Students in the LL.M. program may now choose to pursue an extended 3-semester option to complete the degree. We continue to offer students our traditional 2-semester program option. Read our Frequently Asked Questions to determine which option is best for you. 

Two Ways to Apply:

• Apply online through the College of Law website; or 

• Submit your LL.M. Application through LSAC.org
  

*There is no application fee collected by Syracuse Law. 

Application Deadlines:

• Enrollment in the fall semester (August): May 15
• Enrollment in the spring semester (January): December 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 90+ or an IELTS score of 6.0+; and will consider additional factors when assessing English proficiency. Our TOEFL School Code is 2823 to have your electronic scores submitted to LSAC.

Interviews: 

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. 

Check the Status of Your Application:

Check the status of your recently-submitted application.

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.

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.

Courses are offered mainly in the Fall (August - December) and Spring (January - May) semester. A few courses are offered in the summer. LL.M. students must complete 24 Law credits to qualify for graduation.

In the first semester, LL.M. students are required to enroll two courses specifically designed for the LL.M. program: Introduction to the American Legal System (3 credits) and Legal Writing for LL.M. Students (3 credits). Before the end of the program, students must fulfill the Writing Requirement by producing a research paper with a minimum of 25 pages. The Writing Requirement can be completed as part of a course assignment for which the student also receives a grade or through an Independent Study directed by a member of the College of Law faculty.

Our LL.M. students are encouraged to enroll in any 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. Students seeking to take a bar examination must comply with other requirements. See information on the bar exam described below.  

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[PDF].

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.

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.

Skilled Competency Requirement: Section 520.18 to the Rules for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors at Law (22 NYCRR 520.18) states that applicants seeking admission in New York must establish that they have acquired skills and professional values necessary to competently practice law. Answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” about this requirement can be found online[PDF]. Applicants enrolled in the Syracuse Law LL.M. Program may be able to satisfy the requirements of Pathway 2 (completion of 15 credits of practice-based experiential coursework). This option is viable for LL.M. students pursuing the extended 3-semester degree program. It is more likely that LL.M. students can satisfy this requirement through Pathway 4 (one continuous 6-month apprenticeship) or Pathway 5  (one year of full-time practice, or two years of part-time practice in another jurisdiction) described in section 520.18. Applicants  Read more about the Skills Competency Requirement on the New York BOLE website. 

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.

The students enrolled in our LL.M. program are practicing lawyers, academics, and judges. We have hosted foreign lawyers from over 40 countries to pursue studies in human rights and comparative disability law, technology commercialization, corporate law, to prepare for the New York Bar Exam, and many other specializations. Elective courses are taken alongside students in our J.D. program. 

Outside the classroom, LL.M. students take part in our Job Shadow Program, the International Scholar Lecture Series, over 30 student-led organizations and affinity groups, and many of professional development programs and opportunities. Student are supported by a team of LL.M. Student Mentors, an LL.M. Faculty Adviser, College of Law faculty, and program administration. 

Our home, Dineen Hall, is newly-built and provides a welcoming environment to pursue a rigorous academic program. The College of Law is located on the main campus of Syracuse University - ranked #60 in the United States with an R1 designation on the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions.

We encourage interested candidates to enjoy these videos and learn more about our law school, Dineen Hall, Syracuse University, and the City of Syracuse.

We know that you probably have a lot of questions about coming to Syracuse University College of Law, and we're dedicated to making sure you have all the information you need. To receive additional information regarding the L.L.M program, complete our prospective inquiry form today.