Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Expand your horizons with a Master of Laws tailored to your career goals.
Get Started Today. Now Enrolling for Fall 2024.
Finish in 2 or 3 Semesters
Complete your studies in two semesters or stay longer for an optional third semester to pursue externships and additional coursework.
Specialize Your Studies
Receive personal academic advising to guide you in selecting courses and academic specializations to meet your personal and professional goals.
Gain Real-World Experience
Spend time outside class in pro bono and volunteer lawyering opportunities or our award-winning advocacy program.
Why Choose the College of Law’s LL.M. Program?
- Central New York provides a low cost-of-living in a vibrant campus community; and all students are considered for merit scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition.
- Enjoy academic advising and support from a personal faculty advisor, peer student mentors, and LL.M. program staff.
- Two required courses teach you the foundations of the American legal system and legal writing while allowing for significant flexibility in choosing from over 100 elective courses.
- Our LL.M. students participate in student government of the College and join our 30+ student organizations and affinity groups.
- Our special “Bar Prep Track” provides special advising and courses for students who desire to take an eligible bar exam in the U.S.
“My experience and global perspective empower greater reach.”
Kenyan native Manase Nyaga, LL.M’20
Bringing a breadth of experience and global perspective
to shape his goal to serve
The College of Law announces our partnership with Kaplan to provide holistic programming and support for all College of Law beginning in their 1L year, culminating with a comprehensive Kaplan bar review course for all graduates.
LL.M. Program Details
Academics
The LL.M. program offers a rigorous academic curriculum designed for foreign-educated lawyers. In the first semester, students are required to enroll in two courses designed for the LL.M. program:
- Introduction to the American Legal System (3 credits), and
- U.S. Legal Writing (3 credits)
Students must complete a minimum of 18 additional elective credits and satisfy the Writing Requirement (minimum 25-page research paper) in order to obtain their degree. All elective courses are taken alongside our J.D. students as LL.M. students are meaningfully integrated into the academic life of the College of Law.
Elective Courses
Diversify your studies with the ability to enroll in up to two graduate-level elective courses in other master’s programs at Syracuse University – a mid-sized international university, with a top-tier R1 research classification.
Campus Life
Enjoy all that campus life and the vibrant community at Syracuse University has to offer with amenities including Division I sports, the new Barnes Center for student wellness, and the Center for International Services.
Admissions
The College of Law recommends LL.M. candidates submit application materials by June 1 for priority consideration to enroll in the fall semester (August). There is no application fee collected by the College.
Admission Requirements
- Candidates to the LL.M. program must hold a first degree in law from a foreign institution.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency. College of Law recommends a TOEFL score of 90+ or an IELTS score of 6.5+ and will consider additional factors when assessing English proficiency.
- All applicants may be interviewed via online platform or by phone upon submission of a complete application.
Conditional Admission & Legal English
Candidates who do not demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency may obtain conditional admission pending successful completion of an English program at Syracuse University’s English Language Institute (ELI). While in ELI, candidates may observe law lectures and join LL.M. program events as schedules permit.
Regardless of the level of English proficiency, all LL.M. candidates are strongly encouraged to attend the intensive six-week “English for Lawyers” summer program offered by Syracuse University’s English Language Institute.
Admissions Advising & Support
Throughout the admissions and post-acceptance process, you will enjoy very personalized service as well as responsive and friendly staff available to answer your questions along the way. Admitted students receive an admission letter and packet with comprehensive, step-by-step instructions and information. We host periodic webinars for applicants and admitted students covering topics such as costs, student visas, housing, parking, etc.
Regarding housing, you’ll find that living costs in Syracuse are significantly less than other American cities such as New York City, Boston, Chicago, or Los Angeles. Upon admission, students receive our Housing and Arrival Guide for Students and Scholars that provides insights on neighborhoods, school districts, signing a lease, and helpful websites to search for apartments.
Paying for Law School
Tuition
Your cost of attendance will depend on the length of your course of study. For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition for the two-semester track is $59,880.
Scholarships
Syracuse University College of Law will consider all students for merit scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition. There is no separate scholarship application. There are also many opportunities to apply for outside scholarships. Contact the College of Law Financial Aid Office for more information on these outside scholarship opportunities.
Student Loans
Candidates who are either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. are eligible to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in order to obtain Federal Direct Student Loans.
Private Loans
Candidates may apply for private educational financing opportunities through lenders like MPOWER and Sallie Mae. Private loans are credit-based and offer fixed-rate or variable-rate options. Most require a U.S.-based cosigner.
Partnership Opportunities
The College of Law is a host institution to a variety of government and non-profit sponsoring organizations, including the Fulbright Program and the Organization of American States.
Student Support
Our Office of International Programs offers a variety of support resources for LL.M. students—tutoring, academic counseling, bar exam preparation, study groups, and much more. In addition, our academic and faculty advisers will provide guidance in helping you select courses and opportunities beyond the core LL.M. degree requirements that match your personal interests and professional goals.
Each student is matched with a member of the faculty who shares his/her academic interests. The role of the faculty adviser is to meet with the student as needed to discuss courses, research interests, and other curricular questions.
J.D. students serve as peer mentors to the LL.M. students. Our J.D. student mentors lead tutoring sessions, study groups, panel discussions on topics ranging from final exams to job searches, and social events.