What You Need To Know
If you are ready to get started with an LLM Program at the USD School of Law, we are ready to help. From admission requirements and important deadlines to commonly asked questions, here is everything you need to know about applying.
LLM Application Checklist
Register with LSAC
All applicants must register with LSAC, including those who are reapplying. All application material must be submitted through LSAC.
Complete your LLM Application
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- Fall Admission – June 1
- Spring Admission – November 1
- Summer Admission – April 1 (May 1 for Online LLM in U.S. Law)
Applications for admission will be considered on a space-available basis after the priority deadlines. Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year, and many applicants will receive an admission decision within three weeks from the date their application becomes complete.
All prospective students must submit a completed application for admission and CAS Report provided by LSAC. All admissions materials are submitted through your LSAC portal. Application components include:
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- LLM Application
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- A brief personal statement (1-3 pages) that addresses: the nature and extent of your legal background, any related professional experience, how you plan to make use of your graduate degree, and any additional information you deem important.
- Official law school class rank (U.S. applicants only) or written notice from the school indicating that it does not issue class rank.
- Official law school transcript(s) from each law school attended.
- At least one signed letter of recommendation from a professor, attorney, or other legal professional who is familiar with the applicant's education or work history.
- Please note that domestic applicants should order "EAPS" and "DAS" services from LSAC, while international applicants order "EAPS," "DAS," and "ITAES" services.
English Proficiency for International Applicants
- International applicants are required to establish English competency through successful completion of an English language test (TOEFL iBT or Academic IELTS) in the event that: [1] the applicant's native language is not English, or [2] the applicant graduated from an international law school. The minimum suggested TOEFL iBT score is 93 (583 paper-based), and the minimum suggested Academic IELTS score is 7.0.
- U.S. Law candidates whose native language is not English, and who submit a TOEFL/IELTS score as part of their application materials, are eligible to receive extra time on examinations and the use of a translating dictionary.
The minimum grade point average needed to maintain good standing in the LLM in U.S. Law is 2.0, while the minimum grade point average required for all other LLM programs is 2.5. This distinction serves as an accommodation for non-native English speakers and for those who have limited experience with the common law system.
Notice Regarding Submission of Application Materials
Applicants should keep a copy of all materials submitted to LSAC. Once original transcripts and documents are submitted as part of an applicant's admission materials, they cannot be returned or photocopied.
If you are interested in an online program and prefer to apply directly, you can email your application, personal statement, and resume to: llminfo@sandiego.edu.
Eligibility and Student Status
- U.S.-Educated Applicants
- Internationally-Educated Applicants
Eligibility
U.S.-educated applicants to our LLM programs must possess a juris doctor (JD) from a U.S. law school.
- Admission to our LLM programs is competitive and is based primarily upon previous excellence in law studies
- Admitted applicants have excellent academic credentials and may also have significant professional experience
- Almost all of our admitted U.S. applicants are in the top half of their class of a nationally ranked law school
- Applicants currently enrolled in U.S. law schools may apply for admission after completing two years of law school at a U.S. law school
Full-Time or Part-Time Student Status
- An applicant may apply to be either a full-time (9 or more credits) or a part-time student (8 or fewer credits)
- The choice to apply as a full-time or part-time candidate is not a factor used in the admissions process
- Some evening courses are available in most programs, but the part-time option is not exclusively an evening program
- All students (full-time or part-time) are responsible for completing all degree requirements within the time limit specific to each degree
LLM Applicants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Master of Laws, which is a translation of the Latin term Legum Magister.
- 1978: LLM in Taxation, General LLM with Concentration, LLM in U.S. Law (formerly Comparative Law)
- 1998: LLM in International Law
- 1999: LLM in Business and Corporate Law
- 2009: MS in Legal Studies
- 2023: LLM in Spanish (online)
- 2024: Online LLM in U.S. Law
No. There is no application fee for any of our LLM programs. However, the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) charges separate fee(s) for processing application materials and sending the complete application package to the law school. This includes services such as "EAPS, DAS, and ITAES."
We use a rolling admissions process. The Admissions Committee reviews completed files and makes admission decisions on a continual basis. Most applicants receive an admission decision within three weeks from the time their application is deemed complete.
Twelve (12) credits is the average credit load for full-time students, who typically earn their degree in one year. Full-time students are those taking nine (9) or more credits each semester.
Admitted applicants may defer their admission a maximum of two times (i.e., up to two semesters). An admitted applicant should contact Graduate and International Programs for information about the requirements to request a deferral of admission.
Enrolled LLM students may contact the Office of Career and Professional Development during the fall or spring semesters.
By scheduling an initial 30-minute appointment with a career advisor, LLM students can be provided with an overview of the job search timeline and get information about how to register with the School of Law's online recruiting and job listing programs. Throughout their LLM programs, students are encouraged to regularly meet with an advisor for assistance with job searches, resume and cover letter review, and mock interview practice.
All full-time applicants for our campus LLM programs are automatically considered for a Merit Scholarship. No separate scholarship application is required. Externally funded scholarship programs are also an option for incoming students. Please note that Merit Scholarships are not available to students in any of our online LLM programs.
Federal financial aid is generally not available to international students, unless the student is also a dual U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or other category on eligible non-citizen. However, other types of LLM financial aid may be available.
The LLM in U.S. Law program (either campus or online) is the only program which allows students to take bar exam subjects. Our other LLM programs presume that applicants hold an American JD law degree and have already taken all bar exam subjects and/or passed a state bar exam.
An LLM program will not prepare a student for the bar exam as thoroughly as a JD program, but LLM in U.S. Law students may take up to 5 bar exam subjects in the campus program and 10 bar exam subjects in the online program (note - the New York bar does not accept online LLM coursework). The LLM in U.S. Law program is the only LLM program which allows students to take bar exam subjects. Our other LLM programs are designed for attorneys who hold an American JD degree and presume they have already taken all bar exam subjects and/or passed a bar exam.
Can't find the answer you are looking for?
The LLM admissions team can answer any questions you have about our programs and the admission process at the USD School of Law. Fill out the information request for below, contact us at (619) 260-7584 or llminfo@sandiego.edu, or visit us in Warren Hall 218.