Proliferation of Idiotic LLM Programs:
On October 25, 2013, Jack CriTTenden’s rag, NaTTTional Juri$TTT, posted a story, under the headline “LL.M. degrees explode as law gets more specialized.” Read this opening:
“The job market is tight and law firms are looking for graduates with specialized training. Enter the LL.M., a graduate degree that was once exclusive to tax lawyers and a few select others. The degree, however, has grown in popularity in recent years, and law schools are responding with more specialized offerings.
“We’re probably seeing an increase in LL.M. programs to what’s going on in the marketplace due to the job market,” said Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, dean and professor of law at Stetson University School of Law.
There are currently more than 265 LL.M. programs in 42 practice areas for U.S. students. In addition, foreign students can earn an LL.M. in U.S. Studies, and a handful of law schools open those programs to U.S. students as well.
The total number of programs has grown rapidly during the past 10 years — there were only 110 programs in 28 practice areas in 2000.”[Emphasis mine]
The LLM degree did not “grow in popularity” due to its inherent quality or worth, which isn’t much. The fact remains that DESPERATE law grads are having a hell of a time finding any type of legal positions. Each year, many foolishly decide to throw good money after bad, in an attempt to get an advanced Humanities degree from a better, name-brand school.
As this anonymous commenter – over at OTLSS – noted on October 29, 2013, at 8:20 am:
“What I am seeing in all this is a reaction to the scamblog movement. As applications decline more and more toilets are resorting to gimmicks that they hope will draw the snowflakes and lemmings to them for a supposed leg up." Sure, Loyola is ranked higher than Kent but if you come to Kent you will graduate "practice ready" and will have multiple offers from big law because they won't have to train you!" [Emphasis mine]
Another Space Law Program Has Liftoff!:
On August 19, 2013, the NaTTTional Juri$TTT published a piece entitled “Space Law: Mississippi launches LL.M.; Nebraska adds J.S.D.” Check out the following hilarious portion:
“The University of Mississippi, which bills itself as a world leader in air and space law education, research, and public service, will offer the only LL.M. program in the U.S. that covers both air and space law.The University of Nebraska program focuses on Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law.
Like its Nebraska counterpart, the University of Mississippi program will be offered online as well as on campus. It is designed for both U.S. and foreign-trained law school graduates and is available on a part-time and full-time basis. Mississippi has been home to the National Center for Remote Sensing, Air, and Space Law since 1999 and the Journal of Space Law since 2003.” [Emphasis mine]
Yes, NASA is dying to hire people with LLMs from “powerhouses” such as 102nd ranked UniversiTTTy of Mississippi Sewer of Law - or the 61st greatest, most fantasticand amazing law school in the land, i.e. University of Nebraska Commode of Law. In reality, there is a MUCH higher likelihood that Salma Hayek is moaning my name right row – while scratching her name into my back.
More Garbage Offerings by Desperate Law School Diploma Mills:
Also on August 19, 2013, the same TTT publication featured an article labeled “Miami, Florida International and West Virginia to each launch new LL.M. in 2014.” Take a look at the excerpt below:
“West Virginia University is the eighth U.S. law school to offer an LL.M. in energy law. It’s Energy Law & Sustainable Development degree will kick off in August 2014.
“West Virginia is at the center of energy production for the country,” the school’s website states. “There is no better place to learn about the intersecting laws and policies governing all of the country’s energy resources than at WVU Law.” [Emphasis mine]
Oil companies can simply rely on experienced attorneys who deal in utilities. None of those economic heavyweights is waiting to hire some ass-hat who is earning a useless LL.M. in “Energy Law & Sustainable Development” – from West Virginia University Commode of Law, the supposed 91st“best” law school in the country. Then again, the toilet is sure to have the highest-rated LLM in this specific academic area.
Conclusion: Since the number of applications has been shrinking for the last three years, there are fewer people enrolled in law school today. The pigs are getting desperate for asses in seats. Let me ask each of you readers: Wouldn't YOU be personally embarrassed to offer such a garbage product at a ridiculous price?!?! The question obviously does not apply to "law professors" or administrators - since they are sociopaths and have no shame or integrity.