By Kelly Kilpatrick

Degrees that teach intellectual property issues span both the legal issues that govern patents, copyrights and trademarks (like their enforcement, litigation and dispute resolution aspects) and the business and transactional aspects of intellectual properties. They are designed for:

    * Attorneys who wish to practice in the fields of patent, copyright and trademark law.
    * JD or LLB graduates who wish to specialize in the field of intellectual property in an effort to advance their careers.
    * JD or LLB graduates who desire and career in teaching and research in intellectual property.
    * Technology managers and administrators who work on intellectual property issues.
    * Law graduates from other countries who meet the qualifications required to enroll in a postgraduate law program in the United States of America.
    * Foreign government officials, patent agents and corporate officers who wish to familiarize themselves with the way the U.S. intellectual property system works.

 While a background in engineering and physical sciences is required to pursue a degree in intellectual property, there are a few institutions that allow specialization in areas that do not require expertise in these disciplines, including those that deal with copyright issues for literature, art and computer software, e-Commerce and cybercrimes, and the licensing of trade marks and trade secrets. Most courses are designed so that even strangers to intellectual property issues are able to grasp the finer aspects of this law and graduate without too much trouble. Most institutions offer evening classes to accommodate the needs of working professionals who may not be able to attend daytime courses. 

Some of the degrees offered are the LLM (IP), the Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) and the Diploma in Intellectual Property (DIP). While the first is a full-fledged postgraduate program, the latter two are interdisciplinary one-year and six-month programs respectively that incorporate both academic coursework and internships with large corporations, law firms and government agencies to provide an all-round experience in the field of intellectual property. Job opportunities for graduates are available at patent firms, corporate legal departments, law firms, government offices and agencies, software companies and broadcast networks.