◆Master’s Program in Law
◆Established:
The Department of Law (Master’s Program) was established in the 2020 academic year, merging with the former Institute of Financial and Economic Law, which was founded in 2001.
◆Admissions:
Admissions are through the Master’s Program evaluation or entrance examinations.
◆Graduation Credits:
◆Development Focus:
Given the comprehensive challenges of national transformation, including macro-level policy perspectives and micro-level strategic applications, the program addresses the legal framework for resource management, institutional design, and balancing public-private decision-making processes. The department seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional legal education by fostering interdisciplinary research and teaching environments. This approach breaks away from the constraints of traditionalism and utilitarianism, cultivating professionals with a global vision and interdisciplinary thinking.
During its initial phase, the department prioritized recruiting faculty suitable for interdisciplinary research and leveraging existing university resources. Through collaborative efforts and mutual support, the program aims to develop integrated teaching and research teams, enriching the university’s interdisciplinary academic environment. The long-term goal is to meet the specific needs of Eastern Taiwan, seize regional transformation opportunities, and provide legal education resources essential for sustainable development, gradually building localized legal expertise.
◆Program Features:
The curriculum covers eight core areas: Fair Trade Law, Civil Property Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labor Law, International Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Indigenous Peoples Law, and Medical Law. Students can customize their studies by selecting at least two areas of focus to build foundational knowledge in both traditional and emerging legal fields. Additionally, the “Legal Affairs Internship” course allows students to gain practical experience in judicial institutions, legal aid foundations, indigenous legal service centers in Hualien, and law firms.
◆Faculty:
The department currently has 10 full-time faculty members, including 3 professors, 6 associate professors, and 1 assistant professor, all holding doctoral degrees in law. Several adjunct faculty members also contribute to teaching.
◆Career and Further Education:
Graduates may pursue doctoral degrees in domestic or international universities. Career opportunities include roles in professional fields such as judges, lawyers, or interdisciplinary roles like investigators, diplomats, and other public service positions through national examinations. Graduates can also enter private enterprises to engage in legal-related work. Many alumni have successfully secured such positions.
◆Program Overview:
◆Development Focus:
The program initially focuses on interdisciplinary faculty recruitment and collaboration within the university. The goal is to establish integrated teaching and research teams, enriching the university’s interdisciplinary academic environment. Long-term development includes tailoring the program to local needs, fostering regional opportunities, and building resources to support sustainable legal education and development in Eastern Taiwan.
◆Program Features:
Unlike traditional legal education, the program promotes an interdisciplinary teaching and research environment, breaking away from conventional frameworks. Students are trained with a macro perspective and interdisciplinary problem-solving abilities. The curriculum combines foundational courses, required courses, and electives, allowing students to explore both traditional and emerging legal fields. The “Legal Affairs Internship” course enables students to gain hands-on experience in judicial institutions and private legal organizations.
◆Further Education and Career Opportunities:
Undergraduate students can complete their bachelor’s degree in three years and transition to the master’s program under a “3+2” model, earning both degrees in five years. Graduates may also pursue advanced studies in domestic or international legal programs. Career options include roles in judicial professions (judges, lawyers), interdisciplinary fields (investigators, diplomats), or high-level public service positions. Graduates may also enter private enterprises in related fields.
◆Contact Information:
The Department of Law at National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) is the only higher education institution dedicated to legal studies in eastern Taiwan.
In response to the Ministry of Education and the Council of Indigenous Peoples’ "Four-Year Indigenous Higher Education Talent Development Plan (2014–2017)," which identified legal studies as a priority area for indigenous higher education talent cultivation, NDHU established the Indigenous Special Program within the Bachelor of Law Degree Program on August 1, 2017. To further enhance national policies on cultivating indigenous legal talent, the program was integrated into the Department of Law (encompassing master's, bachelor's, and indigenous special programs) with approval from the Ministry of Education on August 1, 2020.
The program is designed to construct a legal and jurisprudential knowledge system rooted in indigenous perspectives. Guided by the vision of mainstreaming indigenous legal education, the curriculum integrates indigenous knowledge and multicultural perspectives, establishing NDHU as a key center for Austronesian indigenous legal research.
The program aims to develop "legal professionals with a foundation in indigenous culture." The curriculum includes:
Beyond academic learning, the program emphasizes practical application and community engagement, using indigenous communities as spaces for service-based learning. It actively fulfills the university’s social responsibility through initiatives such as:
These thematic events foster collaboration with indigenous communities, employing a bottom-up approach to highlight local perspectives. The program promotes a dynamic and action-oriented rights movement, centered on indigenous viewpoints.
Key focus areas include land justice and environmental justice, starting from local engagement and expanding to global discussions. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for indigenous communities, embodying a "Knowledge to Action" vision of university social responsibility.
| Educational Objectives of the Master’s Program in the Department of Law |
|
| Professional Competency Indicators for Students in the Master’s Program in the Department of Law |
|
A. Possess a positive commitment to legal ethics and a strong sense of mission in meeting societal expectations and responsibilities. B. Demonstrate proficiency in professional legal knowledge and foundational jurisprudence. C. Exhibit the ability to engage deeply with local communities, contribute to localized development with enthusiasm, and serve Eastern Taiwan while maintaining a global perspective. |
| The Educational Objectives of the Department of Law |
| To cultivate legal professionals equipped with specialized legal knowledge, independent thinking skills, and a sense of humanitarian concern. |
|
Department of Law - Student Professional Competency Indicators |
|
A. Possess knowledge and skills in specialized legal fields and foundational jurisprudence. B. Demonstrate the ability to care for the underprivileged, a passion for service, and a sense of social responsibility. C. Exhibit independent, rational, and critical thinking abilities. D. Possess the capability to explore interdisciplinary issues. |
| Educational Objectives of the Department of Law - Indigenous Special Program |
|
| Professional Competency Indicators for Students in the Department of Law - Indigenous Special Program |
|
A. Possess knowledge and skills in specialized legal fields and Indigenous legal studies. B. Demonstrate multicultural care for the underprivileged, a passion for service, and a sense of social responsibility. C. Exhibit independent, rational, and critical thinking abilities. D. Possess the capability to explore interdisciplinary issues. |