Tuition, Financial Aid, and Scholarship Information

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intercultural Human Rights

Summary of Expenses: Academic Year 2020-2021

Tuition $28,752.001
Administrative Fees $250.00
Room and Board $8,440.002
Health Insurance $1555.003
Health Services Fee $210.004
Books Fee $1,200.00

1 Based on 24 credits at $1,198.00 per credit.

2 This cost is based on availability, is the minimum amount needed to cover the costs for room and board, and includes accommodation in a double room with private bathroom. For other opportunities for living on campus, and the associated costs, please visit St. Thomas University’s Resident Life page.

3 The Health Insurance Fee will be waived if acceptable proof of insurance is submitted to the University prior to the deadline. The deadline is usually around the 1st of September. Please contact our office to confirm the date.

4 Student health service fee is required of all students (will not be waived).

* The University reserves the right to change, without notice, its tuition, fees, service charges, rules, and regulations at any time, should conditions warrant.

** ALL FEES are NON-REFUNDABLE unless otherwise noted.

Scholarship and Award Competitions

The LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University College of Law is proud to offer, in conjunction with our alumni, faculty, friends of the program, and those dedicated to human rights and social justice around the world, several scholarship and financial award opportunities available to our students. Please read below to learn more about each award opportunity.

Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner Intercultural Human Rights Essay Award

Sponsors

Alumni and friends of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights

Purpose

In honor and recognition of the distinguished lifetime work of Professor Siegfried Wiessner, founder and director of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, and his unmatched devotion to the program, to human rights, to a world order of human dignity, and to seeking to promote understanding and continuing advancement in the field of human rights, the alumni and friends of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights are pleased to establish the Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner Intercultural Human Rights Essay Award.

Amount

The Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner Intercultural Human Rights Essay Award will consist of three prizes for top-quality papers:

  • The First Prize Winner will receive an award in the amount of $3,000, and the winning essay will be considered for publication.
  • The Second Prize Winner will receive an award in the amount of $1,500.
  • The Third Prize Winner will receive an award in the amount of $500.
Requirements

Prizes will be awarded on the basis of an essay contest. Qualifying essays must address issues regarding international law and human rights, using the intellectual framework of policy-oriented jurisprudence. The essays must comprise at least 5,000 words, including footnotes.

Eligibility

All students currently enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights are eligible to apply for the award.

Procedure

Applicants will submit their essays directly to the Office of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights by January 31. Late submissions will not be accepted. The award recipients will be selected by an Award Committee based on an evaluation of the academic quality and originality of each applicant’s essay. The awards will be announced before the end of February each year.

Award Committee

The Award Committee will be comprised of a member of the program faculty, Professor Dr. iur. Roza Pati, Executive Director of the LL.M./J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, and three graduates of the program. The selection of the winning essays rests solely with the Award Committee, and cannot be appealed.

Professor Dr. Amy Ronner and Dr. Michael Pacin Therapeutic Jurisprudence Award

Sponsors

Professor Dr. Amy Ronner and Dr. Michael Pacin

Purpose

To provide financial assistance to LL.M. IHR students who show evidence of helping solve problems of society and individuals in line with principles of therapeutic jurisprudence and social justice.

Amount

The Professor Dr. Amy Ronner and Dr. Michael Pacin Therapeutic Jurisprudence Award will consist of three prizes:

  • The First Prize Winner will receive an award in the amount of $2,500.
  • Two Second Prize Winners will receive awards in the amount of $1,250.
Requirements

Prizes will be awarded on the basis of an essay contest. Qualifying essays must show an understanding of the therapeutic jurisprudence and address issues evidencing students’ contribution and service before and/or after their enrollment in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights. Applicants are encouraged to submit any supporting materials they might have, such as recognition and /or appreciation certificates, letters of appreciation, etc.

Eligibility

All full-time students currently enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights are eligible to apply for the award.

Procedure

Applicants will submit their essays by email to the Office of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights by a certain date that will be publicized during each academic year. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Award Committee

The Award Committee will be comprised of the donors of the award, Professor Dr. Amy Ronner and Dr. Michael Pacin, as well as the directors of the LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner and Professor Dr. Roza Pati. The selection of the winning essays rests solely with the Award Committee, and cannot be appealed.

Professors Dr. John & June Mary Makdisi Human Rights Scholarship

The John & June Mary Makdisi Human Rights Scholarship is established by Professor Dr. John Makdisi and Professor June Mary Makdisi to help students presently enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights and experiencing financial difficulties. This scholarship consists of $2,500, and it aims to support one or more meritorious students in financial need who are interested in giving back to society. The scholarship is distributed by the directors of the LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner and Professor Dr. Roza Pati.

Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Scholarship

Sponsors

This educational scholarship is established in memory of Arya Laghaie by his family and friends, as well as alumni and faculty of St. Thomas University College of Law.

Purpose

An alumnus of the Master of Laws Program in Intercultural Human Rights and participant in the Susan J. Ferrell Moot Court Competition, Arya Laghaie was a young man who tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run accident near Gallup, New Mexico, where he was volunteering to assist indigenous peoples. The purpose of this scholarship is to carry on Arya’s work in providing services to indigenous communities and his aspirations for indigenous peoples’ rights. It is awarded annually to two or three graduate students, currently enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University College of Law, who demonstrate outstanding knowledge of, and commitment to, the cause of indigenous peoples’ rights, or who have already provided substantial support to indigenous communities.

Amount

The Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Scholarship is an annual scholarship of $1,500.00. This amount may be awarded to one (or split equally among two) student(s) at the sponsor’s discretion. The award amount will be credited directly to St. Thomas University student account of the winner(s). Those winners who have already paid their dues will receive payment from the University’s business office.

Type of Scholarship

The Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Scholarship will be awarded annually on the basis of a competitive essay, as described below, or proof of service to indigenous communities. Deadlines for filing will be established by the St. Thomas University College of Law LL.M. IHR Program.

Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee will consist of four members: Mr. Robert Laghaie, Dr. Roya Laghaie, and the directors of the LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner and Professor Dr. Roza Pati. The committee shall select the students on the basis of whose essay application will be the most worthy of receiving the scholarship. Decisions of the committee cannot be appealed.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Be a full-time student currently enrolled in the Intercultural Human Rights LL.M. Program at St. Thomas University College of Law;
  2. Be in good academic standing at the time of application for the Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Scholarship;
  3. Complete a formal application for the Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Scholarship, which includes (i) the applicant’s resume (ii) a statement evidencing the applicant’s past service to indigenous communities or (iii) an essay of no more than 2000 words on general or specific aspect of law or policy regarding the rights of indigenous peoples.

The Tamara L. Crouch Memorial Scholarship

Sponsors

Prof. Dr. Mark Kielsgard is a distinguished graduate of the LL.M. and the J.S.D. Programs in Intercultural Human Rights, and law professor at City University of Hong Kong School of Law.

Purpose

This scholarship is awarded in loving memory of Tamara L. Crouch, a former criminal lawyer, a defender of human rights and a great friend of the LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights. It was her wish to facilitate the education, training, and scholarship of human rights advocates, activists, educators, and students in the LL.M. program.

Amount

The Tamara L. Crouch Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship to assist a student enrolled in the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights with the cost of tuition, fees, and, if necessary, housing expenses.

Requirements

The scholarship shall be awarded based upon the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to the struggle for an international order of human dignity. This commitment shall be determined based upon the applicant’s efforts prior to attending the LL.M. program, as well as his or her plans after graduation. Secondly, the scholarship shall be need-based, with special consideration given to students from developing nations, in recognition of the particular hardships they bear in attending the LL.M. program. Finally, consideration will be given to academic scholarship, as determined by the selection committee, based upon the applicant’s performance in the LL.M. program. The applicants will have to write an essay reflecting these requirements, and must also attach a current C.V.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time students currently enrolled in the St. Thomas University College of Law LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights.

Procedure

Students will submit their applications to the administrative assistant of the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, according to the requirements listed above and by a designated deadline. No late applications will be accepted. The scholarship will be awarded prior to the end of the first semester.

Award Committee

The selection committee shall be comprised of Professor Dr. Siegfried Wiessner, Professor Dr. Roza Pati and Dr. Mark D. Kielsgard.

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