2025–2026 Bulletin Addendum LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law

The LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law provides fundamental and advanced training in intellectual property law at one of America’s premier law schools for intellectual property studies. The emphasis of the program is on the core doctrines of copyright, patent, trademark, and unfair competition, with expansive electives in such areas as digital technology and electronic networks, biotechnology, entertainment law, and technology commercialization.

The program faculty includes the School of Law’s full-time professors and experienced practitioners from Boston’s boutique firms and technology companies, who bring practical experience to the classroom.

Learning Outcomes

Internationally trained students shall demonstrate:

• A basic understanding of the US legal system.
• Knowledge and understanding of the core doctrines of intellectual property and information law.
• An ability to use legal authority and perform legal analysis.
• Proficiency in legal English, in both written and oral communications.

Domestically trained students shall demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of the core doctrines of intellectual property law.

Degree Requirements

The LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law program is designed to be completed in one academic year of full-time study and follows the school’s JD calendar, with classes beginning in late August and ending in May, or beginning in January and ending in December for students who start in the spring term. The LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law program, a 24-unit program, is only offered on a full-time residential basis. One can anticipate to complete the program in two terms.

To earn the LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law, students must:

• Complete a minimum of 24 unit hours—with at least 10 units a term.
• Obtain a final weighted average of at least 2.30 (C+).
• Take three of the following core courses—Copyright, US Practice of Copyright and Trademark for LLMs, Cybersecurity Law, Information Privacy Law, Information Privacy Law for LLMs, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property for LLMs, Intellectual Property for the Generalist, Patent Law, Trademark and Unfair Competition, Law and Technology, AI & IP: Where Law Meets Technology – A Simulated Exploration of AI, IP Rights and Commerce in the Global Cloud, IP Licensing in the Global Marketplace for LLMs, and IP Workshop. (The director may waive the core course requirement for students who have sufficiently completed essentially similar work at another law school.)
• Complete at least 5 units from additional core courses or specified elective courses.
• Participate in the LLM Professional Skills Lab. The Professional Skills Lab is an interactive
  workshop that focuses on core professional competencies, practical skills, long-term
  career management, and professional identity tools. The  director may authorize an alternative means to satisfy the requirement should a student be excused from attending due to compelling personal circumstances.

Domestically Trained Students

Domestically trained students must complete their 24 units in intellectual property and related classes.

Internationally Trained Students

Unless waived by the director, candidates with foreign law degrees must take Introduction to American Law (2 units) and a legal research and writing seminar (2 units). Internationally trained students must complete their remaining 20 units from intellectual property and related classes.