Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. is offering LAWA fellowship programme for applicants from any African country. Fellowship is available for pursuing the master degree programme.
The LAWA Program helps defray the costs for candidates who would not otherwise be able to afford an LL.M. degree focusing on international women’s human rights and additional professional development training.
The goals of the U.S. and LAWA Fellowships are multifaceted to advance the rights and well-being of women and their families through legal advocacy, research, outreach and education; to allow public interest organizations to benefit from skilled legal assistance.
Applicants must have strong English language skills both written and oral. Language problems have been the primary barrier to success for LAWA Fellows.
Georgetown University Information
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium-sized city of Washington (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), District of Columbia. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Georgetown University (GU) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Georgetown University (GU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 230 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 10-20% making this US higher education organization a most selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for scholarship:
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Candidates who are awarded an LAWA Fellowship must be prepared to cover the costs of all additional expenses (such as visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, books, fees, etc.). Candidates must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes that they have the full amount of funds available to cover these expenses at the time of their visa application. This totals over U.S. $25,845. For the summer internship portion, students need to show $2,232 per month, for the 2 to 3 month internship period. These costs are significantly less if you can affirm that you are staying with family in the Washington, DC area.
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Candidates are encouraged to apply for individual funding, or seek support from their employers. The LAWA Program does not have the capacity to assist with these efforts.
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You must be a women’s human rights lawyer from Africa in order to be considered. You must hold an LL.B. or other law degree. Preference is given to those who:
- are currently living and working in Africa, and
- do not already have a Masters’ Degree.
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The strongest applicants tend to be about five to ten years out of law school. Others with less of more experience may be considered and accepted into the LAWA Program. Candidates with no work experience and are applying directly from an LL.B. or other law schools will not be considered.
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Men who are committed to women’s rights are strongly encouraged to apply.
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As a requirement of participation in the LAWA Program, all applicants must commit to returning home to their own countries upon completion of the Fellowship and to use their best professional efforts to advance women’s human rights in their countries throughout their careers.
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You must have strong English language skills, both written and oral. Language problems have been the primary barrier to success for LAWA Fellows.
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The LAWA Program requires candidates to become proficient in using computers for drafting papers and conducting research. Candidates are strongly encouraged to learn basic computer skills before arrival in order to make this transition easier. At the very minimum, candidates should work to improve their typing speed before starting the program.
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Candidates must be prepared to enter a very demanding course of study. LAWA Fellows take four required courses and several more elective courses over the course of the two semesters. Fellows are required to produce a Masters’ Thesis totalling no fewer than 40 pages, including several drafts of intense research, writing and editing. Successful completion of the program requires intense commitment, focus, and very hard work.
Offered Benefits
The LAWA Fellowship provides the tuition for the Foundations of American Law and Legal Education Course (a U.S. $2,200 benefit) and for the LL.M. degree (a U.S. $46,865 benefit) at the Georgetown University Law Center, as well as professional development training. Candidates who are admitted to the LAWA Program must be prepared to cover the costs of all additional expenses (such as their visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, books, etc.), and must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes that they have the funds available to cover those expenses (approximately $28,000).
Application Process
Please Submit *All* of the Following to Apply. Incomplete Applications will not be considered:
- Current Resume or CV, indicating:
- Complete the Application Form, including all three essay questions.
a) your employment history, including both paid and volunteer positions, including the name of your employer, the location of your employment (city, country), dates of your employment (start and end dates), and description of your work for each position you have held;
b) your education from high school to the present, including the name and location (city, country) of the institution, dates attended (including date of graduation), degree awarded, grade point average or your class rank and number of students, and your participation in any extracurricular activities;
c) titles of any published materials (articles, books, reports, etc.) or significant research papers;
d) any special honours, awards, scholarships, or fellowships; and
e) any memberships in organizations or community activities in which you have been involved, including any leadership roles.
- Two Letters of Recommendation (letters of reference) from persons who are well acquainted with you, your commitment to advancing women’s human rights in your country, your legal abilities, and your work. At least one reference should be a person who is willing to assist you in a professional manner upon your return to your country. Recommendations should make specific reference to your skills and knowledge. Please do not submit references that just attest to your good character.
- Official Law School Transcript or indicate the date on which you requested the registrar’s office at your law school to send your transcript to us: ________________. You will not be offered a place in the program until we receive your official law school transcript(s). Photocopies or Emails Directly from your Institution are not sufficient. Please include an explanation of the Grading and Ranking System. Transcripts will not be returned to you.
Send your completed application via e-mail to wlppfp-at-law.georgetown.edu by Friday, January 13, 2017. Letters of recommendation may be scanned and sent as e-mail attachments (preferred) or may be mailed separately. Please use only one method – do not send multiple copies. If you applied last year, you do not need to re-send your transcript, but you must resubmit your completed application form with your responses to questions 1-20, your updated resume, and updated recommendations.
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium-sized city of Washington (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), District of Columbia. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Georgetown University (GU) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Georgetown University (GU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 230 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 10-20% making this US higher education organization a most selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.