LL.M. in U.S. Law

What Makes Loyola Unique?

• Study Civil Law and Common Law in the mixed jurisdiction of Louisiana.

• Qualify to sit for the bar exams in Louisiana, New York and other jurisdictions.

• Work with an individual faculty mentor assigned to you to assist with your academic success.

• Consult with our dedicated career services team to help you achieve your career goals.

• Enjoy small, personalized legal research and writing classes. 

• Undertake U.S. and overseas internships, special projects and public interest activities.

• Study in Loyola’s overseas summer programs.

• Take specialized elective courses with J.D. students to immerse in U.S. legal education.

• Join J.D. students in strong student organizations.

• Receive a first rate U.S. legal education in a program dedicated to its LL.M. students.

• Prepare to work in a globalized economy.

• Take complimentary skills courses to enhance your legal experience and knowledge.

Degree Requirements

In general it is anticipated that the degree will be completed in one academic year (two semesters), but LL.M. candidates may take longer with the permission of the Director.  

Our LL.M. curriculum is designed to be flexible so that LL.M. candidates can customize their course selections in line with their professional goals.  There are only two required courses in the 24 semester hours needed for completion of the LL.M. degree. 

1)        LAW ML930 Introduction to United States Law

• 2 credits
• Offered prior to the start of each fall semester

2)       LAW L715 Lawyering I 

• 3 credits

• Offered each fall semester

B. Writing Project Component

LL.M. candidates must also complete a two-hour writing project on a subject of their choice. The writing project may be fulfilled by taking a two-hour law school seminar for credit or a two-hour independent legal research project (LAW L898) under the supervision of a faculty member

C. Elective Courses

LL.M. candidates will have a choice of elective credits for the remainder of the required 24 semester hours. They may select from among any other courses in the College of Law’s catalog, except for courses that are associated with service on the school’s four officially recognized law journals. LL.M. candidates should develop a coherent plan of electives and have the approval of their faculty mentors for all elective courses. 

LL.M. candidates who intend to qualify to sit for a bar exam, should notify the program Director and Associate Dean before starting the program. 

Additional Academic Opportunities

Internship Credit

Up to four credit hours may be earned through a pass / fail internship with a law firm, court, or government agency. The College of Law cannot promise that internships will be available to the LL.M. candidates, but will make best efforts to help ascertain any opportunities that may become available.

Completing a Thesis

LL.M. candidates may be able to complete a more extensive thesis under faculty supervision for up to a total of six hours credit (this would be instead of the two-hour writing project, not in addition to it). The thesis may be completed after the candidate’s one-year period of residency on the Loyola campus, but the LL.M. degree will not be awarded until the thesis is satisfactorily completed.

Application Requirements

The LL.M. Program in United States Law is only open to students who will have already met at least one of the following requirements by the time they enroll in the College of Law (August for Fall semester students; January for Spring semester students):

1. Be qualified to practice law (admitted to the bar) in a foreign country.

2. Completed the university-based legal education required in a foreign country to take the bar examination in that country.

(1) Complete a First Degree in Law from an Institution Outside of the U.S.

• Students will have to provide an original copy of transcripts for the first degree in law.

(2) Complete LL.M. Application

• Students are encouraged to use our official LL.M. Program Application. 

• Loyola's College of Law employs a rolling admissions system. Students may enroll in August (Fall semester) or January (Spring semester). 

(3) Submit Two Letters of Recommendation 

• We require two original letters of recommendation from your law school professors, employers, supervisors, or other persons qualified to appraise your academic potential for graduate legal studies. At least one letter should come from a law school professor. If you have work experience, one letter should also come from a work supervisor. "To Whom It May Concern" letters (which tend to be very general), letters from family and friends, and letters from prominent persons who have not supervised your work are not helpful.

• Letters of recommendation must be written by the recommender on official letterhead and addressed to the LL.M. program Admissions Committee. If your recommenders are unable to print the letters on official letterhead, ask them to include an explanation as to why they are unable to do so. You must also include a work email address for each recommender on the online application form so we can contact her/him should we have questions about the letter or your candidacy. (If your recommenders cannot write in English, please submit certified translations together with the original letter). We reserve the right to disqualify letters written or translated, in part or whole, by the applicant.

• Letters of Recommendation can be uploaded to the online application. Those who wish to submit the letters via mail may send both letters (in sealed envelopes with the recommender's signature across the back flap) to the following address:

LL.M. Programs
Office of Law Admissions
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
7214 St. Charles Avenue, Box 904
New Orleans, LA 70118

(4) Submit a Current Curriculum Vitae

• The CV should include all education, work, and volunteer information. Students may also include any publication information or professional or academic information they consider pertinent to the application. 

(5) Submit Official Transcripts from All Colleges, Universities, and Law Schools Attended 

• Students will have to provide an original copy of all transcripts, including a notarized translation in English if necessary.

(6) Submit Proof of English Language Proficiency 

THE TOEFL TEST

• Students whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL.

• Students must attain a score of at least 550 on the paper based version and a minimum TWE score of no less than 5.5, with the understanding that higher score on the TWE could off-set a less than minimum score on the TOEFL.

• Students must attain a minimum score of at least 230 on the computer based version. 

• Students must attain a minimum score of at least 89 on the Internet based version, with the following scores required:

  • Writing 25

  • Speaking 24

  • Listening 20

  • Reading 20, for a total of 89

• The TOEFL code for the Loyola University College of Law is 6374.

IELTS

• Students whose first language is not English may take the IELTS exam in lieu of the TOEFL.

• Students taking this exam should attain a minimum score of 6.5. 

LL.M. Program Tuition 

• LL.M. program tuition is $1,645.00 per credit hour for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

• The total tuition cost (24 credit hours) for the 2023-2024 academic year is $39,480.00. 

LL.M. Program Fees

• LL.M. applicants can expect University fees of approximately $1,720.00 for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

• Students must also anticipate the costs of books, student health insurance, housing, meals, and transportation. For estimates of these costs, students should contact the Financial Aid Office. 

LL.M. Program Funding Options

• Loans may be available for qualifying students; please contact our Office of Law Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

• Loyola Law offers merit-based and need-based scholarships. All applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships during the application process; there is no separate scholarship application. Contact the Office of Law Admissions to discuss need-based qualifications. 

• Scholarships from your home countries, the U.S. government, or private foundations may be available. For more information regarding such scholarships, please visit the LL.M. Roadmap website. 

On-Campus Housing

• On-campus housing for LL.M. students is limited. However, our Office of Residential Life does its very best to accommodate all graduate international students in appropriate on-campus housing. 

• If you are interested in living on Loyola's campus, please contact the Office of Residential Life. 

Off-Campus Housing

• Students may also wish to stay off-campus. The New Orleans metropolitan area is filled with apartments and homes for rent. Please contact the Office of Law Admissions for off-campus housing recommendations. 

U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents

• U.S. Citizens and Green Card holders do not need a U.S. visa. 

F-1 and J-1 Visas

• All other students must apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. 
• Students applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa must show sufficient funds to provide for educational, living, and personal expenses for one year before Loyola University will issue the necessary I-20 document. Please fill out the Affidavit of Financial Support for LL.M students and return it to the Office of Law Admissions (llm@loyno.edu).
• If you have questions regarding F-1 or J-1 visas, please contact Dittmar Dittrich, Assistant Director for International Student & Scholar Services, in the Center for International Education. His email is dittrich@loyno.edu; his telephone number is 504-864-7550.
• All F-1 and J-1 visa holding international students are required to have health insurance. This requirement is for your health and safety, should you become ill or need to seek medical attention. Loyola offers an insurance option to international students. If you will require assistance with procuring insurance, you can find out more information through our Center for International Education's Healthcare & Medical Insurance page. 

Other Visas

• Students in the U.S. under a visa other than an F-1 or J-1 should consult an immigration attorney if they have questions about what is allowed under their visa status.