The LL.M.

in US Law
We examine the few dozen programs where foreign lawyers can really get to know the
US legal system.
By V. Wish, Mar 23, 2009
2

US Supreme Court

It's no secret that many of the world's best law schools are in the United States. Every year,
thousands of lawyers from around the world put their jobs on hold to pursue an LL.M. degree
there. Many join the few dozen US law schools that offer LL.M. programs in US Law
specifically for foreign lawyers.
Some lawyers enroll in these - and other US-based LL.M. programs - because they plan to
take the bar exam for New York or California, two US states that allow LL.M. graduates without
an American Bar Association-recognized JD degree to sit the exam.
Deborah Call, associate dean at the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of
Law, says that about two-thirds of the students on her LL.M. program for foreign lawyers take a
US state bar exam, even when their intention is to return to their home country.
"They do it because it gives them an opportunity for advancement in their job back in their
home country, or gives them a leg up if they are going go back out into the job market," says
Call.
"Many of our alumni are partners in their law firm now," she adds. "Passing that bar has really
been a big piece of their ladder up."
While USC and other law schools offer some bar exam prep workshops for LL.M. students
interested in taking the exam, it is not the focus of the academic year.
"We don't pretend to do in one year what a JD program does in three," says Peter
Kochenburger, director of graduate programs at the University of Connecticut School of Law,
which offers a US Law LL.M. program. "But an LL.M. is a way to get a credential to practice law
in the United States in a third of the time."
Kochenburger says that despite a growing demand for specialized LL.M. programs, many
lawyers from abroad are still drawn to more general US Law programs. Part of this is due to
the academic reputation of US law schools abroad, which can be useful for lawyers who want
to become academic professors.

Another major draw is that US Law is still one of the most - if not the most - influential and
relevant legal systems in the world.
"In a practical sense, for individuals who see their legal career as working for companies or law
firms that do business all over the globe - or at least more than in their home country - US Law
is probably the best choice," says Kochenburger.
"Is that going to change in ten years? Who knows? But right now, it is the dominant law of
commerce internationally."
According to Deborah Call at USC, students tend to choose classes within the program based
how much experience they have practicing law. The average work experience for USC LL.M.
students is around 3.5 years, but some come with more or less experience.
"Those that have more years of work experience are much more comfortable, and willing to
take a corporate transactions class, for example," says Call. "These are the smaller seminar
classes where they have to engage."
"I find that the younger students will stay in the larger, lecture-type classes."
Beyond the bar
Of course, another major advantage of a US Law LL.M. is the chance for foreign lawyers to
improve their English language skills through reading assignments, interacting with
classmates, writing exams, not to mention just getting by for a year living in an American city.
In addition, some smaller programs intentionally mix foreign LL.M. students with American law
students. The LL.M. program at Vanderbilt University, for example, admits around 30 foreign
students a year who end up taking most of their classes alongside American JD students.
"There's kind of visceral familiarity with American legal culture that develops when you've spent
a year here," says Vanderbilt Law School Dean Edward Rubin. "Some of the value of an LL.M.
comes from learning law, but some of it also comes from the socialization - the contact and
familiarization."
"When they go back to their home countries, their ability to get on the phone with Americans,
negotiate with Americans, and understand something that was written by an American is
significantly better."
In addition, after a year studying in the United States, lawyers can come out with a more
nuanced view of their own legal system. Rubin compares it to the time he spent studying
Japanese law in Japan as a young law student.
"I found that it taught me so much about American law," says Rubin. "It made me look at our
own legal system so much more critically. Here's an advanced industrialized country with
essentially the same material culture as ours, and yet they can think so differently on many
cases."
Like Rubin, Peter Kochenburger at UConn thinks that a diversity of foreign students also

benefits American law students in an increasingly globalized profession.

"If you're in New York City or Washington DC, sitting down with foreign students might be
something you've done a lot of," says Kochenburger. "That's not true of most of the country."
"Having students from Uzbekistan, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, or Peru really brings an
intellectual richness to the program and the law school as a whole," he says.
"And, I should add, they are highly coveted by our soccer team."

LLM in U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers

APPLY NOW

The Master of Laws (LLM) in U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers at Washington University is designed for law
students who are interested in increasing their knowledge of United States or international law to more
effectively practice in todays global legal environment. LLM students join a student body drawn from diverse
legal cultures and learn from faculty who are experts in both United States and international law.
LLM students design their own curriculum to suit their own academic and career goals, either concentrating in
specialized fields such as corporate or environmental law or selecting a general course of study to increase
their breadth of U. S. and international legal knowledge.

Earning the LLM in U.S. Law permits WU law graduates to sit for several states bar examinations, including
the New York State Bar Examthe most popular bar among foreign lawyers.
This LLM program is an ideal environment for experienced attorneys and recent law graduates alike to pursue
any of a number of significant professional and academic goals, such as:
Gaining practical and theoretical knowledge of U.S. and international law.
Developing expertise in a specialized field of law.
Strengthening your ability to represent clients who have business dealings in the U.S. or with U.S.
companies and firms.
Improving your representation of American clients who conduct business abroad.
Building an international network of professional contacts.
Refining your English skills and understanding of American culture.

Admission Requirements

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U.S. Law LLM candidates must have earned a first law degree from their home jurisdiction.
Non-native applicants have to show proof of sufficient language proficiency.
Candidates must submit:
an application;
one recommendation letter;
Official academic transcripts, in notarized English translations if not provided in English by your
university;
Indication of English-language proficiency, as in a recent TOEFL, IELTS, ILEC or other standardized
test score.*
*If you do not have a recent standardized test score or no score at all, we will provide the opportunity for a
Skype-interview language evaluation as part of your admissions interview.
Once admitted, you will be required to present a letter of credit from a bank or other lending institution showing
you have sufficient financial support to study in the United States.
All materials must be submitted by May 15.**
**We strongly recommend that applicants apply as early as possible.

Special Information Concerning the U.S. VISA Process:

Washington University School of Law works closely with all of our admitted students to ensure timely and
correct filings of visas. Be forewarned, however, that the process of applying for and receiving a U.S. student
visa is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. We urge you to get your applications in early, and we
promise to work on your visa documents early.
For more information, contact by e-mail, phone or fax for materials:
E-Mail: intllm@wulaw.wustl.edu
Phone: 314-935-3346
Fax: 314-935-7961

The LL.M. American Law Program (for Non-U.S. Lawyers)

Introduction: The Global Degree
Foreign-trained attorneys are increasingly called upon to handle the complex demands of their global
clients -- clients whose cross-border interests implicate U.S. law. The issues they face range far and wide:

Whats the best legal structure for my companys affiliate in the U.S?
How does the First Amendment apply to the Internet?
What liabilities does my company face if it lists on a U.S. stock exchange?
Will my company's merger violate U.S. antitrust laws?
To serve their clients or advise their companies, global lawyers must not only understand the substance
of U.S. law, they must also work effectively with their U.S.-trained counterparts. They must understand
U.S. legal culture and how U.S. counsel are trained to "think," and they must possess highly polished
legal English skills that allow them to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally.
The LL.M. in American Law Program is specifically designed to prepare foreign lawyers for the
challenge of global practice. In this program, students are fully-integrated into BU Law's J.D. classes,
where they sit side-by-side with American students being trained in the tradition of U.S. legal education.
This means you will not only learn the substance of U.S. doctrine in virtually any area of interest -intellectual property, international business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, alternative dispute
resolution, to name only a few -- but you will learn something equally as important: how U.S. lawyers are
trained to analyze legal questions and advocate on their clients' behalf. By the end of the year, we expect
you will have developed skills to make you a more effective global practitioner. You will have gained
unique insight into the "mindset" of U.S. lawyers and others trained in the common law. You will have the
necessary perspective to work across borders, and transact with lawyers from diverse traditions and
backgrounds.
In that sense, our American Law Program is anything but American. It's truly global.

Coastal Laws online LL.M. program meets many of the needs of students that are often
neglected by residential LL.M. programs. Traditional programs can be expensive and take

lawyers away from their families and jobs for a year or more. Existing programs are not
specifically aimed at students who already hold a law degree from outside the U.S. By
comparison, Coastal Law has created courses specifically for foreign lawyers, providing what
they need: a comprehensive overview of U.S. Law.
Renowned U.S. law professors from Coastal Law and other accredited law schools provide a
fundamental overview of U.S. law, using cutting-edge technology that allows students to watch
live and archived lectures, take quizzes, submit writing assignments, and interact with their
professors. Students can obtain a high quality U.S. legal education without the expense and
disruption of leaving their jobs and families. For more information, please contact Nicole
Carlucci, Admissions Counselor: NCarlucci@fcsl.edu.
Opportunities Made Possible through the Online LL.M. Program:

Improve your legal skills without leaving your professional and personal
communities.

With the credential of an LL.M. degree, improve your career opportunities

with law firms and corporations handling U.S. business.

Handle legal work outsourced from the U.S.

Enhance your ability to meet the academic qualifications required to take a
U.S. bar exam.* Our curriculum meets the requirements for both the California
and Washington State Bar exams.

Earn your degree in as little as one year, on a schedule that works best for
you.
*Every state has different requirements for its bar exam. Students interested in taking a U.S.
bar exam should consult that states rules.

Yanna Applegate
I would highly recommend the LL.M. program at Florida Coastal School of Law for any foreign
attorney who wishes to pursue a legal career in the U.S. or is seeking to add value to their
professional careers in their home countries. I graduated from the program in fall 2013,
immediately afterwards, took the California Bar Exam and passed it on the first try. The
curriculum of the LL.M. program is well designed to provide the LL.M. graduates with a
comprehensive overview of the U.S. legal system and the knowledge of the U.S. law core
subjects that is essential to have a successful experience on the Bar exams.
The fact that the LL.M. program is designed entirely on-line provides students with the flexibility
to learn the U.S. law from anywhere in the world at their own pace. The professors teaching

the LL.M. courses are true experts in their fields, many of them have extensive experience
working with foreign students. They combine academic expertise and practical experiences
and transform legal theories and principles into working tools that are essential not only in
passing the Bar exams, but in preparing LL.M. students to become competent practitioners in
the legal field. Professors at FCSL have an open door policy and students are always
welcome to submit their questions by email or over the phone.
I also appreciated the diversity of students in the LL.M. program that brought together people
with different perspectives, concerns, and experiences who wanted to interact, learn, and
engage together. I was constantly impressed with the contributions from my classmates during
the classroom discussions and my experience with other students was one of support,
friendship, and collaboration.
I consider earning an LL.M. degree at Florida Coastal as a great investment and essential step
to achieve my goal of becoming a licensed U.S. attorney.
-Yana Applegate, First degree in law from Russia, U.S. Law LL.M. Magna Cum Laude, Active
member of the California State Bar

Musa A. Bangura
I must confess I was skeptical about taking the LL.M. online, having done all my legal studies
traditionally. However, because of my work schedule and other committments, the offer by
Coastal Law made a lot of sense. Having completed the course, I can say with certainty that
the program is indeed delivered with an international student body in mind.
The classes are quite interactive and students can communicate with the professors live while
the lecture is being delivered. Students can participate in question and answer sessions and
the classes are being recorded for later referencing. All the professors are experienced in their
respective fields and it shows in their delivery and lectures.
-Musa A. Bangura Sierra Leone, West Africa
LL.M. in U.S. Law Core Curriculum (26 credit hours*):

*Each Credit Hour equals 700 minutes of instruction. The total minutes included in the
program amount to 18,200 minutes.

Legal Analysis, Reasoning, and Communication, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course teaches students essential skills in legal analysis, legal reasoning, legal
research, problem solving, and oral and written communication. Students are given life-like
problems to analyze and resolve using legal analysis techniques learned in the class.
Students have opportunities to communicate findings and receive individual feedback.

Constitutional Law, 3 credits (2100 minutes)

This course explores the U.S. Constitution: the worlds longest running democratic charter.
Students will learn about the structure of the constitutional system, including principles of
separation of powers and federalism, as well as the Bill of Rights. The most important
constitutional law issues of the day are explored. U.S. Supreme Court cases and civil rights
statutes will be studied.

Civil Procedure, 3 credits (2100 minutes)

This course examines the procedural aspects of civil disputes in the U.S., under both state and
federal systems, and looks at the court systems and the processes of bringing and defending
cases. The course will examine the unique U.S. process of the discovery of evidence, including
depositions and document production. There will be an overview of alternative dispute
resolution focusing on arbitration and mediation.

Evidence, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course examines the Federal Rules of Evidence that govern the admissibility of evidence
during trials. This material is tested on the bar examination and also is important to lawyers
who assist U.S. firms with the discovery process used in litigation.

Contracts and Sales, 3 credits (2100 minutes)

This course introduces students to practical issues in contract law theories and doctrines. This
course will survey the application of contract law in various contexts with case law, relevant
portions of the Uniform Commercial Code, the Restatements, Convention on the International
Sale of Goods, and treatises. This course will explore the bases of contract law, creation and
termination rights, the role of capital markets, problems in contract formation, contract
interpretation theories, and settlement strategies.
Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, 3 credits (2100 minutes)

This course focuses upon both federal and state criminal law in the United States. Most
criminal law is contained in statutes. Students will gain an understanding of the entire timeframe of a crime, from commission through prosecution and possible imprisonment. All types of
crimes are covered including white collar crime. Cutting-edge criminal law issues in the U.S.
are discussed. This course will also examine the procedural rules of criminal cases. It covers
provisions of the Bill of Rights that regulate the governments pursuit and prosecution of
criminal defendants. Important issues such as search and seizure and self-incrimination are
covered with emphasis on the fourth through eighth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Real Property, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course examines the common law and statutory codes of property law, which is primarily
a matter of state law. It will also touch upon real estate transactions, the environmental law
aspects of property, and the basic organization of U.S. intellectual property and technology law.

Professional Responsibility, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course will detail the rules of Professional Responsibility, including state and ABA Model
Rules of Professional Conduct, and leading federal and state case law on the subject. The
course will delve into the history, goals, structure, values, rules and responsibilities of the
United States legal profession and its members.

Business Organizations, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course provides an understanding of the various organizational structures available to

businesses including foreign businesses operating in the U.S. These structures include
corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. There will be an overview of
business formation and the state and federal laws that govern businesses including the U.S.
Securities Acts. The course compares U.S. corporate law to that of select foreign countries and
discusses relevant international treaties.

Torts, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course explores the unique tort system of the U.S., where individuals sue for personal
wrongs committed against them. Torts consists primarily of laws made by judges, and the
course provides students with insight into the U.S. common law system. Real-world subjects of
recent suits will be examined in areas including products liability and environmental harms. The
concept of class actions will be studied.

Wills, Trusts and Successions, 2 credits (1400 minutes)

This course examines wills, trusts, and other methods for preserving and transferring wealth or
property to beneficiaries in the context of death or economic planning. The course will describe
how estate and other taxes affect the drafting of these legal documents.

Individualized attention, integration with US law students, an extensive and flexible program of study,
reasonable costs, and an outstanding faculty and location: these are just a few aspects of the LL.M.
Program in U.S. Legal Studies that foreign law graduates can expect from the UConn Law.
The U.S. Legal Studies LL.M. Program at UConn Law accepts only a small number of highly qualified
foreign law graduates each yearnormally a class of between (20) and (30) students. This ensures that
all admitted candidates receive individualized attention from both the faculty and staff throughout
their stay. Virtually all classes are taken with J.D. students and the Law School offers among the best
student-faculty ratios of any law school in the United States (11:1) as well as a dedicated
staff focusing specifically on the needs of international students.
Choosing from the approximately 150 courses offered annually, international students can design their
own program of study or, if they wish, obtain a certificate of specialization in Energy and
Environmental Regulation, International Human Rights, Intellectual Property, Insurance Law, or Tax
Law. Our faculty includes recognized experts in all these fields, but perhaps more importantly, many of
them also have significant experience teaching at law schools throughout the world, which further
demonstrates the Law Schools commitment to the international law student.
Flexibility and reasonable costs are hallmarks of our LL.M. program. The course of study may be
pursued over two or, with permission, three semesters, and admitted students may start in either the
fall (late August) or spring (January) semesters. As a state-supported institution our program fees are
among the lowest of any top-tier law school in the United States. LL.M. students who obtain good
grades may also apply to our J.D. program without having to take the LSAT, and if accepted, can
transfer most of their LL.M. credits to their J.D. program. Additional information about LL.M.-J.D.
transfer can be found here. The Law School has also established a new S.J.D. program for a small,
select group of LL.M. graduates who wish to spend several years on in-depth scholarly research and
writing. Additional information about the S.J.D. program can be found on the admissions section of the
UConn Law website.
UConn Law is located in Hartford, Connecticut in the historic New England region, just two hours from
both New York and Boston. Hartford is the capital of the insurance industry in the United States and
the Law Schools location provides access to some of the largest financial services firms in the world.
Cultural and recreational activities also abound, whether in greater Hartford or further afield,
including numerous museums and performing art centers. The extraordinary beauty and history of New
England will be on your doorstep, including small villages, pristine beaches, and major mountain

ranges, all of which are easily accessible from Hartford. The Law School itself is located in the
residential West End of Hartford, on a lovely gothic-style campus that is listed on the U.S. National
Register of Historic Places.
The International Programs Office invites you to explore the website for more information. Application
information can be found in the How to Apply section. For further inquiries or information on visiting
our campus, please contact gradstudies@law.uconn.edu or call 1-860-570-5392. We promise you quick
responses to your questions and a warm welcome upon your arrival.

The LL.M. program in U.S. Legal Studies may be pursued on a full-time basis over two consecutive
semesters, beginning in the fall term which starts in late August and in the spring term which starts in
mid January. The program can be completed in two or, with permission, three semesters. LL.M.
candidates are required to complete courses in U.S. Law and Legal Institutions and Legal Writing, and
at least 20 additional credit hours, for a minimum of 24 credits. As described below, 2-3 of these
credits should satisfy the mandatory writing requirement. LL.M. candidates are required to maintain a
C+ average, and obtain a minimum grade of C+ on the writing requirement. In consultation with
the faculty, LL.M. students design a course of study in their areas of interest. A major purpose of the
U.S. Legal Studies program is enabling students to explore a range of subject areas as well as
concentrating in a particular field of law. This flexibility encourages students to study new legal areas
for the first time, as well as to further their specialization in particular subjects. To encourage
students to take advantage of a diverse faculty with different backgrounds and teaching styles, LL.M.
students may not take more than one course a semester from the same professor without approval of
the LL.M. Director or their designee.

Writing Requirement
LL.M. students must satisfy a 2-3 credit writing requirement as part of their degree program. The
paper must be on a topic approved by the director of graduate programs, and written on a graded
basis. There are several ways the writing requirement can be fulfilled:

Writing a thesis, as described below,

With the permission of the instructor at the beginning of the course, substituting a substantial

In conjunction with a class that requires a substantial paper (minimum 20 page length),

paper for an examination,

As a special research project of not less than two credits supervised by a full-time or adjunct
faculty member,*

Writing a piece certified to be published or nearly publishable by the faculty advisor of the
Connecticut Law Review, the Connecticut Journal of International Law, the Connecticut Public
Interest Law Journal, or the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal

*If you are planning to sit for a Bar Exam in the US and are interested in independent study, please
review the Bar Exam requirements to make sure independent study would be considered eligible
credit.

Thesis
LL.M. students may, at their option, write a thesis for 3 credits that satisfies the writing requirement.
A thesis is a substantial paper that is of publishable or near publishable quality, and involves supervised
drafts. LL.M. students must write a thesis if they wish to be considered for honors. A thesis can be
written in two ways:

As part of a 3 credit course with permission of the instructor, who acts as the thesis advisor,
As a special 3 credit research project supervised by a full-time faculty member.*

*If you are planning to sit for a Bar Exam in the US and are interested in independent study, please
review the Bar Exam requirements to make sure independent study would be considered eligible
credit.

Honors Designation
LL.M. students are eligible to graduate with honors under the following conditions:

Obtain a minimum 3.3 grade point average,

The thesis must also be submitted to a 3-member faculty panel composed of the thesis

Write a thesis and obtain a grade of A or A- as determined by the faculty advisor, and

advisor, the director of the Program and a faculty member chosen jointly by the student and
the advisor. The panel would not alter the faculty advisor's grade, but would make the final
determination whether the thesis was of honors quality. The panel serves as a screening
process to help ensure a level of uniformity in determining what constitutes an honors thesis.
ll courses are open to LL.M. candidates as well as J.D. candidates. LL.M. candidates may select courses
from among the many US and International Law courses offered as part of the Law School's extensive
curriculum. Only a few courses have required prerequisites. LL.M. candidates may also participate in
the various legal clinics at the Law School. These include the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic, Tax
Clinic, Mediation Clinic, and Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic.

Certificates of Specialization
As part of the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies degree, students may obtain a certificate of specialization in
five areas:

International Human Rights

Tax Law

Financial Services Regulation

Energy and Environmental Regulation

Intellectual Property

Students should announce their intention to seek a certification at the beginning of their academic
year and plan their course enrollment to fulfill the credit requirements. The professors for the
specific certificate program can offer guidance on the courses available; however, students should
alert the graduate programs office and the registrar of the desire to fulfill the certificate. To be
awarded the certificate, students must complete 9 credits in their area of specialization, complete
their writing requirement in that area and achieve a minimum of a B average in all of the certificate
coursework including the writing requirement. The required courses in U.S. Law and Legal Institutions
and Legal Research and Writing do not count towards the certificate credit requirement. Students may
be required to take the entry-level course in their certification area, depending upon their prior
preparation and experience. This course would count towards the credit minimum.
Note that students do not need to choose an area of specialization; this is only an option to allow
students who wish to specialize to draw upon particular strengths within the School of Law.

stakes cases that determine whether a client who has fled political, religious or other persecution in
his or her home country will be granted asylum in the United States. In this intensive, one-semester
program, students develop their legal skills and learn to exercise professional responsibility and
judgment. They deepen their understanding of human rights issues while providing an essential service
to clients desperately in need of representation.

Achievements
Since its founding in 2002, the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic has handled 101 asylum cases to
completion. In 93 of those cases, the Clinics clients were granted asylum or other forms of relief
from removal. In many instances, spouses and children were also beneficiaries of the asylum grant, so
the total number of refugees who have been able to secure legal status in the United States as a result
of the Clinics work is into the hundreds. Many of the Clinics past clients are now U.S. citizens.
The Asylum and Human Rights Clinic celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2012. It was honored with the
Myra M. Oliver Award by the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition for exceptional service to
Connecticuts immigrant communities, awarded at the annual Immigrant Day held at the Connecticut
State Capitol. Over the past several years, the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic has also engaged in
innovative interdisciplinary collaborations with the UConn School of Social Work and UConn Health
Center which has enhanced services to clients while enriching the professional education of law, social
work, and psychology students.

Students
Typically, 20 law students participate in the intensive Asylum and Human Rights Clinic program each
year (12 in the fall semester, 8 in the spring). Students who have taken the Clinic may continue to do
supervised casework in subsequent semesters by enrolling in Advanced Clinic Fieldwork. Other law
students provide valuable assistance to the Clinic's clients, and gain insight into international human
rights issues and legal advocacy, by serving as language interpreters in the Clinic's cases as student
employees or pro bono volunteers.

More than 200 law students have participated in the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic since the program
started in the fall of 2002. The legal experience, exposure to human rights issues, and commitment to
public service that students have gained through the program have had a lasting impact on their
careers. Asylum and Human Rights Clinic alumni have gone on to judicial clerkships, positions with the
U.S. Justice Department, State Department and Department of Homeland Security, public interest law
jobs, and positions in large and small law firms. Click here for an article profiling one of the Asylum
Clinics alumni.

Clinic Faculty
Clinical Professor of Law Jon Bauer is the Asylum and Human Rights Clinics director. He has been a
member of the law school faculty since 1988, and has taught clinical and non-clinical courses focusing
on civil rights, employment law, poverty law and mediation. He has been teaching the Asylum and
Human Rights Clinic since 2002.
Anna Cabot co-teaches the program as the William R. Davis Clinical Teaching Fellow. Anna, who joined
the Asylum and Human Rights Clinic in the summer of 2014, previously served as managing attorney of
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Texas. She has also worked for Asylum Access,
advocating on behalf of refugees in Tanzania, and for the ACLUs National Prison Project.

Thank you for your interest in applying. Each year the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies at the University
of Connecticut School of Law greets a small number of international students selected from a
competitive pool of applicants from around the world. Connecticut offers a broad selection of courses
more than 150 in U.S. law, international law, and comparative law.

Eligibility to Apply
To apply for admission to the LL.M. Program in U.S. Legal Studies, applicants are generally required to
hold or expect to receive a degree from a recognized law faculty outside the United States before
matriculating in the LL.M. program at UConn School of Law. Three exceptions apply:
First, when a student is enrolled in a program in a foreign university leading to the equivalent of two
integrated law degrees in the United States (e.g., a bachelors and masters in law, or a masters and
doctorate in law), UConn School of Law may permit the student to enroll in the LL.M. program. This
enrollment can take place in the fourth or fifth year of a five-year program equivalent to a bachelors
and masters in law, or, in the case of an integrated masters-PhD program in law, when all the courses
equivalent to earning the masters are completed at the home university. In such cases, the LLM will
be awarded upon completion of the degree requirements here at UConn Law School.
Second, when a student has received a first degree in a subject area outside of law and has completed
or is pursuing a graduate degree in law at foreign law faculty, UConn School of Law may permit the
student to enroll in the LL.M. program simultaneously with the completion of the graduate degree in
law at the foreign law faculty. In such circumstances, however, UConn School of Law will not award
the LLM degree until it has received confirmation from the students home university that the student
has received the graduate degree in law from the foreign law faculty.

Third, when a student is still enrolled in a program leading to a first degree in law, UConn School of
Law may permit the student to enroll in the LL.M. program in the third or fourth year after
commencing that first degree. In such circumstances however, UConn School of Law will not award
the LLM degree until it has received confirmation from the students home university that the student
has in fact been awarded the first degree in law (normally after the student has returned home for
one year of additional study).
The admissions committee considers the applicant's academic performance, intellectual curiosity and
professional experience. The School of Law admits approximately 20 LL.M. candidates each year; the
number of applications and expressions of interest significantly exceed that number. Consequently,
admission is selective and limited to those who demonstrate academic excellence.

Applying through Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through LSAC. To learn more about LSAC, please review
the full description of LSAC services. If you encounter problems during the application process, please
contact our office for assistance.

Applying through E-mail

For applicants who do not wish to use LSAC, please e-mail all required documents
togradstudies@law.uconn.edu.

Application Documents
A complete application file consists of:
1.

A completed UConn Law LL.M. Programs Common Application form.

2.

A writing sample in English.

3.

A (non-refundable) check (in American dollars), travelers check or international money order
payable to "The University of Connecticut School of Law" in the amount of $75 (US) for the
application processing fee.

4.

Final law school transcript from the applicant's degree-granting institution. The law degree
should be the equivalent of the J.D. or LL.B. degree; correspondence course degrees will not
be considered for admission.

5.

Personal statement describing educational background, reasons for enrolling in the LL.M.
program for U.S. Legal Studies, planned course of study and career goals.

6.

Two (2) letters of recommendation, either present or former law professors or supervisors of
your legal work, which the recommender must send electronically. You can download a copy of
the recommendation form here.

7.

Financial Declaration Form, and an

8.

Official TOEFL/IELTS test score. Our university code is 3915.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

International applicants to UConn Law's LLM programs must provide proof of English proficiency or
demonstrate qualification for an exemption from this requirement. All international candidates are
asked to consult the English Proficiency Requirements page for details.

Deadlines
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. All international student applications should generally
be received by June 1 for Fall enrollment, or November 15th for Spring enrollment. Applications
received before these dates will be given priority consideration. Admission decisions will generally be
made within several weeks of when a full application is received. Application forms are available for
download and must be submitted electronically.

LL.M. students who obtain good grades may also apply to our J.D. program without having to take the
LSAT, and if accepted, can transfer most of their L.LM. credits to their J.D. program.
1. International LL.M. students who have a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent to 3.3/B+
and who have completed two semesters worth of work in our LL.M. programs may apply as a transfer
student to the J.D. program under the regular J.D. transfer process. This process is limited to
international students in one of our LL.M. programs; LL.M. students at other schools are not eligible.
2. These students will not have to take the LSAT, though they should complete all other aspects of the
transfer application process which can be found on our web site. When possible, the J.D. Admissions
Committee will utilize material from the applicant's LL.M. file, including transcripts from foreign law
schools and TOEFL scores.
3. LL.M. students applying to the transfer program will need to take a minimum of one required first
year (J.D.) course on a graded basis (not pass-fail) in their first two semesters and also submit two
letters of recommendation from the UConn Law faculty, one of which must come from the professor
teaching the required first year course.
4. LL.M. students who apply will be notified if they have been accepted into the J.D. program after
grades have been received for at least two academic semesters within the LL.M. program. This should
allow adequate time to review the application after receipt of the second semesters grades and still
provide sufficient time to obtain any necessary visa approval.
5. Once accepted into the J.D. program, LL.M. graduates will be able to transfer credits for most
courses taken at the Law School, provided that the examination in such courses was conducted on
"substantially the same terms" as J.D. students. For example, credits in courses with proctored exams
can only be transferred if the student completed the exam under the same conditions as J.D. students
(i.e., they received no extra time in writing the examination). The four credits for the required U.S.
Law & Legal Institutions and Legal Research and Writing courses do not transfer. Some required first
year courses for J.D. students may be offered over two semesters (for example, Civil Procedure I and
II); LL.M. students who enroll in these courses must take them for a grade and complete both

semesters in order to receive transfer credit. While credit earned for the LL.M. writing requirement (a
research paper or thesis) can transfer, the LL.M. paper will not satisfy the J.D. Upperclass Writing
Requirement.
6. J.D. Admissions will require LL.M. students to have a minimum TOEFL score of 100/250/ 600
(Internet/Computer/Written) either when applying to the LL.M. program, or prior to admission to the
J.D. program. This requirement can be waived under appropriate circumstances. Subject to the
discretion of the J.D. Admissions Committee, LL.M. students whose language of instruction was English
in their foreign law program will generally be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
7. LL.M. students must complete their LL.M. program before beginning their J.D. studies.
8. The application deadline is July 1st.

n today's global environment, lawyers from around the world are finding that the
Master of Laws (LLM) degree from a US or Canadian law school is useful as
certification for career advancement and international credibility.
What does LLM stand for?
LLM is derived from Legum Magister, which means master of laws in Latin.
What courses comprise the LLM curriculum?
The LLM curriculum varies depending on the program. Many programs provide a
broad curriculum in American law, the US or Canadian legal system, international
law, and comparative law. Others provide more specialized courses in subfields
such as taxation, intellectual property, human rights law, or international
environmental law. Some programs incorporate required courses; some do not.
You can search for programs by area of interest in your LLM account.
How long does it take to earn an LLM degree?
Typically, the LLM is a one-year course of full-time study or two years of part-time
study. It can range from 22 to 28 or more credit hours.
What tests must applicants take in order to apply for an LLM program?
Many schools require applicants to submit an English proficiency exam
(TOEFL/IELTS) score if English is not the applicant's native language.
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is not required for admission to LLM
programs in the United States.
What are the degree requirements for applying to an LLM program?
A first degree in law is required for admission to LLM programs. US-educated
applicants must have a JD degree before applying. Internationally educated
applicants must have a first degree in law from their country of origin.
Do all law schools offer LLM programs?
Not all law schools offer LLM programs, and some schools offer programs for
domestic students only. Check with individual law schools for information about
policies affecting students from countries outside the United States.

Can internationally educated applicants with an LLM degree take the bar exam?
Many US states limit the eligibility of LLM-degree graduates to sit for the bar
examination if their first degree in law was earned outside of the United States.
Each of the 50 US states sets its own criteria for bar admission. International
lawyers are responsible for contacting the appropriate state's board of law
examiners directly to obtain specific information. The website of the National
Conference of Bar Examinerslinks to an alphabetical listing by state of US bar
admission offices.
Is financial assistance available for international students pursuing an LLM degree in
the United States?
Non-US citizens are not eligible for federal or state funding for study in the United
States. However, some law schools may offer full or partial scholarships to
international students, and some universities may offer graduate teaching
assistantships. Check each school's website for more information.
International students are advised to contact various employers, government
agencies, foundations, and organizations within their own country to inquire
whether any scholarship or grant aid is available for studying outside of their
country.
Degrees Other Than a JD and Bar Admission
In order to obtain a license to practice law in the United States, all candidates must
apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners. Although this
board is ordinarily an agency of the highest court in the jurisdiction, occasionally
the board is connected to the state's bar association. The criteria for eligibility to
take the bar examination or to otherwise qualify for bar admission are set by each
state, not by the ABA or the Council of the Section of Legal Education and
Admissions to the Bar.
In order to sit for the bar examination, most states require an applicant to hold a
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school that meets established educational
standards. A JD earned at an ABA-approved law school meets the educational
requirements in every jurisdiction in the United States. For those individuals who
have not earned a JD degree from an ABA-approved law school, bar admission
authorities have developed varying requirements and criteria to ascertain if such
individuals meet the minimum educational requirements for bar admission. In most
jurisdictions, individuals who lack such a JD will find that they do not satisfy the
minimum educational requirements for bar admission and are ineligible to take the
bar exam. In some of the remaining states, graduates of foreign law schools will
find that additional schooling such as an LLM is required, and a few others
recognize with regularity the sufficiency of a specific foreign legal education. A
number offer an alternative licensure mechanism known as a Foreign Legal
Consultant, which is a limited license to practice. And finally, some jurisdictions will
allow individuals to be eligible for admission without examination under certain
conditions if they have been admitted to the bar in another US jurisdiction.
In the past few years, there has been a large increase in the number of graduates
from schools located outside the United States enrolled in advanced degree
programs (such as the LLM). Upon graduating, many of these individuals return to

their home country without seeking or obtaining bar licensure in the United States.
However, an increasing number of these individuals seek to be admitted to a state
bar.
Unlike the JD degree bestowed by an ABA-approved law school, which carries the
indicia that the holder of that degree has completed a course of study imparting
standards entitling him or her to engage in the practice of law, advanced degree
programs at ABA-approved law schools are not regulated, and thus, not
"approved." As a result, such degrees vary in content and rigor. In other words, the
American Bar Association does NOT accredit degrees of any kind other than the
JD.
It is the position of the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to
the Bar of the American Bar Association that no graduate degree in law (LLM,
MCL, SJD, etc.) is or should be a substitute for the first professional degree in law
(JD), and that no graduate degree should substitute for the JD in order to meet the
legal education requirements for admission to the bar.
As a result of the variance in state bar admission rules, the ABA strongly
encourages individuals to contact the state board of bar examiners in the state(s)
in which they are interested in being admitted to ascertain its requirements to sit for
the bar examination. Contact information for all the state board of bar examiners is
available at Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and in
the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements (PDF).
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Most law schools will ask applicants for whom English is not their native language to take a
standardized test such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS). It is your responsibility to identify which of the schools of
interest to you require this test. Each school sets its own standard for required minimal scores on
the tests. LSAC will accept score reports for either TOEFL or IELTS exams. LSAC will include your
score(s) in your LLM credential evaluation upon receipt of an official score report from the testing
service. It is your responsibility to learn from each law school of interest to you how old a score may
be to remain acceptable.
LSAC has arranged with ETS to receive your TOEFL score(s) electronically. This is only possible if
and when you supply ETS with LSAC's institution code, 8395, at the time you place your order for a
copy of the score report to be sent to LSAC. You may be asked to choose a department code as
well. Any department code will do, regardless of the corresponding department name, as long as
you use institution code 8395.
LSAC has also arranged with IELTS to receive scores electronically. LSAC only accepts scores
submitted for electronic download. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted. An institutional
code is NOT required. Please contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS and request
that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS centers worldwide are
able to send scores electronically to our institution.
LSAC cannot accept paper copies of score reports from applicants. Law schools participating in
LLM CAS will accept your results as part of your LLM law school report, so there is no need to have
additional copies sent to the participating law schools.
It is important that you enter your test information on the English Proficiency page of your online
account. We are unable to process IELTS scores without this information; also, TOEFL scores are
matched to your account more quickly when we have this information.
Once LSAC receives a TOEFL or IELTS score, it cannot be deleted or replaced. There are no
exceptions. If we already have a score on file for you, and you take the test again and have the new
score sent to us, we will include both scores in your law school report. The new score will not

replace the previous score, no matter how long ago the previous score was reported. LSAC will
include on your law school report all English proficiency scores we receive.
If we receive your TOEFL or IELTS score(s) after your law school report has been completed
and/or released to a participating law school, we will update your report to reflect your
TOEFL/IELTS results free of charge. The updated report will automatically be forwarded to the
school(s) that previously received your report.

Estudios en Derecho en los Estados

Unidos
Resumen:
En los Estados Unidos, el estudio formal en derecho solo est disponible a nivel de postgrado. Para
asistir a una universidad de leyes en los Estados Unidos, el estudiante debe de tener por lo menos
un ttulo universitario. Por lo tanto, los estudiantes con un nivel A o Scottish Highers no pueden
ingresar a una universidad en derecho en los Estados Unidos sin antes haber obtenido un ttulo
universitario. Las universidades pueden ofrecer licenciaturas en campos relacionados al estudio de
derecho (ej. Licenciatura en Humanidades con especialidad en Leyes y Sociedad) o carrera de prederecho, pero dichas licenciaturas no son suficientes para ejercer la abogaca en los Estados Unidos
o en el Reino Unido.

Ttulos que se ofrecen:

Los ttulos en derecho ms comunes que ofrecen las escuelas de derecho en los Estados Unidos son
el Doctorado en Derecho (JD) y la Maestra en derecho (LLM). El ttulo profesional de Doctorado en
Derecho es para aquellos quienes desean ejercer la abogaca (o trabajar dentro del campo legal) en
los Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto, los programas JD se enfocan principalmente en Derecho
Estadounidense. El ttulo LLM generalmente es para los abogados colegiados que desean seguir
estudiando en un rea o campo en particular del derecho. Por favor tenga en cuenta que para ejercer
la carrera de leyes en los Estados Unidos, primero debe de pasar el examen profesional y estar
facultado legalmente para trabajar en los Estados Unidos.
Los ttulos que se otorgan a nivel doctorado son Doctor en Ciencias Jurdicas (SJD o JSD, por sus
siglas en ingls) y Doctor en Estudios de Derecho Comparado (DCL, por sus siglas en ingls). Estos
son los ttulos en derecho ms avanzados y por lo general estn previstos para aquellos que aspiran
a una carrera acadmica en el campo legal.
La mayora de las escuelas de derecho tambin ofrecen la opcin de doble titulacin en varias
disciplinas. Los ttulos ms comunes son JD/MBA o un JD/MA o JD/MSc en campos tales como
relaciones internacionales en economa, orden pblico o ciencias polticas. La doble titulacin le
tomar ms tiempo en terminar que el ttulo JD solo debido a los requisitos adicionales de
titulacin, pero menos que si toma las dos licenciaturas por separado.

Estructura del Programa JD:

El primer ao de estudio est relativamente estructurado con mdulos obligatorios como
procedimiento civil, leyes constitucionales, contratos, derecho y procesos penales, mtodo legal,
redaccin legal, derecho de propiedad y ley de lesiones personales. El primer ao tambin puede
incluir juicios simulados en donde los estudiantes pueden discutir casos uno contra el otro.
Durante el segundo y tercer ao de estudio, los cursos pueden incluir evidencias, litigios civiles,
impuestos, testamentos y fideicomisos, derecho administrativo, corporativo comercial, familiar,
ambiental e internacional. Aunque el diseo de JD no permite mucha especializacin, los
estudiantes tienen ms libertad durante los ltimos dos aos para elegir cursos optativos en su
campo de inters.
Con frecuencia existe la posibilidad de obtener habilidades profesionales despus del primer ao a
travs de cursos clnicos o pasantas externas, permitindoles a los estudiantes trabajar con clientes
reales o simulados. Estas oportunidades varan de una escuela de leyes a otra, pero por lo general
son en forma de clnicas reales en el lugar de trabajo que tratan con casos de menor importancia,
puestos laborales externos en un despacho de abogados o en una agencia pblica o un curso en
trabajo clnico simulado. Los estudiantes obtienen experiencia profesional realizando prcticas
laborales o pasantas durante el verano.

Estructura del Programa LLM:

Los programas de titulacin LLM se pueden adaptar individualmente para satisfacer los intereses
de los candidatos y generalmente requieren de una tesis o de un componente de investigacin
independiente. Los programas LLM por lo regular constan de un ao y pueden ofrecer
concentraciones en campos especficos como impuestos, leyes internacionales y ley comparada.
Algunas de las escuelas de leyes tambin ofrecen programas LLM como Ley Comparada de los
EE.UU. o Estudios de Derecho diseados para proporcionarles a los licenciados en derecho
extranjeros una perspectiva del sistema legal de los Estados Unidos.

Eligiendo una Escuela de Leyes:

Para poder ejercer como abogado en los EE.UU., muchos estados requieren que el candidato posee
un ttulo JD de una escuela de leyes que haya sido aprobada por el Colegio de Abogados de los
Estados Unidos (ABA, por sus siglas en ingls). El Consejo del ABA de la Seccin de Educacin
Legal y Admisiones a la Barra es reconocido por el Departamento de Educacin de EE.UU., como la
agencia de acreditacin para los programas profesionales JD. El Colegio de Abogados de los Estados
Unidos no acredita los programas profesionales JD. Las escuelas de leyes no acreditadas por ABA
solo califica a los asistentes para practicar en el estado en donde se encuentra ubicada la escuela;
por consiguiente, los licenciados de escuelas no acreditadas por ABA frecuentemente tienen
dificultad para obtener su licencia para ejercer la abogaca en otros estados. La lista de escuelas
aprobadas por ABA se encuentra en: http://oficialguide.Isac.org
Si usted planea ejercer la abogaca en los Estados Unidos, asistir a una escuela reconocida con una
reputacin acadmica slida y un alto nivel de prestigio puede hacer la diferencia en su currculum

al solicitar un empleo. Adems, ser parte de la red de egresados de una escuela en particular, le
puede proporcionar oportunidades de creacin de redes conforme avance en su carrera. Por lo
tanto, al elegir una escuela de leyes y en particular, un programa JD, los estudiantes deben de
investigar cuidadosamente la reputacin acadmica de la institucin y consultar las clasificaciones
como US News y World News.
Al elegir un programa de leyes, los futuros estudiantes debern considerar las oportunidades para
especializarse en reas legales especficas. Los sitios web de las escuelas de leyes deben describir
detalladamente el plan de estudios del programa JD o LLM. Para los estudiantes JD, es importante
elegir una escuela en el estado en que desee tomar el examen de la barra y ejercer la abogaca.
Al elegir un programa de leyes, tambin es recomendable sopesar factores tales como el tamao del
grupo, entorno, ubicacin, financiamiento, descritos en el Estudio de Postgrado Eligiendo un
Programa de Titulacin de Postgrado en el sitio web www.fulbright.co.uk

Solicitud de admisin de las escuelas de leyes en los EE.UU.:

La admisin a las escuelas de leyes en Estados Unidos es extremadamente competitiva,
especialmente para los solicitantes extranjeros. El criterio de admisin incluye:

Cursos de pregrado y postgrado (segn aplique)

La puntuacin del Examen de Admisin a la Escuela de Leyes (LSAT, por sus siglas en
ingls) para el solicitante JD

2 3 cartas de recomendacin

Declaracin de Intenciones

Currculum y/o muestras de redaccin de un texto para algunas escuelas se tomaran en

cuenta las actividades extracurriculares y experiencia laboral previa durante el periodo de
admisin.

Entrevista para algunas escuelas

Arreglos financieros (es probable que se les pregunte a los solicitantes que proporcionen
informacin acerca de cmo planean financiar su educacin legal)

En cuestin de cursos previos, los programas JD no requieren que los solicitantes realicen una
licenciatura en un tema en particular o que hayan tomado cursos especficos. En lugar, hacen
nfasis en la importancia de una educacin estricta e integral con experiencia en diferentes
disciplinas.
Los estudiantes deben elegir una especializacin de pregrado de acuerdo a sus intereses; es posible
adquirir el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para ser admitidos en un programa de leyes a
la vez que se especializan en un tema no relacionado. Sin embargo, para tener xito en una escuela
de leyes, usted desear desarrollar habilidades como el pensamiento crtico, resolucin de
problemas, lectura analtica, comunicacin verbal y escrita y habilidades generales de investigacin.
Los futuros candidatos a la escuela de leyes tambin querrn obtener un entendimiento bsico en

ciertos temas, como historia de los Estados Unidos, teora poltica, tica, y teoras de justicia,
economa, comportamiento humano y relaciones internacionales.
Por favor tenga en cuenta que algunos programas LLM solo admitirn a los solicitantes
internacionales que ya hayan obtenido una licenciatura en leyes y que estn calificados para ejercer
en su pas de origen. Otras universidades de los EE.UU., no requerirn una licenciatura en leyes
siempre y cuando el solicitante est calificado para ejercer en un pas con derecho comn y, en
algunos casos, posee algunos aos de experiencia laboral. Los requerimientos de admisin debern
estar fcilmente disponibles en los sitios web de la escuela de leyes.
Tambin es importante que los solicitantes JD estn enterado qu los oficiales de admisiones
clasifican LSAT entre los tres principales factores. Los estudiantes debern tomar el LSAT en la
primavera de su penltimo ao de estudios de pregrado. Tambin es importante considerar que los
solicitantes LLM pueden requerir el examen GRE, el cual representar un role ligeramente menor
en la seleccin que el LSAT para los solicitantes JD.

Reuniendo los requisitos para ejercer leyes en los Estados Unidos:

Para poder ejercer como abogado en los Estados Unidos, adems de estar facultado legalmente para
trabajar en los Estados Unidos, uno primero debe de ser admitido a la barra de abogados de un
estado en particular. Esto involucra pasar el examen de la barra en el estado y cualquier otro
examen requerido por los examinadores estatales de la barra. Muchos estados solo permiten que un
estudiante tome el examen si la escuela de leyes donde obtuvo su grado JD ha sido aprobado por
ABA. Los estudiantes que han terminado un LLM pueden calificar para tomar el examen de la barra
en New Hampshire, Nueva York, Virginia, Carolina del Norte y California. El criterio para ser
elegible para tomar el examen de la barra o de otra manera calificar para ser admitido en la barra es
establecido por la asociacin estatal de la barra. Pngase en contacto con la asociacin del estado al
que usted pretenda ejercer la abogaca para obtener informacin acerca de las fechas de examen y
sitios. Puede encontrar un listado de las asociaciones estatales de la barra en el sitio web de ABA en
http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html
Adems del examen estatal de la barra, 47 estados tambin requieren el Examen Multiestatal de la
Barra (MBE, por sus siglas en ingls) y el Examen Multi-estatal de Responsabilidad Profesional
(MPRE, por sus siglas en ingls). Otros exmenes multi-estatales incluyen (Examen de Ensayo
Estatal (MEE, por sus siglas en ingls) y el Examen de Desempeo Multi-estatal (MPT, por sus
siglas en ingls). El proceso para obtener la licencia tambin incluye la evaluacin del carcter y
capacidad del solicitante para involucrarse en el ejercicio legal.
Es importante que est enterado que ni el grado JD, ni pasar el examen estatal de la barra lo faculta
para trabajar en los Estados Unidos (Al solicitar la visa de estudiante, un estudiante debe de
demostrar que tiene la intencin de regresar a su pas de origen despus de terminar su titulacin).
Georgetown? Harvard? Oxford? Qu programa LL.M podra estudiar? Estudia el programa que
t

elijas!

O quizs ests pensando en solicitar un programa JD? Descubre cmo Ivy Admissions

puede ayudarte a preparar una excelente solicitud sin necesidad de estresarte, y acceder al
programa LL.M o JD de tus sueos.
Ivy Admissions puede ayudarte a travs de nuestro exclusivo sistema de asesora en cuatro
fases, diseado para servirte de apoyo en cada uno de los pasos del proceso de admisin.
Desde la eleccin del programa que mejor se ajusta a tu perfil y expectativas, hasta el envo de
los resultado de LSAT y TOEFL, la redaccin de un gran application essay, y el mximo
aprovechamiento de tus recomendaciones, Ivy Admissions puede situarte en la direccin
correcta hacia la universidad de tus sueos.
El proceso de admisin no tiene por qu ser insuperable si los planeas con tiempo. Ivy
Admissions puede ayudarte a hacerlo desde el principio hasta el final.

Fechas Importantes a tener en cuenta en el proceso de admisin.

Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre los exmenes de acceso y cmo prepararlos.

Dnde puedes encontrar los mejores libros.

LL.M vs. JD: Cul es la diferencia y cul es mejor para ti?

Conoce ms acerca de nuestro sistema de asesora en cuatro fases.

Nuestros asesores acadmicos estn a tu disposicin para ofrecerte ms informacin. Tambin
puedes acceder a ella a travs de nuestra pgina web de servicio integral para clientes,
disponible en exclusiva para clientes de nuestro servicio de Asesora Acadmica Ivy
Admissions. Contacta con nosotros o regstrate para conocer ms a fondo nuestro servicio.

LL.M vs. JD

Antes de solicitar la admisin a cualquier facultad de derecho, es importante saber qu

requisitos acadmicos necesitas. La mayora de los solicitantes internacionales han completado
la carrera de Derecho, y por tanto pueden ser candidatos a un programa LL.M.
Ivy Admissions puede ayudarte a clarificar esta decisin, y nuestros asesores acadmicos
cuentan con amplia informacin y experiencia para trabajar en tu solicitud y conseguir tu
objetivo, ya sea un LL.M, JD o cualquier otra opcin.
El LL.M es un programa de postgrado en leyes reconocido internacionalmente, y que se obtiene
tras haber completado un programa acadmico de normalmente un ao. En el mbito jurdico, es
el equivalente a un MBA. Muchas firmas de abogados se inclinan a seleccionar candidatos que
posean este ttulo, ya que indica que se trata de abogados con una slida formacin jurdica y
capaces de desenvolverse en un entorno legal internacional. Muchas facultades de Derecho
podran considerar admitir a estudiantes de postgrado que hayan obtenido el equivalente al JD
fuera de los Estados Unidos, aunque algunos programas especializados en el sistema legal
americano no. Muchas otras facultades requieren un conocimiento del sistema que est basado
en el English common law, tambin conocido como derecho civil. En los Estados Unidos, los
programas de postgrado en leyes constituyen diferentes variaciones de LL.M, M.C.L y S. J. D.
No existe la licenciatura de Derecho en los Estados Unidos, por tanto, ningn estudiante puede
esperar estudiar Derecho sin haber completado una licenciatura previamente. Los requisitos

bsicos de admisin para las facultades de derecho americanas son un ttulo de licenciado en
cualquier campo, y el examen de ingreso a la facultad de derecho LSAT (The Law School
Admisin Test). La Licenciatura en Derecho en los Estados Unidos se denomina the Juris Doctor
(JD), y requiere tres aos de estudio normalmente. El programa JD implica la realizacin de
cursos de derecho civil americano y derecho mercantil e internacional. Los estudiantes
extranjeros que estn considerando cursar el JD, deben tener en cuenta que este programa se
centra en la preparacin para la prctica jurdica en los Estados Unidos.

Exmenes de Acceso

La mayora de los programas de Derecho JD requieren la realizacin tanto del LSAT como del
TOEFL. Sin embargo, la mayora de los aspirantes a programas LLM que cuentan con experiencia
y formacin en el campo jurdico, estn exentos de realizar el LSAT, aunque en muchos casos el
TOEFL sigue siendo obligatorio. Ivy Admissions puede ayudarte a decidir qu exmenes
necesitas hacer y cules deberan ser tus objetivos de admisin en la universidad que elijas
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission
to all 202 law schools that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). It measures
reading and verbal reasoning skills to help law schools decide if a candidate is ready for a JD
program.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) mide la habilidad verbal de hablantes
no nativos de ingls para entender y comunicarse en ingls norteamericano en un contexto
acadmico a nivel universitario. Ms de 4.300 universidades, colleges, escuelas profesionales e
instituciones educativas requieren los resultados obtenidos en esta prueba.
Puedes obtener informacin ms detallada sobre cada uno de estos exmenes a travs de
nuestro equipo de Asesora Acadmica o a travs de nuestra pgina Web de servicio integral
para clientes, disponible en exclusiva para clientes de Ivy Admissions. Contacta con
nosotros o regstrate para conocer ms acerca de nuestro servicio.
Informarte sobre cmo Club Ivy / Hiedra Centers pueden prepararte para estos importantes
exmenes.