Welcome to the Law School! I am so pleased that you will be joining us here in Bloomington. 

The graduate program at the law school is one of the oldest in the United States and a centerpiece of the law school’s efforts to globalize our student body. Students in the program come from all over the world, to study in a vibrant and dynamic academic community.  They graduate to go on to be leaders in academia, in government, in private practice, in corporations, and in non-governmental organizations and in not-for-profits worldwide. It’s a legacy of which we are proud, and which you will soon be part of. 

Our graduate programs bring together sophisticated lawyers and intellectual leaders from all over the world. Each year, our LLM, MCL, SJD, and PhD programs attract 60-80 outstanding students, representing more than 25 countries. Our programs expose students to U.S. legal education and American law, while expanding their critical thinking and professional skills. From conferences, to workshops, to colloquia, to dozens of speakers each semester, students have the opportunity to engage and think about some of the most pressing legal and policy issues of the day.  And through the school’s various research centers, students can tailor their degrees to specialize in some of the most important and growing areas of the law.

The program is focused too on providing you the support you need to succeed. Students in the graduate programs have access to a wide-range of student support services provided by a team of professional administrators and staff. Students in the J.D. program are also a part of this team, as Teaching Assistants (TAs) or as International Peer Group Assistants (IPGAs), who help small groups of students learn their way around the law school. Our faculty are committed to be role models, caring mentors, and superb educators. The program also hosts visiting scholars from some of the top Universities from around the world.  

But it’s not all academic. The law school is committed to helping our graduate and exchange students gain the most from their time here. Bloomington is an ideal college town, safe and inexpensive compared to major cities but possessing a vibrant multinational culture and an extensive array of restaurants, arts and entertainment facilities. Our facilities are also excellent. Recently the law library was rated number one in the United States. Of course, you will also have access to the rich resources of Indiana University as well.

I know your time at the law school will be special.  Once again, welcome and congratulations on your admission to our highly-selective program. We are excited about you joining us, and I look forward to meeting you in person soon.

With best wishes,

Austen Parrish
Dean and James H. Rudy Professor of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law