LL.M. in American Legal Studies
The LL.M. in American Legal Studies provides students who already hold a law degree with an introduction to the breadth of American law. Students who complete the LL.M. are ready for the further study of law in the United States, select bar examinations, and the practice of law internationally.
KU Law offers the most affordable international LL.M. program among Top 100 U.S. law schools.
Candidates must hold a basic law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) from an accredited foreign college or university, or a J.D. from an accredited American law school.
For a complete description of our International and Comparative Law Program, browse our multilingual brochure.
How to Apply
Students applying for admission to the LL.M. program should submit the following after registering with the Credential Assembly Service at www.lsac.org:
☐ Completed online application by May 1, 2012 deadline
☐ To apply for the LL.M. in American Legal Studies, please fill out the KU LL.M. online application at www.lsac.org.
☐ Include official transcripts from all undergraduate and law school programs attended.
☐ Include at least two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to pursue advanced graduate work.
☐ Proof of English proficiency
Proficiency should be at a level adequate to start and complete the program. Foreign students who speak English as a first language or who obtained a law degree at an institution with instruction in English need no further proof of proficiency. For all other students, proof consists of a satisfactory score on the TOEFL. Students should score at least 600 on the paper-based TOEFL, with at least 60 in each subscore, or 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, with at least 25 in each subscore. LSAC's TOEFL code for the CAS is 0058.
☐ $55 application fee
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required for admission to the LL.M. Program. Upon admissions, you will be required to submit financial documents verifying that you have savings to cover the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, living expenses and mandatory health insurance) for the academic year in which you will be enrolling. You will be required to submit these documents before an I-20 form will be mailed to you.
Curriculum
The KU Law LL.M. in American Legal Studies will prepare you to take the New York Bar Examination. The curriculum, tied to the requirements set by the New York Bar Examiners, consists of the following:
| COURSE REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|
| Students must complete three of the following courses: | |
| Professional Responsibility | 2 credits (fall or spring semester) |
| Lawyering Skills I | 2 credits (fall semester) |
| Introduction to Constitutional Law | 4 credits |
| Students must complete a minimum of 6 credits from the following menu of courses: | |
| Business Organizations or Business Associations I and/or II | 4 credits; 3 credits |
| Conflict of Laws | 2-3 credits |
| Contracts | 4 credits |
| Criminal Law | 4 credits |
| Criminal Procedure | 3 credits |
| Evidence | 3 credits |
| Family Law | 2-3 credits |
| Property | 4 credits |
| Torts | 4 credits |
| Estates and Trusts | 3-4 credits |
| Commercial Law: Payments Systems | 3 credits |
| Commercial Law: Secured Transactions | 3 credits |
| Electives | |
| Students may take 10 credit hours in any course offered by KU Law, subject to relevant prerequisites | |
Students seeking a more specialized curriculum may request approval from the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law to waive one or more course requirements.
2011-12 Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for the 2011-12 academic year are $23,857.10.
Students pay tuition on a per-credit basis. All LL.M. students must complete 24 credit hours in classroom courses. Students may also enroll in a maximum of 6 additional credits beyond the required 24 credits.