Applying to the LL. M. Program

Thank you for your interest in our LL.M. program in U.S. Legal Studies! We welcome applications from international students from around the world who have a law degree from outside the United States.

What we offer:

• Waiver of application fee when using LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service's International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service*

• One academic year program

• Flexible curriculum with broad diversity of courses

• Six areas of specialization

• Opportunity to apply to transfer into the J.D. program

• Small program, small classes and individual advising

• Nationally recognized faculty

• San Francisco location

• Career services focused on assisting LL.M. students

*Please note that all applicants are responsible for paying fees for services offered through LSAC ($75 for the Data Assembly Service and $125 for the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service as well as any other applicable charges).  If you choose to use the LSAC Data Assembly Service ONLY, you will be required to pay the $75 Application Fee to UC Hastings in addition to fees required by LSAC. 

Who should apply?

To apply you must have received (or expect to receive prior to enrollment at Hastings) a degree that would qualify you for the practice of law from a recognized law faculty outside of the United States. The International Programs Committee generally looks for candidates with a solid academic record, strong recommendations, and interesting experience. The application process is highly selective, and many more students apply than we can admit.

The LL.M. degree is primarily intended for students who plan to return to their home country to practice law or plan on working in the United States only for limited periods of time. Students who intend to practice law in the United States permanently should be aware that employers do not regard the LL.M. degree as the equivalent of a J.D. degree. Prospective students who definitely plan on practicing law permanently in the United States should consider applying to the J.D. program instead.

How to apply:

UC Hastings strongly recommends applying online through LSAC, www.lsac.org,  and we will waive our $75  LL.M. application fee for those using the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service's International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service to apply.  You can access the Hastings application at LSAC by going directly to this link:

https://os.lsac.org/release/startup.aspx?appl=4342A1

LL. M. students may apply online beginning October 1.  We give priority to applications received by May 1, but we will accept applications after May1 depending on space availability.

Questions about the online application process should be directed to LSAC (www.lsac.org).  Please call 215.968.1393.

You may track your application status using Online Application Tracker at https://aces2.lsac.org/YourStatus/membership/AppStatIdMe.aspx?guid=xPxGofdIZZg%3D.  Please note that you must have received an email from UC Hastings with your specific username and initial password in order to use this feature.  Please be sure to check your email for more information.  If you have any questions regarding this feature, please send an email to llm@uchastings.edu. 

For applicants who require screen readers or other assistive software, you may use our Accessible LL.M. Application.  (If you have any difficulty accessing the application, instructions or any part of our website, please contact us at 415-581-8881 for assistance.) Once you have downloaded the LL. M. application and completed it, please mail it to us and submit your $75 application fee.  Fee may be paid by money order, check drawn from U.S. bank, or online with a credit card.  Mail applications to:

UC Hastings College of the Law
International and Graduate Programs Office
200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA

Application Forms to download and mail:

Application Form
Reference Cover Page
Transcript Request Cover Page
Application Check List

TOEFL OR IELTS TEST

If English is not your native language, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS  test.  Please see www.toefl.com for information on the test and exam dates.  Generally, our TOEFL score minimum requirement for admissions is 600 (PBT), 250 (CBT), or 90 (iBT), and the IELTS score minimum requirement is 7.  In extraordinary circumstances, the TOEFL/IELTS  may be waived for applicants who have not had the opportunity to take it and can provide other evidence that they have fully mastered English.

Contact us if you have any questions about the application process:  llm@uchastings.edu.