LL.M. Application for Fall and Spring: Apply online through LSAC.org

Application Deadlines:

• Enrollment in the fall semester (August): May 15
• Enrollment in the spring semester (January): November 15

Eligibility: Candidates to the LL.M. in American Law program must hold a first degree in law from a foreign institution. Visit the LSAC website on eligibility for guidance by country.

English Proficiency: Candidates whose native language is not English must demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency. Syracuse Law recommends a TOEFL score of 95+ or an IELTS score of 6.5+; and will consider additional factors when assessing English proficiency. Our TOEFL School Code is 2823 to have your electronic scores submitted to LSAC.

Apply Today: Submit an online application and the materials listed below in English through LSAC.org  There is no application fee collected by Syracuse Law. LSAC processing fees may apply.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• A 1-2 page statement discussing your intent to study at Syracuse
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Color Copy of Passport Face-Page
• Educational transcripts from your first degree in law

Candidates will be interviewed via Skype upon submission of a complete application. Please email llmadmissions@law.syr.edu with questions on your application or the admissions process. If educational transcripts need to be translated into English, you need to provide a “certified” translation.” A translator does not need to be “certified” or “sworn” in order to provide a “certified translation.” A certified translation is any translation performed by someone other than the candidate, accompanied by a signed statement attesting that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of the translator’s knowledge and ability. Any translator or translation company may “certify” a translation.​

Deferral Policy: Admitted candidates may defer admission up to one year (or two semesters) without the need to re-apply to the program.

Merit Scholarships: Syracuse Law may offer merit scholarships to select candidates. There is no separate scholarship application. Syracuse Law does not offer full tuition scholarships.

Student Loans: Candidates who are either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the U.S. are eligible to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in order to obtain Federal Direct Student Loans. Please contact our Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@law.syr.edu for more details.

Private Loans: Candidates may investigate private funding opportunities through outside sources.

Partnership Opportunities: Syracuse Law is a host institution to a variety of government and non-profit sponsoring organizations, including the Fulbright Program and the Organization of American States.

Outside Scholarship Opportunities:

• LLMstudy.com
• TOEFL Scholarship
• Iranian-American Bar Association Scholarship
• American Association of University Women – International Fellowships
• Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program
• Australian Federation of Women Scholarships & Fellowships
• DAAD Scholarships & Grants for German Students
• Golden Key Scholarships & Awards
  
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Graduate Women International
• Kosciuszcko Foundation Fellowships for Polish Citizens
• W.L. Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship
• Organization of Istanbul Armenians Scholarship
• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women
• Rotary Foundation Global Grants
  

Candidates who do not demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency may obtain conditional admission pending successful completion of an English program at Syracuse University’s English Language Institute (ELI). Upon arrival to ELI, candidates will take a placement test to determine level of proficiency. While in ELI, candidates may observe law lectures and join LL.M. program events as the schedules permit. 

Regardless of the level of English proficiency, all LL.M. candidates are strongly encouraged to attend our “Legal English” summer session.

The College of Law’s course offerings are divided primarily on a semester basis (Fall and Spring) constituting one full academic year. LL.M. students must complete 24 Law credits (minimum 12 credits per semester) in the academic year to qualify for graduation.

In the first semester, LL.M. students are required to enroll in three courses designed for the LL.M. program:
Students must also enroll in Professional Responsibility (3 credits) in either the Fall or Spring semester. Each student must fulfill the Writing Requirement in either semester by producing a 25-page (minimum) research paper that can be accomplished through one of our many seminar classes or by Independent Research credit.

• Introduction to American Legal Studies (3 credits);
• U.S. Legal Writing for LL.M. Students (2 credits); and
• the International LL.M. Skills Course (1 credit).

Our LL.M. students are encouraged to enroll in courses that satisfy their professional and academic interests. For a complete list of courses with descriptions, please review our Course Descriptions and Course Options by Subject.

Information about the student visa process can be found on the U.S. Visas website. Please allow sufficient time to obtain your LL.M. admissions letter and I-20 or DS-2019 student visa document when scheduling your interview with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

For students who expect to bring a dependent spouse and/or child(ren) to the United States, please also complete and submit Syracuse University’s Dependent Request Form.

Foreign-educated LL.M. applicants intending to sit for the New York State Bar Examination must complete the “Foreign Evaluation Form” and submit foreign education documentation to the New York State Board of Law Examiners (BOLE). You are strongly encouraged to submit the “Foreign Evaluation Form” and required documents before matriculation into the Syracuse Law. For more information, visit the BOLE website.

While the LL.M. program meets the academic requirements established by the BOLE, the determination of eligibility is made exclusively by the BOLE and it is the responsibility of each LL.M. candidate to ensure his/her academic record during the LL.M. program complies with the requirements and cure provisions articulated by the BOLE to sit for the exam.

ABA Standard 504 Statement: In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Syracuse Law offers a variety of opportunities to prepare students for the Bar Exam. Students may enroll in the ‘bar prep’ course: “Foundations for Attorney Licensing,” offered in the fall and spring semesters for 2 credits. This course provides an understanding of the bar review and bar exam processes, as well as the skills necessary to be successful in the licensing process. Also, students are encouraged to take advantage of our “Rock the Bar” program, which offers a series of authentic test prep study sessions throughout the academic year.

During the time between graduation from Syracuse Law and the bar exam, most students enroll in a private ‘bar prep’ course offered through companies such as BarBri, Pieper, Kaplan, Themis, and others. Note: Syracuse Law does not endorse any particular private test prep company.

​Watch the video below to hear about the LL.M. experience at Syracuse Law from some of our recent graduates from Saudi Arabia, Spain, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, Palestine, and South Sudan.