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OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Law will launch the nation’s first LL.M. in Air and Space Law this fall, with the degree program being available both on campus and online and as a full-time or part-time program.

Once it receives the necessary approvals, including the American Bar Association acquiescence – expected this month – the the law school will be the first and only ABA-accredited law school in the country to offer the degree.

“There are very few legal experts in aviation, remote sensing and space law,” said Richard Gershon, dean of the UM law school. “The University of Mississippi is fortunate to house some of the leading experts in those areas. There is no other law school with the strength, depth and resources that we have in this arena.”The new degree provides a rigorous and unique curriculum in U.S., international and comparative air and space law. The opportunity is available to those holding a J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school or a first law degree from a foreign law school.

The UM School of Law’s Journal of Space Law, the world’s oldest journal devoted to space law, published its first issue in 1973 and is recognized as one of the preeminent journals in the field of space law. The law school has also offered courses in both aviation and space law to students since 2003, with the certificate in remote sensing, air and space law offered at the J.D. level since 2007.

“The LL.M. in Air and Space Law provides attorneys with the critical knowledge necessary to work within this legal system and its complex legal issues, and the skills necessary to provide immediate and valuable contributions to the air and space law community,” said Jacqueline Serrao, acting director of the program.

“It is designed to prepare attorneys to effectively navigate through the myriad of legal and regulatory issues, and to encourage them to develop critical professional skills and experience working in these rapidly evolving fields.”

Select applicants will also have opportunities to join the editorial board of the Journal of Space Law and to gain practical experience by participating in the Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition team.

They will also have access to the school’s many resources, including the law library’s comprehensive collections of air and space law materials and the Space Law Archive, a unique repository for records related to the development of air and space law.

Those interested must register with the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service and submit an application through the Law School Admissions Council website. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation, a resume, a thesis proposal, English proficiency scores (if a foreign applicant) and transcripts, along with an application fee of $50. The deadline to apply for the fall 2013 entering class is April 30.

For more information or to apply, visit the University of Mississippi School of Law.