Two Degrees of Collaboration

This year, New York University School of Law announced an exciting new dual-degree program in conjunction with the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law (NUS). The international curriculum will be offered in Singapore, and the schools will welcome their first joint class of 75 to 100 students in May. Simon Chesterman, until recently the director of NYU School of Law’s Institute for International Law and Justice, will be the resident faculty director of the groundbreaking program.

Designed to attract students from all over the world, not just Asia, the program will combine the rigorous academic education for which NYU is known with a program that embraces what NYU President John Sexton calls the idea of “global connectedness and promise.”

“For NYU School of Law this is a natural step,” said Dean Richard Revesz. “Over a decade ago, we recognized that important changes in the way law was being practiced required changes in the way it was taught. This led to the creation of our highly successful Hauser Global Law School Program. Our partnership with NUS takes that insight to the next level.”

Students will earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in law and the global economy from NYU, with optional concentrations in either U.S. and Asian business and trade law, or justice and human rights. An expanded curriculum will allow them also to earn an LL.M. from NUS. Courses will be taught by NYU law faculty in residence at NUS as well as by NYU global faculty and members of the NUS faculty.

In addition to their classes, students will have the opportunity to complete internships with Singapore law firms, corporations, government entities or NGOs in the region. They may also follow courses in Shanghai through a joint program of NUS and East China University of Politics and Law.

“We expect the new program to attract two broad categories of applicants,” said Chair and Faculty Director of NYU’s Hauser Global Law School Program Professor Joseph Weiler. “The first is Asian students who hope to acquire proficiency in American law and benefit from the distinct methodology and style of American legal education, while also developing a comparative understanding of Asian law. The second is students from the rest of the world who recognize the importance of Asia and want to combine the rigor of an American law degree whilst simultaneously acquiring proficiency in Asian law and institutions.”

“This relationship brings together the top international law faculty in the United States and Asia’s Global Law School,” said Chesterman. “It’s tremendously exciting, not only for the students, but also for the two faculties.” NUS Faculty of Law Dean Tan Cheng Han agreed, saying, “We welcome the NYU School of Law to Singapore.”