Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The LLM is a full-time, 10-month program.  Students can choose to start their LLM in the fall or spring semester.

Example of schedule

Tuition for 2024 - 2025 is $67,490. For more information about tuition and fees, click here.

Each and every student is considered for scholarship during the admission process and no separate application is required for this. Loyola Law School values academic excellence and may award a merit-based scholarship of up to $40,000.

To be considered for admission, an applicant must already have one degree in law.  For more information about applicant qualifications, click here.

Applicants have the option to apply to Loyola's LLM program through Law School Admission Council (LSAC) or by Loyola's LLM Application form online.  To determine which application is best for you, please review the information below.

Candidates can apply directly to Loyola by completing the LLM Application form online. The application form asks applicants to complete and upload a personal statement, résumé, copy of TOEFL/IELTS score and unofficial transcripts online. Please note that letters of recommendation must be delivered or emailed directly from your recommender. A copy of your letter(s) of recommendation may be accepted for the evaluation but official letter(s) must be received before the orientation.  

• Loyola's Online LLM Application

To apply through Law School Admission Council (LSAC), please click the link below.  Once on LSAC's website you will be able to create your account and access Loyola's application to submit. Applicants who apply through LSAC will be required to submit all application materials (personal statement, academic transcripts, TOEFL/IELST score report, recommendation letters, and résumé) in LSAC's platform.  This information will then be provided to Loyola for processing. 

• Online Application
• Application Status

Applications for the Fall and Spring semesters are accepted on a rolling basis. For priority review, especially for scholarship consideration, applications for Fall admission should be received by March 1, but will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis until June 15. For Spring admission, the priority deadline is October 1.

Loyola does not offer conditional admission.

All applicants must submit a TOEFL/IELTS score, or be granted a waiver.  The wavier is granted to native English speakers, or near-native English speakers.  The waiver is not granted to applicants who are not able to achieve an acceptable score.  Applicants who do not submit a TOEFL/IETLS score can take the Duolingo's English Proficiency exam online.  This test can be taken at any time and provides a score in two days only.  For more information about Duolingo's English Proficiency exam, please visit their website. 

LLM students are graded on a normalization curve when there are eight or more LLM students in the same class.  Otherwise, professors will assign appropriate grades according to their grading criteria.  Students who take a class with JD students will take the same exam as the JD students.  LLM students who are English language learners will take timed, written exams in a separate room, with additional time, and with an English language dictionary.  LLM students do not get additional time to complete a take-home exam or a research paper. Students may select one or more courses in which a research paper is the method of evaluation for grading; but there is no required research paper.

All foreign law graduates considering taking a bar examination in the United States must understand and appreciate how difficult it is for a foreign attorney to succeed on an American bar examination.  The pass rate for all foreign attorneys on the New York Bar Examination is usually between 30% and 50%.  You can view statistics here.  The pass rate for all foreign attorneys on the California Bar Examination is usually between 10% and 20%.  You can view statistics here.

Many LLM students want to attempt to pass a bar examination in the United States.  Students are responsible for their own bar examination applications.  They must communicate directly with the bar examination office in the state where they wish to take a bar examination.  Most students want to take the bar examination in either California or New York.  Contact information is below.  All bar examination applicants must contact a bar examination office directly to obtain application deadlines, requirements, and procedures. 

California

A foreign attorney who is licensed to practice law in another country may already be eligible to take the California Bar Examination without completing any coursework at an American law school.  A foreign attorney who is not licensed to practice law in another country, but who completed a degree in law, may become eligible by completing at least 20 units of coursework at an ABA-approved American law school.  Twelve of the units must cover at least four separate topics tested on the California Bar Examination, one of which must be Professional Responsibility.

The State Bar of California

845 S. Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90017-2515

P: (213) 765-1000

Main Web Page
Foreign Applicant Information

New York

Graduates of law schools in English Common Law countries may be eligible to take the New York Bar Examination without taking coursework at an American law school, if they meet other requirements.  Other foreign law school graduates must complete a 24-unit LLM degree.  Three courses are required: Legal Research & Writing (at least 2 units), Introduction to U.S. Law (at least 2 units), and Professional Responsibility (at least 2 units).  An additional 6 units must be taken in bar examination topics.  A new pro bono requirement went into effect beginning with the summer 2014 bar examination takers.

New York State Board of Law Examiners

Corporate Plaza Building 3

254 Washington Avenue Extension

Albany, New York 12203-5195

P: (518) 453-5990

F: (518) 452-5729

Main Web Page
Foreign Applicant Information

Below is a sample schedule which could establish bar examination eligibility in both California and New York:

• Legal Research & Writing (3 units – fall semester)
• Introduction to American Law (2 units – fall semester)
• Professional Responsibility (2 units – spring semester)
• Constitutional Law (4 units)
• Evidence (4 units)
• Criminal Procedure (4 units)
• Elective course (3 units)
• Elective course (2 units)

Complete the form and either (1) mail the form to Graduate Admissions, Loyola Law School, 919 Albany Street, Los Angeles CA 90015, or (2) scan the form and send it as an email attachment to amlaw@lls.edu.

Admitted students will receive instructions on how they can pay their tuition deposit online. Students can also pay by mail by sending a check from a U.S. bank account, or an international bank check or money order.

An Enrollment Confirmation form will be sent with the Admit letter and email.  All admitted students must submit the Enrollment Confirmation Form by the assigned administrative deadline in order to accept and confirm their attendance at Loyola.

Any admitted student who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident needs to request a student visa application four months before the program start date.  The Office of Admissions will send you an I-20 request form.  Please complete and return this form with financial support documentation.

Loyola does not offer on-campus housing.  However, we do offer a housing guide and the housing classifieds for registered students. Students in need of housing should research accommodations one to two months before the program start date.

Admitted students interested in applying for an externship need to contact the Career Services Office or LLM program director for a list of law offices where LLM students are eligible to work.  Students will be required to contact the offices directly to confirm availability and start date.  If a position is available, students should send a cover letter, résumé, and any other materials needed.  Students may request an interview before the semester begins.  If you have your own contact for an externship placement please contact Aaron Ghirardelli, LLM Faculty Director, at aaron.ghirardelli@lls.edu.

All admitted students must have health insurance.  You may either (1) purchase the Law School’s health insurance plan, or (2) prove that you have your own health insurance (which is comparable to the Law School’s plan in its protection) by providing the name of the insurance company, your policy number, and the name of the primary policy holder.

Wait for an email from the LLM Office containing a website link where you will either (1) choose the Law School’s health insurance plan, or (2) enter your existing insurance policy information. 

All admitted students are required to submit a photo for their student ID.  Instructions will be sent closer to the start of the program. These instructions will provide guidelines for choosing, formatting, and uploading the photo.

Instructions to purchase parking will be sent closer to the start of the program.  The parking fee will be added to the student accounts record.

Begin planning early.  Finalize your schedule after meeting with the Program Director when you arrive in Los Angeles. Consult and meet with the Program Director during the months leading up to your start date.  You will enroll in coursework using PROWL once priority registration begins.

Admitted students may purchase their books at the bookstore on campus, or anywhere the correct edition of a required textbook is available.  You are encouraged to purchase textbooks after your course schedule has been finalized.   

Orientation is a mandatory event for all admitted students.  Information will be sent before your program start date with the date, time, and room location for the orientation session.