In today’s increasingly connected economy, legal problems now span countries and frequently involve regional and international treaties and laws, so a career in international law can help aspiring lawyers understand the legal world from a global perspective. In addition, you can begin your career in international law by enrolling in free online courses in international law.
Online international law courses are flexible and inexpensive, and they come with a certificate of completion, although you must pay a small fee to obtain the certificate. However, the value of the course and the opportunities that the certificate can provide cannot be weighed against the cost of the certificate.
If you want to know more about international law, what it entails, if it’s a profitable career, how you can become an expert in international law, and the free online courses in international law, you need to peruse this post.
In this article, we cover the basic information about international law, ranging from the career outlook to the free online international law courses.
Let’s delve in!
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What is International Law?
International laws can be seen as rules and principles that govern how nations, states, and individuals interact with one another, and how international organizations interact.
International law provides states with guidelines and a shared conceptual framework in various areas, ranging from; war, diplomacy, trade, and human rights. International law aims to promote the practice of organized, stable, and consistent international relations.
These laws are designed to benefit countries by assisting in the peaceful resolution of disputes, the promotion of justice among nations, and preventing war.
There are generally three types of International laws.
Types of International Law
The following are the types of international law:
1. Public International Law
Public international law deals with the relationships between countries and states, that govern the international community’s binding rules to avoid conflict.
2. International Private Law
Private international law refers to the rules that govern the resolution of disputes between private individuals who cross international borders.
3. Supranational Laws
These laws generally rely on the limitations of sovereign nations’ rights. Thus, lawyers specializing in supranational law negotiate contracts and settle disputes based on the limitation of sovereign nations’ rights. The United Nations Security Council and the International Court of Justice are globally accepted supranational tribunals.
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Why Should I Have a Career in International Law?
Below are reasons why you should consider a career in international law:
1. Financial Rewards and Demand
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 9% increase in employment over the next decade, about the same as the national average for all occupations. It is also estimated that there will be approximately 46,000 openings for lawyers over the next decade.
Furthermore, Glassdoor reported that the average total salary for an International Lawyer in the United States is $151,531 per year. Therefore, a career in international law is financially rewarding and highly sought after.
2. Opportunity to Learn Transferable Skills
An international law degree will provide you with skills that you can apply in your professional and personal life as a whole as well as develop essential subject knowledge. Some of those skills are; teamwork, project management, communication skills, research, and analytical skills.
3. A Multitude of Career Options
According to the International Lawyers Network, international lawyers can work in various specialties such as taxation, securities law, and intellectual property law. In addition, some professionals may work for large corporations, advising them on legal issues concerning their business ventures. Others may work for non-profits in the private sector, advising legal practices for those who cannot afford a lawyer.
There are also numerous opportunities for international law students in the ‘International Court of Justice and various tribunals and commissions dealing with policymaking, reparation and justice, global security, human rights, and international criminal law. As a result, an international law certificate will allow you to work in various industries.
4. Opportunity to Learn the Foundations of the International Legal System
As part of the curriculum, international law covers all of the fundamental foundations of the legal system by providing insights into concepts, principles, and a comparative perspective. Consequently, family law, employment law, human rights law, environmental law, commercial law, criminal litigation and evidence, intellectual property law, business/company law, comparative law, and other topics are covered in these modules. Therefore, a career in international law will prepare you for the future.
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Why Enroll in Online Courses International Law?
The following are reasons why you should enroll in online international law courses:
1. Self-Paced Learning
In a traditional classroom, lecture times are fixed, and you may not control how they are held. On the other hand, online international law classes allow you to attend lectures from the comfort of your own home at your own pace. You will also receive electronic copies of lectures and other materials, which you will read and complete. As a result, online learning can be a rich and compelling learning mode.
2. It is Inexpensive
Online international law courses allow you to learn at your own pace and at a low cost; in fact, you can even enroll in free online courses in international law. As a result, you’d be able to learn from prestigious universities like the University of London, the University of Geneva, and other well-known institutions for free.
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How Do I Become an International Lawyer?
These steps show how to become an international lawyer:
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program
Most law schools require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite. You can attend law school in any subject you want, but many law students choose degrees in government, history, and economics.
Step 2: Complete a Practical Legal Training
The Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice can be obtained in six months or less, and most providers offer online coaching to assist you in earning the certification. This diploma is required to find a job and progress to Admission to Legal Practice. Hence, this is where you can get up to eight days of supervised legal experience under the supervision of a professional lawyer with more than three years of experience.
Step 3: Obtain Admission to Legal Practice
After completing your legal education, the next step is to apply for admission to the legal profession. Within five years of graduation, law graduates may apply to the state-relevant Admissions Authorities by the Supreme Court of the state or territory.
Step 4: Earn a Practising Certificate
After finding a job and completing 80 days of training, apply to the local Law Society for a Practising Certificate. After obtaining the Practising Certification, you can choose to remain a solicitor or pursue further education to become a barrister.
Step 5: Pass the Bar Exam
Passing your bar exam is the final step toward becoming an international law expert. The bar exam will allow you to advance to the level of a full-fledged International law practitioner. As a result, you’ll need to gain admission to the Bar Readers’ Course and pass your exam.
Now that you’ve known the career outlook in international law, let’s delve into the best free online courses in international law.
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Top Ten Free Online Courses in International Law With Certificates in 2022
The following are our top picks of free online courses in international law:
1. International Law in Action: the Arbitration of International Disputes
The first on our list of free online courses in international law is International in action. This is the third course of Leiden University’s series on International Law in Action. It explores the significant aspects of international arbitration as one of the most common methods of international dispute settlement.
This course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the various aspects of international arbitration, including its role as a dispute resolution mechanism, its institutions, the fields of law to which it applies, and, of course, its most famous awards.
In addition, you’ll learn the fundamental historical concepts of arbitration and everything there is to know about The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration. You’ll also learn about the role of international arbitration in resolving maritime disputes, focusing on the landmark South China Sea Arbitration.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Law in Action
Duration: 11 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
2. International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice
In this free international law certificate course, Prof. Robert Heinsch, Dr. Giulia Pinzauti, and Dr. Emma Irving will give you a deep insight into the rules governing armed conflict and aim to mitigate human suffering on the battlefield. You’ll learn why and how IHL works and the various types of conflict.
Additionally, you’ll quickly learn which rules apply to Syria’s civil war, Ukraine’s military intervention, and the occupation of the West Bank. Also, you will learn how to conduct hostilities: What weapons can combatants and other fighters use? And, during military operations, who should never be a target?
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice
Duration: 19 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
3. Global Diplomacy: Diplomacy in the Modern World
Global diplomacy is another highly rated course among the free online courses in international law. This free certificate course combines cutting-edge research in the broad fields of Diplomatic and International Studies, award-winning distance learning delivery, and the instructor’s prior MOOC delivery experience.
This course will teach you about changes in diplomatic practices and procedures and how those changes relate to current politics. You’ll also gain a solid understanding of both theoretical and empirical approaches to diplomacy debates based on various contributing disciplines in the broad field of International Studies.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Global Diplomacy
Duration: 13 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
4. Introduction to International Criminal Law
No area of law is as essential to world peace and security as international criminal law, from the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates.
This free international law certificate course, taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, will teach you the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. You will investigate international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and piracy.
Furthermore, you will investigate unique modes of international criminal liability and specialized defenses and the difficulties in obtaining custody of the accused and maintaining control of the courtroom, making it rank on the list of free online courses in international law.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Introduction to International Criminal Law
Duration: 13 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
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5. International Water Law
International law has undergone a series of significant developments in recent decades to accommodate the many new facets of freshwater management and protection. The adoption of universal, regional, and basin instruments emphasizes the importance of studying the evolution of international water regulations and identifying the fundamental principles in this field.
This free international law certificate course aims to provide the background needed to understand and examine the regulations governing transboundary freshwaters, particularly rivers, lakes, and aquifers. It explains the principles and legal standards that govern their use, sharing, management, and protection.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Water Law
Duration: 10 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
6. International Cyber Conflicts
International Cyber Conflicts is also at the top of our list of free online courses in international law. Because cyber conflicts are an international issue that cuts across national borders, furthermore, managing cyber incidents and conflicts necessitates an interdisciplinary approach that considers the characteristics of cyber threats and conflicts, international efforts to reduce and improve cyber security, and psychological and sociopolitical factors.
Therefore, by the end of the course, students will be able to apply what they’ve learned to analyze and manage international cyber incidents and conflicts and activities like developing cybercrime and cyber warfare policy. It will encourage participants to discuss relevant current events to enrich the experience with different personal and cultural perspectives on cutting-edge issues. Also, assignments and other assessments will supplement video lectures and selected readings to ensure that the material is applied.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Cyber Conflicts
Duration: 9 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
7. Privacy Law and HIPAA
This certificate program is also on our list of best free online courses in international law. Students will learn the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements in the University of Pennsylvania course. Gain a better understanding of privacy laws and data protection to protect better your organization and the constituents who rely on you to keep their personal information safe.
First, you’ll look at the historical context that influenced the development of privacy laws, best practices, and other standards. You’ll learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and what it takes to comply with it. You will also consider where privacy laws exist in the United States and which sectors remain unregulated.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Privacy Law and HIPAA
Duration: 12 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
8. International Women’s Health and Human Rights
This course covers women’s health and human rights issues from infancy to old age and information on effective interventions. Through interactive discussions, students are encouraged to interact with one another. The course was co-created by Consulting Professor Anne Firth Murray and Kevin Hsu. Anne Firth Murray is the Content Director of the course; Kevin Hsu is the Design Director of the course.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: International Women’s Health and Human Rights
Duration: 58 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
9. Citizenship and the Rule of Law
The law is above you, no matter how high you rise.” This principle, which is part of the Rule of Law, symbolizes the powerful notion that even politicians and monarchs are subject to the law. However, the Rule of Law is under threat worldwide in an age of powerful corporations, international cyber-crime, and popular support for authoritarian leaders.
This International law certificate course, offered by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law’s Bingham Centre, will provide an overview of current issues concerning the Rule of Law. Students will examine aspects of the Rule of Law each week and discuss how they are affected by current events. Furthermore, the course will use video lectures, suggested reading, discussion questions, and activities to help you develop your understanding of the Rule of Law.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Citizenship and the Rule of Law
Duration: 21 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
10. Children’s Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Introduction
The last on our free online courses in international law list is Children’s Human Rights. This international law course covers the most important aspects of children’s human rights. It draws on the contributions of several academic disciplines, including law, psychology, sociology, history, educational and health sciences, economics, and anthropology, to guide the student through various critical issues concerning children’s rights.
Participants will learn about the history of this particular human rights category and the evolution of children’s challenges, and society’s responses over time. Furthermore, the course will highlight successful international strategies and programs promoting children’s rights and the role of key actors in international organizations working in this field.
Provider: Coursera
Subject: Children’s Human Rights
Duration: 11 Hours
Start Date: Self-Paced
Conclusions
To wrap it up, a career in international law is lucrative, and the demand for international lawyers will continue to see an uptrend based on the report by the BLS. In addition, as an international law graduate, you can work for the International Court of Justice and numerous tribunals and commissions dealing with policymaking, reparation and justice, global security, human rights, and international criminal law.
A career in international law will provide you with a global perspective on the legal world. Thus, if you want to pursue a career in international law or update your legal knowledge, you can begin by enrolling in any of the free online courses in international law that we’ve listed. We hope you found this article helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Free Online Courses in International Law
Because international law is a broad field that includes aspects of international economics and international politics, you will learn about all aspects of legal relations between countries and beyond as an international law expert.
An international lawyer earns an average annual salary of $151,541 annually.
The Bachelor of International Studies/Laws program is a six-year full-time program; however, you can enroll in free online courses in international law that last a year or less.
You can study International law from the following sight:
Coursera
Udemy
Alison
FutureLearn
The following are the best to country study International law:
United States of America (USA)
United Kingdom (UK)
Australia
Canada
Singapore
Japan
China
Reference
- law.cornell.edu – What is International Law?
- bweduction.businessworld.in – Why Study International Law?
- au.indeed.com – How do You Become an International Lawyer?
- coursea.org – Free Online Courses in International Law
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