Guide to Study LLM in the USA

An LLM in the USA is 9 months to a 1-year course offered in various specialized fields like taxation, commercial law, social justice, human rights, environmental law, criminology, and others. It is offered as a residential program in most universities in the USA and also as a distance-learning course in certain universities. 

International students are required to have a 3-year bachelor’s degree in law to apply for LLM in the United States. LLM programs in the USA are offered in over 200 universities and costs between 12,000 USD and 70,000 USD. The USA has some of the biggest and best law schools in the world offering both undergraduate and graduate law programs to international students. LLM programs in the USA expose students to learn more about American law which is useful not only in the USA but also around the world. More details about LLM in the USA such as the eligibility criteria, application process, costs, etc are discussed.

Table of Contents

• Top Universities for LLM in the USA
• Why Study LLM in the USA?
• Popular LLM Courses in the USA
• Admission Process for LLM in the USA
• How to Apply for LLM in the USA?
• Eligibility Criteria for LLM in the USA for International Students
• Documents Required to Apply for LLM in the USA
• English Proficiency Requirements for International Students
• Cost of Studying LLM in the USA
• Tuition Cost for LLM in the USA
• Cost of Living in the USA for International Students
• Scholarships for LLM in the USA
• USA Visa Requirements for International Students
• Job Opportunities for LLM Graduates in the USA

Top Universities for LLM in the USA

The USA has some of the best law schools in the world based on rankings, employment data, curriculum, and other factors. These universities offer LLM courses in various specializations such as taxation, corporate law, competition, innovation and information law, and more. Listed below are the top universities for LLM in the USA for Indian students according to the QS Rankings:

1. Harvard University
2. Yale University
3. Stanford University
4. University of California, Berkeley
5. New York University (NYU)
6. University of Chicago
7. Georgetown University
8. The University of California, Los Angeles
9. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
10. University of Columbia

Why Study LLM in the USA?

LLM, also known as Legum Magister derived from Latin literally means Master of Law. This one-year program introduces students to the US Legal System and prepares them for a high-level career in an international law firm, multinational company, or governmental organization. Some reasons to pursue LLM programs in the USA are listed below:

• LLM graduates in the USA can expect an entry-level salary in legal firms ranging between 58,000 USD and 70,000 USD
• Students with an LLM in the USA have lucrative career opportunities like Diplomat or Policy Advisor and can learn to negotiate treaties and maintain international relations
• As per the report by American Bar Association (ABA), there is a steady increase in the number of active lawyers in the USA
• Legal studies in the USA focus on the Socratic method of teaching which in turn develops their augmentative dialogue skills
• Students get an opportunity to work on pro bono cases throughout their academic period due to high requirements in American legal clinics
• Legal firms in the USA have a diverse community where international students can practice law without any discrimination

Popular LLM Courses in the USA

Students pursuing LLM in the USA are required to complete at least 24 units which include approximately 18 units of academic courses. The remaining units can be completed by attending seminars or submitting a project as required by the university. Given below are some of the popular LLM programs in the USA for international students:

Fundamentals of US Law	Social Justice and Human Rights
Criminal Justice	Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Constitutional Law, Regulations and Public Policy	Legal History and Legal Theory
Legal Research & Writing	Corporate Governance & Practise

Admission Process for LLM in the USA

Students enrolled in LLM courses in the USA are provided with various opportunities to work as pro bono during the course of their studies and get acquainted with the legal issues. Applicants should have a JD, LLB, or bachelor’s degree in law to get admission to an LLM degree at top law schools in the USA. International students are additionally required to prove English proficiency along with the general admission requirements.

The admission criteria for LLM in the USA are highly competitive. Students are accessed based on their grades and rank in their law and other university studies, letters of recommendation, occupational interests, professional and personal accomplishments, and other factors. Applicants with relevant work experience are preferred as they are able to submit stronger applications and are more decisive about the courses and research topics. 

How to Apply for LLM in the USA?

Most law schools in the USA have their own portal for accepting applications. All students are required to send their academic transcripts to LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) for evaluation. This should be done at least 3-5 weeks before the application deadline so that the agency can complete the evaluation on time and forward it to the respective American university. All other supporting documents should be directly sent to the university’s address via post or mail.

The application deadline for LLM in the USA for most universities is in December. There are certain universities that offer rolling admissions to eligible applicants. Most law schools in the USA do not accept applications from students who already have an LLM degree from another law school in the United States.

Eligibility Criteria for LLM in the USA for International Students

All students applying for admission to LLM in the USA are required to fulfill certain general eligibility requirements in addition to certain specific requirements of the particular law school in the USA. A JD or LLB degree is one of the most important requirements for admission to LLM programs in the USA. Listed below are a few other eligibility requirements to pursue an LLM in the USA for international students:

• Applicants are required to have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved US Law School or a first degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a foreign law school
• Law school transcripts are another important part of the LLM application process
• A minimum score of 83% at the bachelor’s level or a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience
• English language proficiency proof
• Letters of recommendation
• Work and research experience

Documents Required to Apply for LLM in the USA

Admission to LLM programs in the USA requires applicants to submit supporting documents along with their application to the particular law school. A law degree is one of the most important requirements for admission to LLM in the USA. The supporting documents act as proof of every detail mentioned in the application form. Given below is a list of important documents required for admission to LLM courses in the USA to be submitted directly to the respective American law school:

• Academic transcripts of Class 10, 12, and bachelor’s degree
• Foreign transcripts evaluated by LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Essays answering the questions asked by the university
• Personal statement
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

English Proficiency Requirements for International Students

International students coming from non-English speaking countries are required to prove English language proficiency for admission to LLM programs in the USA. Both TOEFL and IELTS test scores are accepted by top American law schools. Given below are the minimum scores required in various language proficiency tests to pursue LLM in the USA:

• TOEFL (iBT): 100
• IELTS: 7.0

Cost of Studying LLM in the USA

The total cost of pursuing LLM in the USA depends on the tuition fees charged by the university, living costs, and the standard of living of the student. All international students are required to bear the pre-arrival costs such as application fees, visa fees, and the fees for various competitive examinations. Additionally, students should also bear the tuition and living costs for the duration of the LLM program in the USA. The basic pre-arrival costs for international students before coming to the USA are:

• Application Fees: $80- $100
• USA Student Visa Fees: $160
• IELTS Fees: $185- $190
• TOEFL Fees: $160- $250
• LSAC CAS Fees: $195

Tuition Cost for LLM in the USA

The tuition costs for LLM in the USA vary for the different law schools under the top American universities. This cost could also vary for domestic and international students based on several factors. The average tuition fees for international students to pursue LLM in the USA at various universities are tabulated below:

University Name	Average Tuition Fees (per annum)
Harvard University	$65,875
Yale University	$43,300
Stanford University	$62,175
University of California, Berkeley	$63,362
University of Columbia	$72,360
New York University	$66,036
University of Chicago	$66,651
Georgetown University	$62,244
University of California, Los Angeles	$66,571
University of Michigan	$64,526

Cost of Living in the USA for International Students

The cost of living in the USA varies for different students based on their living standards. Accommodation charges are one of the major contributors to the cost of living in the USA for an international student. On-campus housing is limited and costs more than off-campus housing options. Given below are some of the major monthly costs associated with living in the USA for international students:

• On-campus Accommodation: $1000
• Off-Campus Accommodation: $600- $800
• Meals: $120- $160
• Transportation: $100- $300
• Personal Expenditures: $300- $600
• Health Insurance: $450- $700

Scholarships for LLM in the USA

An LLM in the USA can be expensive for international students with the high tuition fees and living expenses. Students can opt for financial assistance in the form of scholarships and other awards to waive off the cost of tuition. Some of the most popular scholarships for international students willing to pursue LLM in the USA are listed below:

• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
• Fulbright Scholarship
• Hauser Global Scholars Program
• Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship
• General Merit Scholarships
• UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program

USA Visa Requirements for International Students

International students willing to pursue LLM in the USA are required to apply for an F1 visa. This visa allows international students to work on-campus for up to 20 hours/ week or less during the academic terms and full-time during the term breaks. Students who are enrolled as an F-1 student in the US for a minimum of one academic year are eligible for any form of off-campus employment. Find below some of the USA student visa requirements from international students:

• Acceptance letter from the university
• Character and birth certificate
• I-20 (original) signed and approved by both the university authority and applicant
• Proof of English proficiency
• GRE score
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Valid passport
• Recent passport size photograph
• Proof of funds- bank statements and balance certificate
• Sponsorship letter from the sponsor and relationship certificate with sponsor
• Valuation of assets
• Proof of SEVIS fee payment

Job Opportunities for LLM Graduates in the USA

LLM graduates in the USA can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at least 6 months before the completion of their degree program. The duration of the OPT program in 12 months and can be on a contractual basis, paid or unpaid. International students can apply for an H1B visa after completion of the OPT program to be able to start working under a US employer.

LLM graduates should pass the Bar examination of the state in which they would like to practice as a lawyer. American states such as New York and California allow students with a foreign law degree to take the Bar examination. Around 23 states in the USA only allow students with a degree from ABA-approved law school to attempt the Bar examination. This is the main reason why international students need to pursue an LLM in the USA to be able to practice law in these states.

Law graduates in the USA earn an average salary of around 96,200 USD per annum. The other prominent job options for LLM graduates in the USA along with the annual salary are:

• Associate Attorney: 94,000 USD per annum
• Attorney Lawyer: 113,000 USD per annum