Become an innovator and leader in human rights practice and/or academia with the help of the Human Rights LL.M. Fellowship.
The Human Rights LL.M. Fellowship is jointly managed by Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute (the focal point of human rights work, education, critical reflection, and scholarship at the Law School) and the Office of Graduate Degree Programs (which manages the Law School’s LL.M., Executive LL.M., and J.S.D. Programs). Fellowships offer partial to full waivers of tuition.
Benefits include:
- Receive tailored career mentoring and skill development in both practice and academic scholarship from Human Rights Institute faculty, staff, and advisers.
- Attend special events with leading human rights advocates and scholars.
- Participate in the Human Rights Institute’s cutting-edge research projects.
- Receive special consideration for admission to Columbia’s Human Rights Clinic—an innovative course that teaches students to be strategic and creative human rights advocates while pursuing social justice and advancing human rights methodologies and scholarship.
Fellows are expected to devote a significant part of their studies to human rights and play an active role in the Law School’s vibrant human rights community.
Eligibility Requirements
Fellowship awardees must first be admitted to the LL.M. Program at Columbia Law School. For more information, visit the LL.M. Application Process and Frequently Asked Questions pages.
Applicants must demonstrate experience in international human rights work and a commitment to a career in academia and/or human rights practice.
How to Apply
Submit a completed application for admission to the LL.M. program, which requires you to include your résumé/CV, and transcripts and letters of recommendation through LSAC.
In the application for admission, you must indicate you wish to be considered for Financial Aid and complete the Merit Aid Statement. We ask that you include specific reasons as to why you are qualified for the Human Rights LL.M. Fellowship.
We also ask that your letters of recommendation speak to your prior work and future potential as a human rights advocate, scholar, and/or practitioner, professor or human rights practitioner.
Office of Graduate Degree Programs
All LL.M., Executive LL.M., and J.S.D. students receive individualized support from the Office of Graduate Degree Programs (OGP) throughout their Law School experience—from application to degree conferral. The office also maintains close contact with our broad network of alumni.
