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United States Legal Studies, LLM
Program at a Glance
Program
United States Legal Studies, LLM
Format
Online, On Campus
Total Units
24
$1,860
Per Unit
Program Overview
The LLM in US Legal Studies program provides core training in United States law and comprehensive preparation for foreign attorneys and law graduates to take the state bar examination. The program also allows students to concentrate on a particular area of U.S. law. It teaches foreign-educated lawyers about the basic foundations of American law and prepares them to understand, analyze, and write about issues in American law.
Graduates of the program will understand the foundations of U.S. law, know the basics of several specific areas of U.S. law, gain strong legal analysis skills, perform effective legal research, apply legal authority to facts, and write documents in acceptable U.S. format with correct citations. They will be prepared to succeed in their electives using the approach and skills that they have learned, and at the end of their studies will be prepared to work in an American law office or similar setting as an intern/extern.
Admission Requirements
All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible during the admission cycle. To receive consideration by the Admissions Committee, applicants must submit their applications by the posted deadline. Applications may be accepted after the posted deadline and are reviewed on a space-available basis.
A complete LLM program application consists of the following:
- Completed LLM Application, available at www.lsac.org
- Personal Statement;
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (C.V.);
- Character and Fitness Addendum (if applicable);
- Letters of Recommendation;
- Law School Transcripts (translated if not in English);
- Interview (if applicable); and
- Non-US applicants must submit additional documents, including English proficiency demonstrated with either the TOEFL, IELTS, interview with Program Director, or waived for the exceptions
There is no fee to apply. It is highly recommended that applicants apply prior to the priority deadline as admission and scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis.
- April 1 is the priority application deadline for starting the program in the Fall (August), deadline extension to June 1
- December 1 is the application deadline for starting the program in the Spring (January)
- April 1 is the application deadline for starting the program in the Summer (late May) — limited to Taxation and Estate Planning programs ONLY.
Applications are complete when they contain all of the required materials detailed below. Once an application is complete, it is forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. A decision is typically rendered four to six weeks after an application is forwarded to the Committee, but may be reached sooner. Applicants will be notified of decisions through email and LSAC’s Online Status Check (see below). All admission decisions are final.
Application Form
Applicants must use the electronic application form available through the LSAC website. Applicants are advised to read the application form thoroughly and follow the instructions carefully.
Personal Statement
Applicants must submit a personal statement. The statement must be no more than two double-spaced, typed pages in 12-point font. The statement should specifically address: the applicant’s motivation for attending law school; why the applicant will make a successful law student and lawyer; and why the applicant wishes to attend Golden Gate University School of Law. The statement may also address the applicant’s ethnicity/race, employment history, volunteer experience, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, socioeconomic and cultural background, or any unique personal characteristics that would contribute to the university’s law school community. Applicants MUST certify their authorship of the statement, and the fact that they did not receive undue assistance in its preparation.
Resume or C.V.
Applicants must include a current résumé detailing educational and work history along with any current or past community service or volunteer experience.
Character and Fitness Addendum
If an applicant answers “Yes” to any of the questions in the Character and Fitness section, an addendum is required. Applicants must provide a statement that includes the date(s) of occurrence, an explanation of relevant circumstances, and how the matter was resolved for each “Yes” response in that section. If an applicant has questions or is uncertain about how to answer, the applicant is strongly encouraged to consult our Office of Admissions and/or the Committee of Bar Examiners in the state in which the applicant intends to practice law.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit at least two, but no more than four, letters of recommendation. Letters from current or former professors, professional colleagues, and/or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s intellectual and professional attributes are most effective. Letters from friends, family members, and other such acquaintances are not advisable. Required (at least 2, but 4 encouraged) for the LLM Programs in US Legal Studies, International Legal Studies, Intellectual Property, and Environmental Law. Recommended for the Taxation and Estate Planning Programs. All letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender directly.
Law School Transcripts
Applicants must provide all undergraduate and graduate school transcripts. AT MINIMUM, APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A JD, LLB, OR EQUIVALENT LAW DEGREE FROM A LAW SCHOOL OR UNIVERSITY BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION. Applicants are required to provide original, official transcripts or certified true copies of their academic record, whether from a U.S. institution or non-U.S. institution. These records must be in the original issuing language and come directly from the issuing academic institution. If that issuing language is not English, a certified English translation must accompany the record. If these records are included with the applicant’s submission, academic records should be in an official, sealed envelope from the institution. GGU Law will withdraw offers of admission from admitted students who cannot show proof of a conferred law degree.
Interview
Although an interview is not required, one may be scheduled upon request.
For ABA-approved JD or LLM programs, up to twelve (12) completed units may be transferred in at admission. To be considered, the applicant must have taken the course within the last five years; the applicant must have earned grades of B- or better (minimum 2.50 GPA); the course must be equivalent to a required or elective course in that particular LLM program; and the LLM Program Director must determine that application of the the units towards the degree is in the best interest of the student. The application of units is at the discretion of the specific LLM Program Director. Units from any non-law school program, or non-ABA-approved JD or LLM program will not be transferred in at admission.
Through the LSAC website, GGU Law provides an Online Status Check for applicants to check the progress of their application. We encourage applicants to check their status via this service, as it provides the most up-to-date information. Once the Admissions Office receives an application, the applicant is emailed a confirmation, which includes a unique username and password to access the Online Status Check.
Curriculum
To earn an LLM, Students must complete 24 units with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Classes are offered during the day as well as during the evening to accommodate working professionals. Students may attend full-time and complete the program in as few as two semesters. Alternatively, students may attend part-time. All students must finish the degree requirements within three years of matriculation.
Students must complete the remaining units from the Law School’s course offerings. Alternatively, students may choose to concentrate in one of the following areas of law: Corporate & Commercial Law, Immigration Law, Employment Law, Litigation and Lawyering Skills, US Legal Practice, Property Development/Real Estate Law. Note that not all courses are offered every year.
Concentrations
Students may elect to concentrate in a particular field of law and obtain an “LLM with a concentration.” Students should submit the application form to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline specified on the form. Students electing to earn a concentration must complete 16 units in a concentration, which will also count toward the 24 units needed for the LLM degree. Each concentration requires completion of 16 units of required and recommended courses, with the approval of the program director.
Academic Research Paper
Students may complete a substantial academic research paper in the concentration area, either in connection with certain courses or through a faculty-supervised directed study project.
Curricular Practical Training or Clinic
Students may complete 1-4 units of Curricular Practical Training or clinic as part of the units required to complete a given concentration.
The Corporate & Commercial Law Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course Elective CoursesStudents must complete an additional 13 units from among the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
The Immigration Law Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course Elective CoursesStudents must complete an additional 13 units from among the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
The Labor & Employment Law Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course Elective CoursesStudents must complete an additional 10 units from among the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
The Litigation & Lawyering Skills Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course Elective CoursesStudents must complete an additional 12 units from among the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
The Property Development/Real Estate Law Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course(Will be waived if student has completed course at a US law school.)
Students must complete 12 additional units (16 if the Property requirement is waived) from the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
The US Legal Practice Concentration requires a total of 16 units.
Required Course Elective CoursesStudents must complete an additional 14 units from among the following courses, for a total of 16 units:
Post Graduate Certificate Programs
Post Graduate Certificate programs are offered under the auspices of the LLM US Legal Studies Program. These programs require the completion of 16 units, and they are offered in the following areas: Corporate & Commercial Law; Labor & Employment Law; Immigration; US Law Practice; Litigation & Lawyering Skills; and Property Development/Real Estate Law. Students are expected to complete the certificate program in two years. Post Graduate Certificates may be available in other LLM program areas at the consent of the Program Director.
F-1 students who maintain active immigration status during post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), remain eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) upon enrolling in the Post Graduate Certificate Program.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the LLM in United States Legal Studies program will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the legal rules, principles and theories in the relevant fields of substantive and procedural law.
- The ability to apply the legal rules, principles, and theories in the relevant fields of substantive and procedural law in order to identify legal doctrine and resolve legal problems.
- The ability to clearly and effectively communicate in a professional legal setting within the relevant fields of law.
- The ability to succeed in the relevant fields of law.
- Expertise in specific fields of substantive and procedural law within relevant LLM program of study that include: Students will learn the foundations of U.S. law, know the basics of several specific areas of U.S. law, gain strong legal analysis skills, perform effective legal research, apply legal authority to facts, and write documents in acceptable U.S. format with correct citations. They will be prepared to take the state bar examination and work in an American law office or similar setting as an intern/extern.
J-1 Visiting Scholar Program
GGU Law’s J-1 Visiting Scholar Program is intended to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and return home to share their experiences. It is also intended to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries.
Application Requirements
In addition to the application requirements listed above we recommend that LLM and SJD applicants from other nations bring with them an extra copy of their official transcripts of undergraduate and law studies as well as any official documents they have received from the courts or bar associations of their home country indicating that they have been admitted to practice law in that country. Students planning to prepare for a bar examination may need a transcript evaluation by an independent agency. This evaluation can be completed after students arrive to begin the LLM or SJD programs.
English Proficiency
Applicants who received their degrees outside the United States must satisfy the Admissions Committee of the proficiency of their English language abilities. An official TOEFL score report sent directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS) to the appropriate program at GGU Law satisfies this requirement. Visit the TOEFL Website.
- The TOEFL Institution Code for Golden Gate University is 4329
- The TOEFL Department Code for the School of Law is 03
Applicants must receive a minimum TOEFL score of 580 Paper-based test (PBT), or 92 Internet-based test (iBT) for the LLM (Master of Laws) Programs in U.S. Legal Studies, International Legal Studies, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Taxation, and the SJD (Doctorate) Program in International Legal Studies.
TOEFL Practice Online is a community for test takers preparing for the next generation TOEFL test, or anyone wishing to improve their academic English skills. This is the ONLY website that has official test material from the new TOEFL test that will assess these language skills: Listening, Writing, Reading, Speaking. By becoming a member you can access helpful information, discussion boards, sample responses from a speaking test, and purchase a practice test and practice questions. TOEFL Practice Online Website.
GGU Law accepts International English Language Testing (IELTS) scores. Students need about Level 6.5 to be admitted to the LLM (Master of Laws) Programs and the SJD (Doctorate) Program in International Legal Studies.
Proficiency may be demonstrated with either the TOEFL, IELTS, interview with Program Director, or waived for the exceptions.
