LL.M. in American Legal Studies

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program in American Legal Studies is a one-year degree program of 24 credits for candidates seeking a U.S. law degree. It is designed for attorneys, judges, government officials, prosecutors, corporate legal counsel, bankers, and recent law graduates who have received their basic law degree outside the United States.

 

An LL.M. in American Legal Studies will appeal to foreign law graduates who wish to obtain comprehensive training in American legal practice and eventually use this training to find a job in the many competitive U.S. law firms operating in foreign countries. With an LL.M. in American Legal Studies, foreign law graduates know that they will be more attractive to the high paying U.S. law firms operating and recruiting abroad.

 

 

Course Details

 

These LL.M. students will be introduced to the U.S. legal system and, with advice from our faculty advisors and staff, they will be allowed to choose their own course of study from the extensive law course offerings at TJSL.  For more detailed information about our curriculum, please visit our lists of required and elective courses.

 

Foreign law graduates at Thomas Jefferson will study together with J.D. students in order to promote a truly international and cultural exchange. Immersion into the rich J.D. curriculum and a low faculty to student ratio at Thomas Jefferson will prepare the foreign law graduates taking an LL.M. in American Legal Studies to deal effectively with U.S. attorneys in their home countries as well as those serving foreign governments and international organizations. The LL.M. students at Thomas Jefferson can expect to receive more personal attention than they would normally receive in another U.S. law school.

 

 

Bar Eligibility

 

Every LL.M. student who has completed a minimum of 20 credits may be eligible for admission to practice law in some states like New York, after successful performance on the New York State Bar examination. Students wishing to take the California bar examination must fulfill certain specific requirements including but not limited to taking four doctrinal courses and Professional Responsibility as well as being subject to the same grading standards as the J.D. students.

 

 

 

Program Dates

 

 

Start date

End date

Fall 2013

August 12, 2013

December 18, 2013

Spring 2014

January 6, 2014

May 15, 2014

 

 

Reserve your seat: Apply Now

 

 

Fees/Tuition

  1. Application - $50

     

  2. Transcript Evaluation: Student must send foreign transcript to 3rd party credential evaluation company

     

    1. Law School Admission Council - $160

       

    2. World Educations Services - $160

       

  3. Seat Deposit - $400

     

  4. Tuition

     

    1. Fall 2013 - $18,000 (12 units @ $1500 per unit)

       

    2. Spring 2014 - $18,000 (estimate for 12 units @ $1500 per unit)

       

  5. Living expenses - $15,750

     

    1. Rent - $12,600 ($1,400 x 9)

       

    2. Food - $3,150 ($350 x 9)

       

  6. Medial Insurance - $1,930 (this is mandatory, unless a student can show that they have insurance that covers them while in San Diego)

     

  7. Books - $1,200

     

  8. Transportation - $3,150  ($350 x 9)

     

  9. Miscellaneous - $3,600  ($400 x 9)

     

  10. Parking - $2,650