LL.M.

Program
The Degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) The Law School admits a limited number of graduate students each year to pursue one year of full-time study leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.). Admission is generally open only to those committed to a career in teaching law. No uniform course of study is prescribed for LL.M. candidates; courses are elective, and students tailor their studies to their own interests. Subject to meeting degree requirements, each LL.M. candidate is invited to use the resources of the Law School in whatever program of study will best prepare that individual for a career in research and teaching. Students enjoy small class sizes and the camaraderie of many international and J.D. students, the intimacy of a small program (the Law School accepts approximately 25 LL.M. students each year), and a close relationship with the graduate student tutor-in-law and the Yale Law School faculty. For more information, visit LL.M. Admissions.

LL.M. Requirements
Graduate students are admitted for one academic year in residence, leading to the degree of Master of Laws. To qualify for the LL.M. degree, students must:

successfully complete at least 18 units of the 24 units required of regular course and seminar offerings (in the Law School or other schools in the University); carry a total of no fewer than 12 units of credit per term; up to 6 units per year (or 8 units if a candidate takes a first-term ungraded course) may be taken credit/fail only with the consent of the instructor; spend at least two terms in residence.

LL.M. candidates can complete up to 6 units of the 24 units required of independent research and writing for credit under the supervision of a Law School faculty member. (With approval, up to 6 units of credit toward the LL.M. degree can be earned in courses in other

schools in the University.) They can also participate in student-run programs such as reading groups and law journals. The LL.M. program runs from September through May and includes a fall and spring term; there are no January admissions. Students from all over the world come to Yale Law School to deepen their understanding of the law. The LL.M. program is truly globalboth in the breadth of resources available through Yale Law School and in the composition of its student body. For the 2011-12 academic year, for example, the 25 LL.M. students come from 15 different countries. The LL.M. program is a one-year course of study intended for students committed to careers in law teaching and scholarship. A small number of applications may be accepted each year from highly qualified individuals who work in leadership positions in public service, government, nonprofit, or nongovernmental organizations. Before applying to the Yale Law School LL.M. program, please review our eligibility requirements below:

Applicants for the LL.M. program must have completed their law degree at an accredited U.S. law school or a non-U.S. law school with substantially equivalent standards, and must have a strong record of academic accomplishment. All letters of admission are conditional upon graduation. We reserve the right to review or revoke admission if you fail to graduate with your class.

Students are encouraged to complete preprofessional requirements for bar admission in their home country or state before entering the LL.M. program. Some experience following completion of the first professional degree is encouraged.

Admission is ordinarily not available to students who have obtained or are pursuing an LL.M. or an equivalent degree from another law school in the United States. Admission is available only to individuals planning careers in law teaching and scholarship. An evaluative interview is not part of the admission process.

Steps in Applying for the LL.M.

Additional Information:

Contact the Graduate Programs Office

Due to technical difficulties with the LSAC application process, we are extending the LLM application deadline to December 1, 2011. You must have received, or expect to receive, by the summer of 2012, a juris doctor degree or bachelors degree in law. All offers of admission are conditional upon graduation. Applications are accepted from September 1 through November 15, 2011 December 1, 2011. The December 1 deadline should be understood as the date by which all documents that applicants are required to submit must be received by LSAC. We require all applicants to the LL.M. program to submit their applications online through the Law School Admission Councils electronic application (available September 1). 1. Register for LSACs LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Important: You should register and pay for the LLM Credential Assembly Service at least four to six weeks before your first law school application deadline. It takes approximately two weeks for LSAC to process a U.S. transcript or letter of recommendation from the time it is received; transcripts from non-U.S. institutions may take longer. LSAC will not send to us your Law School report until all official transcripts (and TOEFL, if required) are received. It is your responsibility to make certain LSAC sends all your materials to Yale Law School in a timely fashion. International applicants must register for the LSAC International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation service in addition to the LSAC Document Assembly service. Questions about the LL.M. CAS should be directed to LSAC at 215-968-1001. 2. Arrange for Recommendations Have two of your professors who know you and your work well write letters of recommendation. Applicants in teaching or practice may substitute one employer or supervisor. You may submit additional letters, however your file will be deemed complete

when two letters have arrived. We strongly recommend that letters of recommendation be sent through LSACs Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Service. More about letters of recommendation. 3. Take the TOEFL exam If your secondary (high school) education was not completed in the United States, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada (in English medium of instruction schools), you must submit your official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The admissions committee requires a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, or 100 on the Internet-based test. Applicants who have at least a 4-year degree from the US or the countries listed above may request a waiver of the TOEFL. More about submitting your TOEFL. 4. Learn more about YLS You are welcome to visit the Law School or browse our website. YLS does not conduct an evaluative interview. 5. Complete the application form We require all applicants to the LL.M. Program to submit their applications through the LSAC electronic application service. Submit your entire application online, including the attachments, through the LSAC electronic application. 6. Complete the three essay questions and include them as attachments to your application * Separate responses (of no more than 250 words each) to the following required essays. Please note that a personal statement cannot be substituted for or take the place of these required essays. a. Your reasons for seeking admission to Yales LL.M. program. b. Explain how Yale fits in with your plans for teaching after you graduate from law school. (Please indicate your areas of interest and what arrangements, if any, you have made concerning employment.) * A separate essay of no more than 500 words describing your scholarly research agenda for

the near future. Please articulate what you think are the most important issues in your chosen field, and explain why. 7. Pay the application fee of $75 USD The application fee is $75, payable through LSAC by credit card. This fee is nonrefundable and will not be credited to tuition in the event of admission. 8. Receive confirmation of your application You will receive notification from us when we receive your application and, again, when your application is complete. If you have not received notification by January 15, 2012, please contact us. We typically make admissions decisions in mid-March.