Law, LLM
for the degree of Master of Laws
The LL.M. and J.S.D. programs of graduate study in law are designed for foreign law graduates who wish to pursue advanced study and conduct independent research under the direction of the College of Law faculty. Two advanced degrees are conferred by the College of Law: the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree and the Doctor of Science of Law (J.S.D.). Overall coordination of the graduate program is the responsibility of the Office of Graduate and International Programs, and individual inquiries should be addressed to this office. The Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) is a one-year, nonprofessional, terminal degree program designed for those who have had no legal training and who do not desire a professional law degree.
Admission
The Graduate College admission requirements and English language proficiency requirements apply. In addition for the LL.M. program, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement is 80 internet-based. Students are not required to take the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students are admitted on an individual basis according to a review of their prior accomplishments with an emphasis on academic achievement. Admission is generally made for the fall semester only.
Financial Aid
Applicants to the College of Law graduate programs are welcome to apply for scholarship assistance. Scholarships typically are awarded to applicants with a combination of excellent academic and professional credentials and proven financial need. Awards usually provide part of tuition and do not cover living expenses. There are always more qualified applicants than there are funds available. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to explore alternative sources of funding.
for the degree of Master of Laws
Each Concentration offers a directed, optional program of study for LL.M. students in an increasingly important field of global legal practice. Each Concentration provides (1) specialized training in the Concentration field of law, (2) guidance to students in developing a program of study with the courses deemed most useful and relevant to the Concentration, and (3) a Concentration designation on their transcripts that will better allow them to market their expertise, thus gaining a competitive advantage in the legal employment market. In some instances, a Dual Concentration (i.e., in Intellectual Property and Justice, Democracy and Legal Rights) is available to eligible students. Eligible students must apply to pursue the Dual Concentration and may stay in residence an additional semester so that the 14-credit requirements of the second Concentration can be independently met. In the case of the Dual Concentration, credits used to satisfy one Concentration cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for a second Concentration. Students interested in remaining in residence for a third semester to complete their program of study must apply by the listed deadline at the start of the second semester of the LL.M. degree. The Concentrations require students to complete a minimum of fourteen credit hours in topics integral to each Concentration. Courses taken toward a Concentration will count toward the student’s LL.M. degree, and must be selected with the program advisor.
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree is designed to prepare students with or without any prior legal training to enhance their professional development by adding familiarity with U.S law. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent degree) from an approved school listed on the International Association of Universities List of Higher education Institutions. Full consideration for admission to the LL.M. program will be given to applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in law or a bachelor’s degree in a subject outside law.
The LL.M. degree requires the completion of at least 32 graduate hours of credit and is normally completed in one academic year. All candidates are required to pass Professional Responsibility (LAW 501), a four hour graduate course and LL.M. Legal Research and Writing (LAW 500) a two hour graduate course. The remaining graduate hours are selected from any College of Law course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 500 | LLM Legal Writing and Research | 2 |
| LAW 501 | Professional Responsibility | 3 or 4 |
| Electives selected from any College of Law course in consultation with the advisor. | 26-27 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Minimum 500-level (or higher) Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| A concentration is not required. | |
| One academic year in residence | |
| Minimum GPA: | 2.75 |
for the degree of Master of Laws
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of American substantive and procedural law. This requires:
- The foundational rules governing liability for civil and criminal wrong doing.
- The foundational rules that regulate the transaction of business among individuals and the ownership of property.
- The constitutional rules that shape the American legal system.
- The procedural rules that govern court adjudication.
- Several advanced areas of substantive or procedural law or both.
- Use legal reasoning and legal analysis in advising and representing clients. This requires:
- The ability to identify, formulate, and apply legal rules.
- The ability to read and analyze judicial opinions.
- The ability to parse and interpret statutes, regulations, contracts, and other similar legal texts.
- The ability to construct legal arguments and evaluate critically one’s own and others’ legal arguments.
- The ability to identify and evaluate the practical consequences of various legal rules and to formulate policy arguments for and against those rules.
- Bring practical legal skills to bear in resolving clients’ legal problems. This requires:
- The ability to write clearly and effectively in a wide range of legal contexts and for various audiences, such as courts, clients, opposing counsel and academics.
- The ability to articulate one’s thoughts verbally in a clear and effective manner.
- Knowledge of and ability to use tools of legal research.
- The ability to identify and gather factual information relevant to the application of legal rules.
- The ability to work collaboratively with others, including others with opposing interests.
- Knowledge and understanding of practical aspects of the legal profession and market for legal services.
- Conduct himself or herself professionally and in keeping with the highest standards of civic virtue. This requires:
- Knowledge and appreciation of the ethical rules governing legal practice.
- The ability to learn and grow professionally through self-reflection and continuing education.
- An understanding of the lawyer’s distinctive role in society and of the lawyer’s concomitant responsibility to contribute to society through public service and pro bono representation.
- The ability to understand and be understood across various social, economic, cultural, political, national, racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
Graduate Degree Programs in the College of Law
for the degree of Master of Laws
College of Law
Dean of the College: Vikram David Amar
Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs: Margareth Etienne
Correspondence and Admission Information: Kelly Salefski, Office of Graduate and International Legal Studies
College of Law website
College of Law faculty
244 Law Building, 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-6066
Law email