LL.M. Program in Elder Law

The LL.M. Program in Elder Law builds on the strengths of the KU School of Law's existing elder law curriculum by expanding course offerings and clinical opportunities, and incorporating a faculty-supervised thesis focused on an elder law topic. The objective of the program is to produce graduates who are both knowledgeable and proficient in the law that affects elder citizens.

The LL.M. Program in Elder Law was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in 2003 and began enrolling students in Spring 2005. Once admitted, candidates may begin the program in fall or spring or summer (if appropriate courses are offered). The program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis. Fall preferred.

Admissions/Applications

Applicants are directed to send completed applications to the attention of the program director. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Your application for the LL.M. Program in Elder Law will be complete upon receipt of the following:

• Completed application for admission
• $55 application fee
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the program
• Two letters of recommendation.
• A certified copy of your transcript from the institution which awarded (or will award) your J.D.

• a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• a minimum 2.5 GPA in J.D. course work (4.0 scale, potentially waivable if applicant has been out of law school more than 5 years)
• other criteria, including a demonstrated interest in elder law and the potential to complete the program successfully

Tuition

At this time, LL.M. candidates will be assessed costs, fees and tuition equal to those assessed J.D. students. A special fee or fees applied to graduate students may also be assessed.

The Curriculum

The requirements of the program are as follows.

• a total of 24 post-J.D. credit hours
• 12-14 post-J.D. credit hours of course work pursuant to an individualized plan
• 6 post-J.D. credit hours in the Elder Law Clinic
• 4-6 post-J.D. credit hours of work on a faculty-supervised thesis on an elder law topic

To earn the LL.M. in Elder Law, a candidate must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours with a GPA of 2.5 for those hours. The required curriculum includes a two semester elder law research project, a two semester clinical component, and a thesis.

In addition, the candidate will choose 10-12 credits of electives from the following courses. Other courses may be substituted with the approval of the Elder Law LL.M. Program Director (the Director) or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.