- Who should apply to the LL.M. Program?
- Lawyers from the U.S. with J.D. degrees who want to pursue a specific area of the law in more depth, including lawyers who are looking to retool their legal skills or refocus on a particular area of the law.
- Lawyers from outside of the U.S. who want to enhance their knowledge of U.S. law or concentrate on specific areas of U.S. law.
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- How will my faculty supervisor within my area of specialization be selected?
Applicants will be matched with the faculty supervisor based on the details provided in the statement of scholarly intent. Students may express interest in the scholarship of a particular faculty member, but the match will be made at the discretion of the law school.
- How long does it take to complete the LL.M. degree requirements?
The Program is designed to be completed with one year of full-time study. Most students will satisfy degree requirements, including the thesis requirement, within two consecutive semesters.
Students may begin the Program in the fall semester only.
- Can I apply credits from my first law degree to satisfy the LL.M. degree requirements?
Coursework completed prior to enrollment in the LL.M. Program cannot be credited toward the LL.M. degree requirements. Students who previously studied at the University of Maryland School of Law, whether in the J.D. program or one of the School’s foreign exchange programs, may not apply credits earned prior to enrollment in the LL.M. program toward the LL.M. degree. However, courses taken prior to enrollment in the LL.M. program may satisfy course prerequisites.
- Can I take courses outside of the University of Maryland School of Law and apply the credits toward my LL.M. degree requirements?
No. Only credits awarded at the University of Maryland School of Law will count toward degree requirements.
- Do you have a minimum TOEFL requirement?
International Students who will need to obtain a visa based on attendance at UMB must demonstrate English Proficiency and Financial Responsibility. English Proficiency is proven by an official TOEFL score of at least 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, previous attendance at a U.S. institution, or proof that English is their native language. http://www.umaryland.edu/ois/international/admissions.html
- 550 (paper-based exam)
- 213 (computer-based exam)
- 80 (internet-based exam)
- When will I receive a decision regarding admission to the LL.M. Program?
The School of Law has a rolling admission process. The application deadline is March 1.
- How much is tuition for the LL.M. Program?
2009-2010 Annual in-state tuition and fees for full-time day students: $22,719
2009-2010 Annual out-of-state tuition and fees for full-time day students: $33,998
Students can expect additional costs of approximately $19,500 for living expenses for ten months. This estimate is intended only as a guide to help plan for your total costs. Actual figures and budgets are provided by the Campus Financial Aid Office.
- How are the courses graded?
- May I take a class Pass/Fail?
With advanced permission, students may elect to take one course, other than a required course, on a credit/no credit basis.
- What is the maximum number of credits I can enroll in each semester?
Students may enroll in up to 17 credits each semester. In general, students may expect to take approximately 15 credits in the fall semester, 9 credits in the spring semester plus 6 additional credits to satisfy the thesis requirement.
- Will I be eligible to sit for the bar exam upon completion of the LL.M. program?
Bar admissions requirements vary in each jurisdiction. For more information about bar examination eligibility and bar admissions requirements, please visit http://www.ncbex.org/comprehensive-guide-to-bar-admissions/.
Most U.S. applicants will already be admitted to practice in one or more jurisdictions.
The LL.M. Program is not designed as a bar preparation program for international students.
- What is the average entering LL.M. class size?
We strive to provide individualized attention to our LL.M. students, and we limit our class sizes to less than 20 students per academic year. Students in the LL.M. Program will take most classes with our JD students.
