Admission to the graduate programs
The application for admission to Pierce Law's graduate programs covers the following degrees:
- Diploma in Intellectual Property (DIP)
- Master of Intellectual Property (MIP)
- Master of Laws in Intellectual Property (LLM-IP)
- Master of Commerce & Technology (MCT)
- Master of Laws in Commerce & Technology (LLM-CT)
- Master of International Criminal Law and Justice (MICLJ)
- Master of Laws in International Criminal Law and Justice (LLM-ICLJ)
Franklin Pierce Law Center has long been a leader in graduate-level education, offering a diploma program (DIP) and two Master's degree programs (MIP and LLM-IP) devoted to the study of patents, copyrights and trademarks designed to develop intellectual property professionals skilled in the promotion and protection of valuable intellectual property assets. It also offers two Master's degrees in the developing field of e-Law and other legal issues arising from rapidly changing technology (MCT and LLM-CT).
Please note that in order to qualify to become a patent agent in the United States, DIP, MIP, MCT and LLM candidates also must have a degree in engineering, natural science or technology or equivalent practical experience. More information on eligibility requirements for the Patent Agent Examination is available from the Office of Enrollment and Discipline, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Box OED, Washington, DC 20231.
Pierce Law's newest Master's degree program in International Criminal Law and Justice allows students to design their programs to match their interests and expertise, combining elements of the Center's strong intellectual property, criminal justice, commerce and technology, and public interest concentrations. Two degrees are offered: MICLJ and LLM-ICLJ.
Overall, well-prepared applications make a person's qualifications stand out. We value maturity, initiative and risk-taking. The Admissions Committee looks at each applicant as a whole person and spends a great deal of time reviewing every application, especially the personal statement. Applicants to the LLM-degree program must have already received the LLB, JD or equivalent basic law degree prior to enrollment. Applicants to the DIP, MIP, MCT and MICLJ programs should have a university level baccalaureate degree.
Application Process
There is no deadline for application to the Master's programs; however, to be considered for tuition assistance, the request must be noted on the application and all materials must be in by April 1 for the fall term and September 1 for the spring term. In any case, early application is advised because Pierce Law accepts students on a rolling basis. Further, if you are an international applicant, you will want to give yourself plenty of time to acquire a student visa upon acceptance. Please check with your U.S. Embassy to determine how long this process may take.
Continue to the application checklist.
