Components
To complete the Program, a student must complete thirty-six (36) credit units, distributed as follows:

Students who do not hold a LL.B or J.D degree from a Philippine law school need to take the Introduction to the Philippine Hybrid Legal System course (1 unit) in addition to the required Basic Courses.

Tracks / Specializations

LL.M students design their own course of study specializing in one of these major areas of interest:

LL.M. students design their own course of study specializing in one of these major areas of interest:

Dispute Resolution
Philippine legal education predominantly puts litigation at the center of dispute resolution in the country. However, there is a wider universe of dispute resolution options that is not getting enough spotlight yet can potentially offer more meaningful spaces to manage conflicts. The Dispute Resolution track of the LL.M. program aims to develop a modern legal practitioner that is able to adopt a more holistic, problem-solving approach to conflicts and is not limited to a strictly rights-based, adversarial method of resolving disputes. The track gives a deeper exposure to so-called “alternative” dispute resolution processes and showcases how these can, in many cases, be more appropriate when navigating conflicts.

Governance, Policy, and Development
This track is intended for lawyers in the public and development sectors, as well as those interested in such sectors. The courses offered under this track explore the critical role of law in governance and development, addressing the need for legal practitioners who are well-versed in issues related to these areas. Courses that delve into the policies that underpin social and economic development form an important part of this track. Following an interdisciplinary approach, the discussions in these courses allow students to problematize and relate theories to contemporary development issues in arriving at meaningful solutions to these problems. Upon completion of this track, students are expected to have enhanced capacities in policy and program development — both in government and in development organizations and agencies — that aim to uplift lives of people.

Intellectual Property Law
This track provides an in-depth study of intellectual property laws and current trends in the field. Students are introduced to the history, origin, purpose, and function of instruments like copyright, patents, and trademarks. Apart from learning applicable international and domestic legal frameworks, students also develop practical skills in drafting and negotiating contracts, navigating dispute and settlement procedures, developing business strategies, and facilitating brand management. As such, the practical aspect of protection, management, and enforcement of intellectual property rights is a key feature of this track.

International Corporate and Business Law
This track provides an overview of the policies, doctrines, statutory provisions, and regulations that apply to various commercial and business transactions. Apart from tackling the applicable legal frameworks, this track offers students significant opportunities to discuss the experiences of commercial and business law practitioners. Emphasis is placed on mastering the practical application of these frameworks, and students are required to draft and submit pleadings, registration documents, and others.

International Economic Law
This track covers a wide array of topics focused on the interplay of law and economics. Specialized topics on international trade, investments, and competition law are key features of this stream. Students may choose from among the cognate courses to tailor their learning to include relevant issues in a particular region (e.g. Europe, ASEAN) or area of practice (e.g. trade, competition). Upon completing this track, students are expected to have a theoretical and practical understanding of the international trading system and its attendant legal issues.

International Human Rights Law
This track focuses on human rights principles, norms, conventions, and mechanisms. The study of related laws and conventions, as applied to the human rights situation of marginalized and vulnerable sectors, is a key feature of this stream. Emerging issues in human rights will also be covered, bringing students to the cutting edge of this area of law. Employing a multidisciplinary approach and dynamic teaching methods in its various course offerings, this track equips students with the requisite practical skills and substantive knowledge to become professionals and scholars in the field of human rights.

Law and Health Governance
This track examines universal health care, its concept and coverage, and the various frameworks of health systems and governance. It studies health from a human rights perspective, and assesses how much this right is factored in, in health delivery systems and health care. The track also examines how laws and policies are coping with the advancements in health technology; and studies how health governance intersects with the social, cultural, and economic determinants of health.