Air and Space Law (LLM)

Description

The University of Mississippi School of Law is a world leader in air and space law education, research, and public service.

This LL.M. degree program is designed for both U.S. and foreign-trained law school graduates interested in a rigorous legal curriculum in U.S., international, and comparative air and space law. It is the first and only LL.M. program in the U.S. offering a combined air and space law postgraduate law degree at an ABA accredited law school.

LL.M. Program Advantages

Unique emphasis in U.S. air and space law. Extensive air law expertise and over 45 years in space law. On-campus or online, full-time or part-time. Participate, if qualified, in the Journal of Space Law. Comprehensive air and space law collection. Access to University of Mississippi Space Law Archives. American Bar Association accredited law school.

Minimum Total Credit Hours: 26

Nonthesis Track:

The nonthesis track is intended for students who seek to gain a broader
knowledge base and greater access to the wide range of courses taught within the
air and space law curriculum. Nonthesis track students are required to research
and draft a publication-worthy work.
A student may be awarded an LL.M. in the nonthesis track by earning 26 credits
and satisfying the following requirements:
1. Successful completion of two core courses (6 credit hours) and five
elective courses (15 credit hours);
2. Successful completion of 5 independent study credits supporting a
research project; and
3. Successful completion of a research project constituting a publishable
work of approximately 12,000 words in length.

Core Courses
• One air law course AND
• One space law course

Elective Courses (students select five)
• Aviation Business and Law (air law)
• Astra Politica (space law)
• Comparative National Space Law (space law)
•. Aviation Finance and Leasing Law (air law)
• Cyber Law and Cybersecurity
• Drone Law and Policy (air law)
• Export Controls
• International Space Law (space law)
• Public International Air Law (air law)
• Private International Air Law (air law)
• Problem Solving in Space Law (space law)
• Procurement Law
• Remote Sensing Law (space law)
• Space Security Law (space law)
• Telecommunications Law
• U.S. National Aviation Law (air law)
• U.S. Domestic Space Law (space law)

Independent Research Credits
In addition to course credits, students will earn 5 Independent Research credits
for research conducted toward completion of their research projects. A research
project is a paper of approximately 12,000-15,000 words (inclusive of abstract,
table of contents, notes, and bibliography) that constitutes a substantial piece
of critical writing, of publishable length and quality, which elucidates
particular ideas or problems with air and space law. The research project should
be clearly written and incorporate relevant and significant sources.
Independent Research Class Requirements –
• MTI – 1 credit
• MTII – 1 credit
• MTIII – 3 credits

Thesis Track

The thesis track is intended for scholars who seek to make a substantial
contribution to scholarly literature on air or space law. Students can build
upon a successfully completed thesis for doctoral research.
A student may be awarded an LL.M. by earning 26 credits and satisfying the
following requirements:
1. Successful completion of two core courses (6 credit hours) and four
elective courses (12 credit hours);
2. Successful completion of 8 master’s thesis credits supporting a master’s
thesis; and
3. Successful completion of a master’s thesis constituting a publishable
work of 25,000 words in length.

Core Courses
• One air law course AND
• One space law course

Elective Courses (students select four)
• Aviation Business and Law (air law)
• Astra Politica (space law)
• Comparative National Space Law (space law)
• Aviation Finance and Leasing Law (air law)
• Cyber Law and Cybersecurity
• Drone Law and Policy (air law)
• Export Controls
• International Space Law (space law)
• Public International Air Law (air law)
• Private International Air Law (air law)
• Problem Solving in Space Law (space law)
• Procurement Law
• Remote Sensing Law (space law)
• Space Security Law (space law)
• Telecommunications Law
• U.S. National Aviation Law (air law)
• U.S. Domestic Space Law (space law)

Master's Thesis Credits
In addition to course credits, students will earn 8 master's thesis credits for
independent research conducted on their thesis topics. A master's thesis is a
project of approximately 25,000–30,000 words (inclusive of abstract, table of
contents, notes, and bibliography) that constitutes a substantial analytical
contribution to an ongoing academic discussion or to developing novel concepts
and practices. The thesis must demonstrate substantial knowledge, intellectual
curiosity, critical argument, and scholarly ambition. The theoretical and
methodological approaches incorporated into the research and writing should be
clearly understood and articulated.
Master’s Thesis Class Requirements –
• MTI – 1 credit
• MTII – 1 credit
• MTIII – 6 credits