Programs and admission requirements
LL.M. Programs
The School of Law runs five LL.M. Programs. These are LL.M. in Business Law, LL.M. in Constitutional and Public Law, LL.M. in Human Rights Law, LL.M. in International Law, and LL.M. in Urban Property and Land Law.
LL.M. Admission Requirements
A candidate who applies to join any of the LL.M. programs must have LL.B. degree from a recognized university, fulfill the general admission requirements for Graduate Studies of the Addis Ababa University and pass the graduate entrance examination of the School.
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Law
Program Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for highly trained specialist lawyers who have undergone specialized training in business law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for business law experts who can understand and implement the policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and engage in research and teaching at higher education institutions.
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge in business law able to analyze and formulate legal policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:
- foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
- engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
- ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
- help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
- undertake high level research and legal practice and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions.
Modules
Semester I
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | Laws-614 | Research Methods (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | BLS-611 | Theories and Principles of Economic Law (M) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | BLS-614 | Comparative Commercial Law (M) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | Elective Modules (E) | 9-14 | 234-378 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester II
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours | |
| 1 | BLS-613 | Company Law and Finance (M) | 7 | 189 | |
| 2 | Elective Modules (E) | 23-28 | 621-756 | ||
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 | |||
Semester III
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | MTL-777 | LLM Thesis (M) | 30 | 810 |
List of Elective Modules
| No | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | BLS-617 | Advanced Intellectual Property Law (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | BLS-620 | Banking and Insurance Law and Regulation (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | BLS-621 | Commercial Dispute Resolution (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | BLS-623 | Competition Law and Consumer Protection (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 5 | BLS-629 | E-Commerce Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 6 | BLS-619 | Financial Market Development and Regulation (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 7 | BLS-616 | International Business Transactions (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 8 | BLS-612 | International Business and Labour Rights(E) | 5 | 135 |
| 9 | BLS-615 | Advanced International Economic Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 10 | BLS-625 | Land Law and Policy (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 11 | BLS-622 | Law of Finance and Foreign Investment (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 12 | BLS-624 | Law of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 13 | BLS-627 | Natural Resources and Energy Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 14 | BLS-628 | Taxation of Business (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 15 | BLS-626 | Transport Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Constitutional and Public Law
Program objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for lawyers and law teachers who have undergone specialized training in constitutional and public law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for constitutional and public lawyers, who can understand and implement the new policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and research and teach at higher education institutions.
Graduate Profile
The program aims at producing trained specialist lawyers in constitutional and public law who can:
- foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
- engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
- ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
- help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
- undertake high level research, legal service, and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions
Modules
Semester I
| No. | Module No. | Module Titles | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | Laws-614 | Research Methods (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | CPL-631 | Constitutional and Political Theory (C) | 5 | 135 |
| 3 | CPL- 633 | Comparative Constitutional Law(C) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | Elective Modules (E) | 11-16 | 297-432 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester II
| No. | Module No. | Module Titles | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | CPL-635 | State Constitutions and Local Government (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | CPL-637 | Ethiopian Human Rights System (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | Elective Modules (E) | 16-21 | 432-567 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester III
| No | Module No. | Module Titles | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | MTL-777 | LLM Thesis (C) | 30 | 810 |
List of Elective Modules
| No | Module No. | Module Titles | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | CPL-733 | Advanced Administrative Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 2 | CPL-636 | Advanced Criminal Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 3 | CPL-644 | Advanced Criminology (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 4 | CPL-642 | Comparative Federalism (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 5 | CPL-641 | Constitutional Litigation (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 6 | CPL-731 | Criminal Justice System (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 7 | CPL-632 | Ethiopian Constitutional Development (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 8 | CPL-732 | Fiscal Policy and Federalism (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 9 | CPL-638 | International Human Rights Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 10 | CPL-634 | Law and Development (E) | 5 | 135 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights
Program Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national and individual demand for highly trained specialist human rights lawyers. The program aims at satisfying the demand for human rights law experts who are able to contribute towards the realization of human rights through formulation and implementation of policies, interpretation and execution of laws, provision of consultancy services, and through education and research.
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills in human rights law able to analyze and formulate policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:
- design and implement legislative, administrative and other measures necessary for the realization of human rights; enhance the promotion and protection of human rights at national and international levels; and
- undertake high level research and conduct teaching at higher education institutions and provide consultancy services.
Modules
Semester I
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | Laws-614 | Research Methods (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | HRL-651 | Philosophy and Politics of Human Rights (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | HRL-663 | United Nations Human Rights System (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | Elective Modules (E) | 9-14 | 243-378 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester II
| No | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | HRL-654 | African Human Rights System (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | HRL-653 | Ethiopian Human Rights System (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | HRL-664 | Human Rights and Development (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | Elective Modules (E) | 9-14 | 243-378 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester III
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | MTL-777 | LLM Thesis (C) | 30 | 810 |
List of Elective Modules
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | HRL-655 | International Humanitarian Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 2 | HRL-664 | Regional Human Rights Systems (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 3 | HRL-660 | Refugees and IDPs (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 4 | PIL-752 | International Criminal Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 5 | HRL-657 | Rights of Children (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 6 | HRL-658 | Rights of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 7 | HRL-659 | Socio-Economic Rights (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 8 | HRL-661 | Rights of Persons with Disabilities (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 9 | HRL-662 | Human Rights and Gender (E) | 5 | 135 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Public International Law
Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for highly trained specialist lawyers who have undergone specialized training in public international law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for international law experts who can understand and implement the new policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and engage in research and teaching at higher education institutions.
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge in international law able to analyze and formulate legal policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:
- foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
- engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
- ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
- help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
- undertake high level research, legal practice and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions in public international law.
Modules
Semester I
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | Laws-614 | Research Methods (C) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | PIL-774 | Theories of International Relations (M) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | PIL-685 | Law of Treaties (M) | 5 | 135 |
| 4 | Elective Modules (E) | 11-16 | 297-432 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester II
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | PIL-672 | Law of International Organizations (M) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | PIL-682 | Settlement of International Disputes (M) | 7 | 189 |
| 3 | Elective Modules (E) | 16-21 | 432-567 | |
| Total | 30-35 | 810-945 |
Semester III
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | MTL-777 | LLM Thesis (M) | 30 | 810 |
List of Elective Modules
| No. | Module No. | Module Title | ECTS | Total Hours |
| 1 | PIL-772 | African Union Law (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 2 | PIL-752 | International Criminal Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 3 | PIL-622 | International Economic Law (E) | 7 | 189 |
| 4 | PIL-673 | International Environmental Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 5 | HRL-652 | International Human Rights Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
| 6 | PIL-681 | International Water Law (E) | 5 | 135 |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Urban Property and Land Law
Program Objectives
The program aims at enabling students:
- To provide learning opportunities so that students can equip graduates with the knowledge and understanding, skill and competence to undertake advanced research in law in general and in the Urban Property and Land Law in particular.
- To contribute to the University`s objectives of graduate studies expansion by providing high quality education and increase their employability in the urban governance sector of the country.
- To produce graduates who are capable of undertaking research and consultancy tasks on urban law areas, as per the needs of the MUDHC of Ethiopia.
- To provide a qualification that fully meets the learning outcomes intended.
- To provide an LLM that develops the students’ skills to understand and analyze law, governance and policy, particularly in the urban administration contexts.
Graduate profile
Upon successful completion of all the requirements of the LLM in UPLL, the graduates will have expertise in urban property and law issues that would be encountered in the process of advising their clients, skills in drafting legal documents and teaching urban property and land law. More specifically, the graduates will have competence in the following areas:
- draft property and land related contracts, prepare legal guidelines or manual for the personnel working in land administration office;
- advise, consult and negotiate on property expropriation and land lease matters, including property valuations;
- serve as head property registration and certification office or legal advisors to such office;
- Undertake urban land use policy and law research or make analysis of the law and policy whenever necessary;
- serve as an expert in urban land dispute settlement cases (in judicial, administrative, and alternative dispute resolution processes);
- be conversant with the existing urban land use problems and practices, to fight corrupt practices by enforcing the laws and regulations to that effect;
- advise clients on urban environmental law issues;
- consult and advise on taxation law of urban property; and
- serve as a legal advisor to city governments and other government agencies or private entities on urban land and property issues.
Modules
First Year – Semester I
- UPL-611 Advanced Law of Contracts (7 ECTS)
- UPL-621 Advanced Property Law (7 ECTS)
- (Common) Research Methods (7 ECTS)
- UPL-631 Ethiopian Land Law and Policy (3.5 ECTS)
- UPL-612 Laws and Policies of Municipal Governance (7 ECTS)
First year – Semester II
- UPL-622 Urban Land Dispute Settlement (7 ECTS)
- UPL-632 Urban Environmental Law (7 ECST)
- UPL-642 Comparative Urban Land Use and Lease Law (7 ECTS)
- UPL-652 Urban Property Tax Laws (5 ECTS)
- UPL-662 Law of Urban Property and Land Registration (5 ECTS)
Second Year
- UPL-777 Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
PhD Program in Law
Program Objectives
The objective of the curriculum is to produce graduate level teachers, researchers and high level policy analysts in the field of law armed with theoretical and methodological knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Graduate Profile
Students who have successfully completed course work and dissertation are expected to:
- demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relevant field of law;
- competently discharge graduate teaching responsibilities;
- design and undertake legal research independently and produce research reports of publishable quality; and
- critically analyze principles, theories, practices and main discourses in the discipline of law and related fields; and
- be able to serve as policy analysts for governmental, non-governmental and international organizations.
Admission requirements
To be admitted to the PhD Program in Law, an applicant must:
- have an LL.B and LL.M or LL.B and MA in interdisciplinary legal Studies;
- have an undergraduate or graduate thesis or submit a peer reviewed or edited publication;
- pass interview to be conducted by an admission committee;
- pass an entrance examination set by the Graduate Commission (GC) of the Law School;
- Submit at least two reference letters from his/her previous teacher or research supervisor or thesis examiner;
- File a concept note that highlights a potential research area and
- Produce a motivation letter.
Modules
Year I Semester I
| No. | Course Name | Module code | Credit hours | ECTS |
| 1. | Advanced Research Methodology | PhDL-701 | 3 | 7 |
| Sociology of Law | PhDL-711 | 3 | 7 | |
| Law and Economics | PhDL-721 | 3 | 7 | |
| Total: 9 Total: 21 | ||||
Year I Semester II
| No. | Course Name | Module code | Credit hours | ECTS |
| 1. | Law and Globalization | PhDL-732 | 3 | 7 |
| Theories, Processes and Structures of Constitutional Governance | PhDL-742 | 3 | 7 | |
| Economic Regulation | PhDL-752 | 3 | 7 | |
| Total: 9 Total: 21 | ||||
Year II Semester I to Year IV Semester II
| No. | Course Name | Module code | Credit hours | ECTS |
| 1. | Selected Books Seminar | PhDL-761 | Pass/Fail | Pass/Fail |
| 2. | Administration of Justice in Ethiopia | PhDL-771 | Pass/Fail | Pass/Fail |
| PhD Dissertation | PhDL-781 |