Curriculum

As an LLM student, you must complete 26 credit hours and satisfy all degree requirements. Full-time LLM students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits during each of two semesters and complete the degree requirements during one academic year. If you pursue the LLM degree on a part-time basis, you may do so by enrolling in a minimum of three semesters.  

Sample Program Schedule 

First Semester (Fall) - 12-13 total credits 

• Introductory Survey of American Law (3 credits) 
• Course in Area of Study (3 credits) 
• Course in Area of Study (3 credits)
• Course in Area of Study (3-4 credits) 

Second Semester (Spring) - 12-13 total credits 

• Course in Area of Study (3 credits) 
• Course in Area of Study (3 credits) 
• Course in Area of Study (3 credits) 
• Course in Area of Study/LLM Research Colloquium (3-4 credits) 

You must complete all LLM degree requirements within 36 months of initial enrollment at Maryland Carey Law. 

If you do not hold a JD degree from a U.S. law school, you must take our Introductory Survey of American Law (3 credits). There are no other required courses, allowing great flexibility in course selection.  

Choosing Courses 

You will work closely with a faculty supervisor to design a customized course of study in your chosen area of study. You must earn at least 12 of the 26 credits required for graduation in courses within this area of study. The course catalog details courses available within the various areas of study.  

No more than 4 credits of externships or practicums may be counted toward the 26-credit degree requirement. A student may not receive credit toward LLM degree requirements for elective Moot Court or other teams or for work on student publications. 

You must satisfy the requirements of good standing in regard to both character and academics to graduate. 

In regard to character:  

• Not be subject to matters of the Student Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure 
• Not be subject to matters of the Student Honor Code 
• Have satisfied the Tuition and Fee Payment Policies 

In regard to academics:  

• Have a weighted cumulative average of at least 2.00. 

You may not transfer or apply credits earned elsewhere toward LLM degree requirements at Maryland Carey Law. 

If you return to Maryland Carey Law after an approved period of absence, you may be subject to changes in the graduation requirements that apply to the class with which you expect to graduate. Contact the Dean for Academic Affairs and the Office of Registration and Enrollment to discuss requirements. 

You may be eligible to take U.S. bar exams or the Maryland bar exam after completing our LLM program, depending on the courses that you take. Bar admission requirements vary among jurisdictions. For more information about eligibility to take a bar examination and bar admission requirements in U.S. jurisdictions, see the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners, as well as the website of the bar authorities for any state in which you are interested in taking the bar. International students wishing to be eligible to take a U.S. bar exam may need to take certain courses. The LLM academic advisor will guide you appropriately, and counsel you as you navigate the application process.  

Maryland Bar Exam 

The process of applying to sit for the Maryland bar exam for graduates of non-ABA law schools is as follows: 

1. Review the process for requesting a Waiver for Graduates of Non-ABA Law Schools. 

1. You must complete a minimum of 26 credit hours in Maryland bar-tested courses in your LLM program at Maryland Carey Law in order to qualify for the waiver and be eligible to sit for the bar exam. Bar-tested subjects on the Maryland bar include Business Associations, Commercial Transactions, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Maryland Civil Procedure, Professional Conduct, Property, and Torts. 

1. If you qualify, request the following from the law school’s Office of Registration and Enrollment (ORE) in Suite 280. 

1. Certification letter as required by the rule;
   b. Current law school transcript showing LLM courses completed and/or in progress;
   c. Course descriptions of the LLM courses; and 
   d. Copy of your LSAC/admissions file 
2. Certificate of good standing from the foreign jurisdiction(s) where you are admitted to practice law
   b. A waiver request letter, signed by you, and containing a detailed description of:

1. You will be contacted by ORE when the items listed above are ready for you to pick up. It is your responsibility to send these items to the State Board of Law Examiners (SBLE), along with: 

1. Your pre-legal education achieved, indicating the name and location of each college or university attended, the date of graduation (if any), and the degree(s) obtained (if any);
   II. Your legal education achieved, indicating the name and location of each law school(s) attended and the date of the law school graduation; and
   III. Your experience in the practice of law 
   IV. A valid mailing address to which the State Board of Law Examiners can respond 

After you have completed the waiver request letter (4.b., above) and compiled the supporting documentation (3.a., b., c., d. and 4.a.), you will need to mail or deliver the original documents to the State Board of Law Examiners (SBLE) by the waiver deadlines (preceding April 20 for a July exam and preceding November 20 for a February exam). 
 
After the SBLE reviews your waiver request and supporting documents, the SBLE will mail a determination letter to the address you provide. Your waiver request letter must include a return address if you wish to receive a response. 

If you are permitted to sit for the Maryland bar exam, you will be contacted by a member of the Character and Fitness Committee regarding the Character and Fitness process, which is a requirement for admission in the State of Maryland. This contact often occurs after the exam dates.