LL.M. in American Law Program Each year, roughly 70 distinguished lawyers from 25+ countries around the world elevate their professional standing through BU Law’s LL.M. in American Law Program—our advanced degree program designed to prepare foreign-trained lawyers for the challenge of global practice and cross-border work. After a year of rigorous academic training and full integration into the J.D. classroom, these select students obtain one of the most valued degrees in the profession and one of the credentials most recognized by legal employers throughout the world: the BU Law LL.M. degree. The LL.M. in American Law Program is ideally suited for lawyers trained outside the United States who seek:
Program Flexibility: Prepare for the Future You Want The LL.M. in American Law Program is BU Law’s most flexible graduate program. It enables you to develop a truly customized study plan that is aligned with your particular professional and personal goals. All students receive individual, personalized guidance and advice from the Assistant Dean. They can take any of the fundamental first-year J.D. classes—contracts, property, torts, civil procedure, constitutional law, criminal law and legislation—or any of the School’s 190+ upper-class course offerings, covering such fields as:
•
Preparation for cross-border work on matters that implicate U.S. law and the American legal system
•
Instruction by America’s top law faculty: BU Law ranks #1 on The Princeton Review’s “Best Professors” list
•
Full immersion into the American classroom experience at its finest: BU Law offers the sixth-best classroom experience in America, according to The Princeton Review
•
Flexibility to develop customized study plans from 190+ courses in virtually every area of law
•
Civil Rights
•
Commercial Law and Consumer Transactions
Concentration opportunities in the important fields of international business practice and intellectual property law
•
Constitutional Law
•
Corporate Law and Finance
Intensive training in legal writing and legal English communications
•
Criminal Law and Procedure
•
Environmental Law
Individualized academic counseling and professional development support, including post-graduation internship opportunities
•
Family Law and Gender
•
Government Regulation of Trade and Business
•
Health Law and Human Services
An expansive global networking platform with access to 20,000+ BU Law alumni practicing in 75+ countries
•
Intellectual Property Law and Technology
•
International, Foreign and Comparative Law
•
Labor Law and Employment Relations
•
Legal Theory and Legal History
•
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
•
Public Law: Administrative Law and Legislation
•
Real Estate, Land Use and Development
•
Taxation
•
•
•
•
•
An American university experience at its finest, in America’s premier city for studies: Boston, Massachusetts
“
I chose BU Law for its excellent reputation and internationally recognized law degree. The LL.M. program was an incredible learning experience. I developed the analytical skills needed in situations when there are no answers, only questions.
”
Iskandar Mirzoev, Dushanbe, Tajikstan LL.M. in American Law, 2011 LL.B., St. Petersburg University, Russia, 2002 Ph.D. Candidate, North-West Academy of Public Administration, St. Petersburg, Russia
For in-depth exposure to specialized topics in banking, financial law and taxation, students may cross-register in classes in the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law and the Graduate Tax Program. They may also cross-register at other Boston University Graduate Schools, such as the School of Management and College of Communication. A detailed listing of current offerings is available at www.bu.edu/law.
Learn from America’s #1-Ranked Law Faculty LL.M. in American Law students learn from the school’s J.D. faculty— ranked #1 in the United States in both The Princeton Review and The Leiter Report on Law School Rankings. The Princeton Review also ranks BU Law #6 in the nation for “Best Classroom Experience.” Graduates often comment that their BU Law teachers were the best they have ever had: knowledgeable, accessible and committed to supporting the unique needs of the foreign LL.M. students.
Concentrate Your Studies As part of the LL.M. in American Law degree, you can pursue an optional concentration in intellectual property law or international business practice, important fields where BU Law’s reputation is renowned. The School ranks #7 in the nation in intellectual property law, according to the U.S. News & World Report; and the School’s indepth offerings in corporate, business, commercial, banking, tax and financial law topics are second to none.
Personal Attention and Support Speak with any graduate and you will hear about our commitment to support each individual student’s success and how our personal approach contributes to the overall quality of the LL.M. experience. Our students consistently rate the American Law Program a near-perfect 9 out of 10; they regularly describe the year as “the best year of my life.” The Office of Graduate and International Programs (OGIP) serves as your “home away from home,” with its staff available to assist from the moment you arrive.
Professional Development BU Law has a steadfast commitment to the professional development of its LL.M. in American Law students, many of whom seek some U.S. work experience after graduation. A full-time assistant director for professional development and her staff work exclusively with LL.M. students to provide individual counseling and workshops on job search strategies, professional etiquette, networking and interviewing skills. Students meet with advisers one-on-one to receive hands-on guidance in the development of their self-marketing campaigns, including crafting “U.S.-style” resumés, cover letters and writing samples. They also attend career panels featuring practitioners and program alumni from a range of fields. BU Law is one of a handful of schools to participate in an annual job fair in New York—the International Student Interview Program (ISIP)—a rich opportunity for LL.M. in American Law students to connect with international law firms and companies seeking to recruit foreign-trained LL.M. students.
Degree Requirements To earn the LL.M. in American Law degree, students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours (at least 10 credits per semester) and obtain a final weighted average of at least 2.30 (C+) for all courses taken. All students must take Introduction to American Law and a Legal Research and Writing seminar in the fall semester and participate in a spring graduate colloquium, Topics in American Law. The LL.M. in American Law Program is designed to be completed in one academic year of fulltime study. The program follows the J.D. calendar, with classes beginning in late August and ending in May.
Additional Information andApplications Eligibility: All applicants must hold a first degree in law or its equivalent from a law school or law faculty outside the U.S. LL.M. Scholars Program: All LL.M. in American Law candidates are eligible to receive merit-based scholarship awards in the form of generous partial tuition waivers. All applicants are automatically considered, with no additional forms required. Transfer to J.D. Policy: LL.M. in American Law students may apply to the J.D. program as transfer students during the spring semester of their LL.M. year and, if they are admitted, may receive up to 30 credits for their LL.M. studies towards the J.D. degree, consistent with American Bar Association standards. The LSAT test is required for all J.D. applicants. You can learn more about the LL.M. in American Law Program, including the application process and tuition and financial information, at BU Law’s Web site, www.bu.edu/law. Prospective students may contact the Office of Graduate and International Programs at: Boston University School of Law Office of Graduate and International Programs 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1534 Boston, MA 02215 Telephone: +1.617.353.5323 Fax: +1.617.358.2720 E-mail: bullm@bu.edu
“
My year at BU Law was not only about gaining legal knowledge; it was about gaining leadership skills and thinking broadly.
”
Immerse Yourself in the BU Law Community BU Law is a high-energy, dynamic and diverse learning environment. As an American Law student, you will become a vital part of it, fully integrated into a range of events and activities that will expand your intellectual, professional and personal horizons. You will be able to join any of the dozens of student organizations, take part in community service initiatives and attend a rich array of extracurricular events. You can also volunteer to participate in BU Law’s Pro Bono Program, which allows you to use your legal skills in a public interest setting and receive recognition on your transcript for such work.
Laura Ratautaite, Vilnius, Lithuania LL.M. in American Law, 2011 LL.M., Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany, 2009 LL.M., Vilnius University, Lithuania, 2006