This program gives our students with a law degree from another nation an understanding of the American legal system and the role of law in the United States. Each student will receive personal attention and counseling from a faculty advisor to develop a curriculum to fit their specific needs and goals.
LL.M. students are fully integrated into the College of Law community, and take classes alongside J.D. students. This allows LL.M. students to establish professional relationships with other graduate students from around the world, as well the opportunity to work with FSU’s outstanding faculty and J.D. students.
Languages spoken by faculty members include Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin. Social events also help to initiate relationships with faculty, administrators, and other students in the law school community, better preparing both LL.M. and J.D. students to participate in a globalized society.
Upon successful completion of program requirements, students will be awarded a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in American Law for Foreign Lawyers.
Program Highlights:
- The opportunity for graduates to take the bar examination in some jurisdictions, particularly New York, Texas, and California.
- Students in the LL.M. Program in American Law for Foreign Lawyers may apply to the J.D. Program for transfer LL.M. students. The LSAT is not required. The transfer process is highly competitive and ordinarily requires an exceptional record of achievement within the LL.M. program.
- Students may create their own plan of study, designing a curriculum to gain in-depth knowledge of United States law in specialized fields such as commercial/business law, international law, intellectual property law, criminal law, and more.
Degree Requirements
Students who enroll in the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers must attend a non-credit, LL.M. orientation and general law school orientation prior to the beginning in the fall semester, and then successfully complete 24 units of credit in residence at the Florida State University College of Law.
The required courses for the degree are Legal Research and Writing and Introduction to American Law. Students are encouraged to tailor their remaining courses to their particular interests and career aspirations by choosing courses and seminars from among those offered in the J.D. program.
An LL.M. thesis is not required for this degree. Students who demonstrate outstanding writing and research ability may, however, have the opportunity to take a 3-credit Directed Individual Study. Upon successful completion of this substantial research project, the International Programs Committee may designate qualified papers as an LL.M. thesis.
Contact Us
Please contact us with your questions at LLM@law.fsu.edu or (850) 645-0093.
What is an LL.M. Program?
The FSU LL.M. program is a master’s degree program aimed at providing specialized legal training for people who hold a first degree in law (J.D. or LL.B. or equivalent). It is designed to allow students to have more flexibility in creating a curriculum that matches their interests and experiences. Students benefit not only from working with FSU’s outstanding faculty and students, but also by establishing professional relationships with other LL.M. students from around the world.
How long does it take to earn an LL.M. degree?
All LL.M. programs require the successful completion of 24 credit hours. Full-time students are expected to complete the program within one academic year. Part-time students must complete the program within three calendar years.
How many LL.M. programs does the law school have?
We offer three on-campus LL.M. programs: LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers, LL.M. in Business Law, and LL.M. in Environmental Law and Policy.
Who is eligible for admission?
Our LL.M. programs accept both domestic and international students, except that the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers program is only open to foreign law graduates. Applicants must have completed a basic law degree from a recognized college, university, or law school outside the United States. Students must have excellent academic records and strong professional and/or academic recommendations. Professional experience and demonstrated leadership skills will also be taken into account in admissions decisions.
How do I apply?
Students must apply online through LSAC. If students encounter any problems, they can contact us for support.
Visit the specific LL.M. Admission Procedures page for full admission details and to apply online.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is June 15. International students are encouraged to apply by May 15.
How much does an LL.M. program cost?
The estimated tuition and fees are $16,565 (24 credits) for in-state students and $32,574 (24 credits) for out-of-state students.
Are there any scholarships available?
Yes, merit-based scholarships are offered. All applications are considered for the merit-based scholarships. Students who are from Latin America or the Caribbean may qualify for in-state tuition.
Applicants are also encouraged to seek financial assistance through their governments or other outside sources. For more information about financial aid, visit the Organization of American States (OAS) website.
Are the LL.M. courses separate from the J.D. courses?
No, LL.M. and J.D. students take the same courses, except for an LL.M. Legal Writing and Research course and an Introduction to American Law course.
What are the degree requirements?
To earn the LL.M. degree, students must successfully complete 24 units of credit (generally two semesters' study) in residence at the Florida State University College of Law or online if completing the online program. On-campus LL.M. students must also complete a non-credit, one-week orientation prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Students must complete all required courses (if any). There are a few required courses, and thus each student’s program is developed to suit the needs and goals of the individual. Students satisfy their requirements over two semesters by choosing courses and seminars from among those offered in the J.D. program.
Online LL.M. students will be required to complete a paper component and a comprehensive exam. An LL.M. thesis is not required for the degree.
Do I have to take the LSAT?
No. The LSAT is not required for admission to the LL.M. programs.
When are the admissions decisions made?
The Admissions Committee will consider admissions applications as soon as a file is complete. Applicants will be notified immediately upon a decision by the committee.
How will my performance in the LL.M. program be evaluated?
In general, on-campus courses are graded by a separate exam or written paper in each course. Grades for most courses are, however, based on a single, final examination or paper for each course. The format of law school evaluation varies. While many professors give written essay-type exams, others give objective question exams or a combination of the two formats. Seminar courses require a written paper. Online courses designed for our online LL.M. program will contain weekly assignments, mini tests, and mid-term and/or final exams. Some classes may also have paper assignments.
Will I need a computer?
Yes. To be able to take full advantage of these technological capabilities, all entering students, including LL.M. students, are required to have laptop computers. Students have wireless web access within the law school buildings as well as free internet dial-up access, web-based email, Canvas, and free access to many web-based legal research resources. For more information, see the law school's Laptop Requirements page.
For International Students
What type of visa do I need? How long will it take?
LL.M. students outside of the United States generally require F-1 visas or J-1 student visas. Because the process to receive a visa may take from 30 to 90 days, admitted students should begin the student visa application process upon acceptance into the program to ensure that the visa will be issued in time for beginning the program in mid-August. For more information, please contact the FSU Center for Global Engagement.
Will this degree allow me to take the bar examination or practice law in the United States?
LL.M. degrees may permit foreign lawyers who've completed the LL.M. program to take the bar examination in some jurisdictions, particularly New York, California, and Texas. Students must tailor their curriculum to meet the course requirements and credit hours necessary for qualification to take the bar examination in the aforementioned jurisdictions.
For further information, visit the state bar examination website for foreign lawyers for the New York State Board of Law Examiners, the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of California, the Texas Board of Law Examiners, the Washington State Bar Association, and the State Bar of Wisconsin.
Each U.S. state in the United States has a Board of Law Examiners that sets the specific requirements for bar admission in that state. Most have requirements for foreign lawyers beyond an LL.M. degree. Students should check with the Board of Law Examiners of the state where they wish to take the bar to see if they are eligible. For complete information about the requirements for bar admission in particular states, refer to the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Graduates holding an LL.M degree without a JD generally cannot sit for the Florida Bar Exam.
Do I need to take an English language proficiency test?
International students whose native language is not English and who did not receive a bachelor's degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution within the United States are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and have official scores submitted to the College of Law or LSAC as part of the application.
Find more information on the English Language Proficiency page.
Does Florida State University grant conditional admissions?
No, but to help you achieve formal admission, the Center for Intensive English Studies (CIES) at Florida State University is available to help you improve your English language proficiency. If you have any questions, please email cies@admin.fsu.edu.
If I complete the LL.M., can I stay in the summer to work?
U.S. immigration regulations currently permit F-1 visa students who have been continuously enrolled in the LL.M. program for two semesters to apply for post-graduate optional practical training (OPT). The optional practical training permission allows F-1 students to remain in the U.S. for approximately one year to undertake law-related employment. Students with J-1 visa status are not eligible for the post-graduate optional practical training.
Can I transfer to the J.D. program?
Graduates of the LL.M. program whose first degree in law is from a non-U.S. college, university or law school, are eligible to apply to transfer to the College of Law J.D. program. The transfer process is highly competitive and ordinarily requires an exceptional record of achievement within the LL.M. program. Students can transfer up to 29 credits from their LL.M. degree to the J.D. program. Students will be evaluated based on their academic performance in their LL.M. studies. Visit the LL.M. to J.D. Transfer Program page for more details.