Biotechnology and Genomics, LLM
Biology, Genetics, Technology, genome
Genetics is becoming an important part of many legal practice areas, including intellectual property, family, health, constitutional, employment, criminal, corporate and agricultural law. Advancements in technology, including stem cell research, genetically modified organisms, DNA forensic evidence and nanotechnology, are raising a multitude of legal questions about privacy, intellectual property, regulation and liability.
Today's lawyers must be prepared to handle challenges like those that surround international trade, evidentiary standards, personalized medicine, licensing and business planning, to name a few.
The LLM program in biotechnology and genomics is associated with the Center for Law, Science and Innovation, the nation's largest and oldest multidisciplinary research center focusing on the legal implications of new scientific discoveries and emerging technologies. The faculty has a long history of high-quality teaching, and a vast number hold postgraduate degrees in a wide array of sciences.
Coursework and research opportunities are diverse. Through classroom instruction and guided independent study, Master of Laws candidates examine the legal issues surrounding genetic applications such as:
- cloning
- forensic evidence
- gene testing
- gene therapy
- genetically modified organisms
- stem cells and behavioral genetics
The issues relate to:
- business planning
- confidentiality
- evidentiary standards
- intellectual property
- international trade
- liability
- licensing
- privacy
- regulation
Students in the Master of Laws program in biotechnology and genomics explore and examine the law that enables and constrains the development, control and application of biotechnology and genomics.
Forensic science and ethical constraints on the various contemplated uses are also important elements of the program.
Because the legal, ethical and policy aspects of genomics and biotechnology are of global significance, this program is also beneficial for non-U.S. lawyers. Candidates for a Master of Laws degree must have received their JD or comparable terminal law degree from another country.
- College/school:
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
The program is designed to be completed in nine months on a full-time basis but also may be pursued on a part-time basis. A degree candidate must complete 24 credit hours of coursework to obtain the Master of Laws degree in biotechnology and genomics. A candidate may elect to write a graduate thesis for either three or six credit hours, or elect not to write a thesis and to fulfill the equivalent credits with other coursework. Two required courses are Genetics and the Law, and Biotechnology: Science, Law and Policy. The remaining credit hours generally are obtained from the list of elective courses. With faculty advisor approval, a candidate may satisfy up to six credit hours with courses offered by other ASU departments or by law courses that are not included on the approved elective list.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.
Admission to the program is competitive. To be admitted, an applicant must have completed a Juris Doctor degree program or a law degree program at a foreign institution that would qualify the applicant to practice law or pursue license to practice in that country, and have submitted a complete application to the program. Selection is based on:
- academic background and potential
- career experience and ambitions
- diversity of experience and background
- space and resource limitations in the law school
- strength of experience related to the program sought and other factors
For an application to be considered complete, it must include the following:
- completed Law School Admissions Council electronic application form linked on the ASU Law admissions page
- completed LLM Credential Assembly Service report: https://www.lsac.org/llm-other-law-program-applicants/application-process-llm-other-law-programs
- required application fee
- resume that does not exceed three typed pages
- personal statement that does not exceed 1,250 words (double-spaced typed pages)
- transcripts from all institutions attended, including the transcripts showing that the bachelor's degree and law degree were conferred
- two letters of recommendation
- writing sample
Additional Application Information
Transcripts and letters of recommendation or evaluations must be submitted through the Law School Admissions Council's Credential Assembly Service and will be provided to the ASU College of Law by LSAC.
Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must meet ASU Graduate College and Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law English proficiency requirements.
Graduates of the Master of Laws program in biotechnology and genomics can excel in the following legal fields:
- agricultural law and policy
- bioethics
- biomedical research ethics and law
- biotechnology policy
- biotechnology licensing and litigation
- FDA regulation
- genetics and the law
- health law, particularly public health law
- intellectual property law
- nanotechnology law and policy
- neuroscience and the law
- patent law and patent litigation
- privacy
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
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BCLS 420
llmasu@asu.edu
480-965-1474
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
