Master of Laws in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies (1 Year)

The Master of Laws in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies degree was established in 1992 to address the need for legal experts trained in an interdisciplinary approach to constitutional design in a politically, economically and culturally globalized world.  

The core curriculum of this one-year LL.M. centers on fundamental issues in comparative government and constitutional rights protection, such as comparative government, constitutional design and fundamental protection, in leading, emerging and backsliding democracies around the world. You will examine the root of constitutional problems during the transition to democracy through theoretical and practical explorations of past and present real-life case studies. Students scrutinize the legal traditions of both civil law (continental) and common law systems and dive into the growing body of research on the process and context of constitution-making, an exciting new field of academic studies¹. 

The Master of Laws in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies at CEU is regularly updated to reflect our commitment to the broader international context inwhich contemporary constitutional systems operate. The most recent revision includes chances and limitations of resistant and resilient constitutional design to prevent democratic backsliding. 

For the duration of your studies, you will be based in Vienna, which was named the world's most livable city for the third consecutive year in the Global Liveability Ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).  

This Master of Laws in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies program is designed for students with a background in law who intend to focus on the development and operation of constitutional government in its broader political, social, cultural, regional and global context. 

Over the years, the program has attracted students from all over the world who are focused on developing strong international competencies in preparation for their careers in the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights and human rights in major jurisdictions. Graduates of the one-year LL.M. in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies program have become high-ranking civil servants, successful NGO and intergovernmental organization (IGO) professionals and academics actively addressing complex constitutional problems through comparative and interdisciplinary analysis. 

You will participate in highly interactive classes that enable every student to hone their critical analysis, negotiation and argumentation skills during debates on contemporary constitutional developments around the world. Students will apply their knowledge and experience in an independent research project in the form of a final thesis or a capstone project that addresses constitutional problems in different constitutional regimes across a changing constitutional and political landscape. 

After graduating with an LL.M. in Global Comparative Constitutional Studies, you will be well-equipped to provide viable solutions to constitutional problems as an individual researcher and member of an international team. You will draw on the comprehensive knowledge of the history of constitution-making and constitutional law in major jurisdictions across Europe, Africa and North and Latin America and critically examine challenges to constitutional and fundamental rights problems. As a graduate of CEU, you will be able to apply advanced analytical skills and an interdisciplinary approach to your professional or academic work to offer practice-oriented and policy-relevant responses. 

Thanks to your presentation and communication skills, as well as experience in approaching culturally sensitive topics, you will be comfortable working and collaborating in fast-paced, multicultural environments. 

1. Dual degree: Earn both an American and Austrian degree and expand your doctoral training prospects internationally. 
2. Global perspective on current challenges: Study with internationally renowned faculty members who bring innovative research and industry experience into the classroom. 
3. Focus on interdisciplinarity: Hone your analytical abilities to assess complex situations, evaluate different perspectives and formulate well-informed solutions to contemporary rule of law challenges.  
4. Build practical skills: The program emphasizes practical training, including research, writing, negotiation and communication skills in international settings to help you convey your arguments and recommendations to audiences of any size and background.  
5. Study in Vienna: For the duration of the program, you will be based in Vienna, which was named the world's most livable city for the third consecutive year in the Global Liveability Ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).