).

    The University of London, founded 1836, offers what's generally considered to be the world's oldest external program. I think the law college in charge of designing the external program is the same one where Jeremy Bentham's embalmed remains are kept (and, in keeping with his will, seated at the annual board meeting), but I wouldn't swear to it.


    Best of luck to you!


    Peace,

    ------------------
    Tom Head
    www.tomhead.net
     
  3. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    Thanks for the reply. Looking at their "Regulations" for the degree, it looks like they follow the British practice of requiring one big exam at the end of the course being the entire grade, at least for the classes in this subject. That's pretty much how law school worked; I never found the lectures very helpful. The reading was what mattered to me.
    Can't beat the UofL price, either.
    There aren't but two or three maritime law LLM programs in the U.S. There aren't even any "California Approved" programs! Fortunately for me, though, maritime law is the original international law. It's pretty much the same for the English as it is for us as it is for Japan and Kenya.
    Anyway, thanks again for the info.
    Joybaum
     
  4. David Yamada

    David Yamada New Member

    The Univ. of London strikes me as being a rather impersonal provider of distance learning, reminding me of Heriot-Watt in some ways, but I wonder if they would provide you with any info about American students who are studying for the London LL.M. and who have graduated from the program. I think that distance learning is an excellent way in which to deliver LL.M. programs, but I'd be curious to see whether the London LL.M. has proven useful to American attorneys.
     
  5. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    I understand what you mean about "impersonal". Law school in the U.S. is traditionally impersonal as well. I'm used to it.
    As to the value of the LLM: Maritime law is more international rules than domestic law. I SHOULD be able to apply the knowlege here in the U.S.
    More to the point: New Mexico is not exactly a big seafaring state...
    I would love to have on-line correspondence with anyone else studying the maritime subjects at U of L.
    Joybaum
     
  6. welshboy

    welshboy New Member

    As per Tom's comments, there are loads of centers worldwide that house the exams. The objections that have been posed by people are all ones that you've said your use to or you don't mind ('impersonal' and so on).

    You mentioned the price yourself, and i agree, it's a great one. Check www.lon.ac.uk/external for the local address of the center nearest you, and get cracking.

    If it's what you want to do, there's nothing else to wait for.

    I applied for the London LLB Law Degree, but decided to go the traditional way and attend a University, but from what I've seen of them, with correspondence and course offerings, as well as recognition and the other important elements, it's top notch (Law Particularly, as the mention of a Law degree and the great vity of London go well together and are greatly recognised throughout the world)

    Good Luck

    Cheers

    Dan [​IMG]
     
  7. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    Dan,
    Thanks for your reply. I get the impression that you are in a Commonwealth country? The reason I ask is, I thought you might bew able to explain something to me about the English degree structure.
    The LLM takes four "papers", by which they seem to mean four written examination papers.
    There doesn't appear to be any other requirement for coursework or research.
    U of L also offers something called an "M. Phil. (Law)". What is this?
    Joybaum
     
  8. jon porter

    jon porter New Member

    An MPhil is usually a research degree (mine isn't -- but the ancient Scottish universities used to do things differently: my MPhil would now be an MLitt, but I digress), generally examined by a thesis of no more than say 60,000 words. Think of it as a two-year baby PhD.

    Jon Porter (MPhil St Andrews, PhD Nottingham)

     
  9. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    Dan,
    Aha. So the LLM is a professional degree as opposed to a research degree. Sorta like the MBA, I guess?
    Well, there remains for me only one "first water" mystery. What, exactly, is meant by "First Class Honors, Second Class Honors, and Pass?" Is that like Magna cum Laude sort of thing?
    Joybaum
     
  10. joybaum

    joybaum New Member

    Jon
    Also, where'd I get the idea your name was Dan? Sorry.
    Joybaum
     

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