find your perfect LLM program
Search our Database of over 2500 Courses

LLM (Master of Laws) in Religious Law

Religious Law is one of the greatest ways of getting in touch with and understanding fellow human beings wherever they are, whatever the religion they ascribe to. Earning an LLM in Religious Law does great justice in regard to understanding the delicate balance between the law of the land and religious law governing the deepest crevices of human soul and thinking.

Find LLM programs in Religious Law

Number Crunching The LLM In Religious Law

Religious Law8+ LLM programs in Religious Law in the USA

6 main world religions – these are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism

4,000+ recognized religions in the world

LLM in Religious Law – Who's It For?

A large part of the world’s population ascribe to one religion or the other. However, there has been a fair share of controversies surrounding religious beliefs. Since every religion has its own laws, there should always be a consensus on not only what is morally right or wrong according to the world’s religions but also a balance between religious beliefs and the general law should be achieved.

Keep in mind that Religious Law is one of the most exciting areas in the study of law. While the number of lawyers specialising in the field is limited, there are many opportunities for anyone interested in charting a new career path in law. While a bachelors of law degree is important, what you need most is the determination to open the doors to a brand new world in law practice.

Where Can You Study an LLM in Religious Law?

LLM programs in Religious Law are a pretty new venture, nonetheless, more and more people are realising the need of embracing it as one the best areas of law practice.

In the United States, Emory University offers a Law and Religion Program, and in the UK Cardiff University Law School offers a course in Canon Law, which is a study in the canon law of the churches of the Worldwide Anglican Communion with specific interest in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. International Islamic University Islamabad in Pakistan offers an LLM in Muslim Family Law while University of Vienna in Austria has Canon Law for Lawyers.

What Qualifications Do You Need To Study An LLM In Religious Law?

In most cases, students interested in pursuing an LLM in Religious Law are required to hold a bachelor degree in law of a grade 2.1 – although some universities will consider a grade 2.2 with other supporting qualifications, skills, or work experience. Since you’ll have to be actively involved in analysis, discussions and comparisons, ability to study independently is important. In addition, you may have to score above 7 in IELTS or equivalent or above 107 in TOEFL if you are not a native English speaker. However, most institutions will readily provide useful information and guidance on the English language requirements for international students.

Student Case Study

A large number of students who have studied for an LLM in Religious Law now work in different capacities in various organisations. For example, Caroline Branch, a former student at Emory University is now an Assistant Rector at St Bede’s Episcopal Church. Before ordination as a priest, she worked with King & Spalding as an attorney. Speaking about law and religion, she explains,  “I couldn’t take just one of them. I didn’t want to value my success on only one side. I belong to the two worlds.”

An LLM in Religious Law Advances Careers in...

Dispute resolution

Human rights

Corporate management

Social work

Charity sector

5 Fascinating Facts About Religion

1. The game Dungeons and Dragons was criticised by a large number of Christians for appearing to give reverence to Satanism and murder, however it was in fact created by a devout Christian.

2. The names of the Roman religion’s God (Jupiter), the Greek religion’s God (Zeus Pater) and the Indian Vedic religion’s God (Dyaus Pita) are similar because they share a common origin according to a study on the religion of Proto-Indo-Europeans.

3. In her attempt to sue gay people, a Nebraskan woman who had no legal back up, quoted the Bible and Webster’s Dictionary saying she was God’s ambassador as well as that of His son Jesus Christ, and that it was a sin to be a homosexual.

4. An aeronautics engineer, David Barrett compiled a list of 10,000 religions as well as 33,830 Christianity denominations and visited 238 countries after seeing Jesus’ vision.

5. Christians in India mistakenly drank sewerage water from a clogged toilet since it dripped from the toes of a statue of Jesus.

Recommended Reading

Law and Religion by Russell Sandberg

The Agnostic Age: Law, Religion, and the Constitution by Paul Horwitz

Find LLM programs in RELIGIOUS LAW

Related Articles

Global LLM Study Bursaries

Choosing Your LLM (Master of Laws) Program

A-Z Law School Search