Frequently Asked Questions
|
 Print
|
Applying to the LL.M. Program
Supporting Documentation
Admissions Decisions
Degree Requirements
General Questions
Applying to the LL.M. Program
When can I apply for admission to the 2010-2011 LL.M. Program?
The online application form is now available, and we invite you to apply at this time. (There are no paper applications.)
How do I submit an application for admission to the LL.M. Program?
To apply for admission, please follow the Application Procedures. You must submit an online application through our website and send your supporting documentation by postal mail. You may also use the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service to submit your official transcripts and TOEFL score. Please note that LSAC does not transmit recommendation letters, personal statements, and résumés, so you will need to submit these items by postal mail.
What is the application deadline for the 2010-2011 LL.M. Program?
The deadline for application to the 2010-2011 LL.M. Program is February 1, 2010.
Can you send me an application by postal mail?
Because applications must be submitted through the online form, we are not able to distribute applications via postal mail.
Do I need a law degree in order to apply for admission to the LL.M. Program?
Yes, you must possess a J.D. or foreign law degree such as an LL.B. in order to apply. You may also apply if you are currently completing your final year of law school and will receive your degree prior to entering the LL.M. Program.
Are graduates of American law schools permitted to apply for admission to the LL.M. Program?
Yes, American citizens and graduates of American law schools are welcome to apply. Graduates of American law schools are exempt from the TOEFL requirement, but must provide a valid LSAT score. American graduates need not re-register with LSDAS in order to send an LSAT score to UCLA School of Law; providing a copy of your most recent LSAT score report will suffice.
Am I required to declare a specialization when I apply?
If you intend to pursue one of the LL.M. Program's optional specializations, please inform us of your plans in the "Course Selection Information" section of the online application. The information you submit is not binding; if offered admission, you may change your planned course of study before the enrollment process begins.
Does UCLA require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
Yes, applicants are required to submit a TOEFL score. You are exempt from this requirement if your native language is English, or if you possess a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English.
Does UCLA require the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?
If you are a graduate of a non-U.S. law school, you are not required to submit an LSAT score, but must provide a TOEFL score. You are exempt from the TOEFL requirement if your native language is English, or if you possess a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English.
If you are a graduate of an American law school, a valid LSAT score is required. It is not necessary to re-register with LSAC or re-take the exam, but you must provide a copy of your most recent LSAT score report. If you no longer have a copy of your report, please contact LSAC and request that a new report be sent to UCLA School of Law.
Does UCLA require the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?
No, we do not require applicants to provide an IELTS score. Please note that we do not accept IELTS scores in lieu of TOEFL scores. All applicants must provide a TOEFL score or a reason for exemption from the TOEFL requirement.
What forms of financial aid are available?
Please visit our
Financial Aid Opportunities page to learn more about forms of financial aid available to LL.M. students.
Is there a separate application for financial aid?
All applicants receive full consideration for our very limited number of Dean's Tuition Fellowship awards. In the "Finances" section of the online application, you are welcome to bring to the Graduate Studies Committee's attention any additional information that you believe may assist the Committee in making a determination regarding a financial aid award.
Supporting Documentation
How should I submit my supporting documentation?
Please mail your supporting documentation to the address below. To allow for faster processing, please try to send all of your materials in the same single package well in advance of the February 1 application deadline:
UCLA School of Law
LL.M. Program Admissions
Attn.: Vic Telesino
405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476, USA
To submit your official transcripts and TOEFL test scores, you may also use the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service.
What is the preferred format for supporting documents?
Please print your personal statement, résumé, and recommendation letters on letter-size paper (81/2 x 11 inches), and staple them in the top left corner. To allow for faster processing, please do not enclose your documents in a binder or protective plastic cover.
May I submit supporting documents separately, or must they be sent in a single package?
While we prefer that you send your supporting documentation in the same single package, we understand that logistical difficulties may prevent you from doing so. Therefore, you may submit items such as recommendation letters and transcripts in separate mailings.
May I submit my supporting documentation through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service?
If you prefer, you may submit your transcripts and TOEFL test scores through LSAC's LL.M. Credential Assembly Service. (You are not required to use the LSAC service.) The service is most useful for students who are applying to numerous law schools concurrently. For a registration fee of $185, LSAC will transmit copies of your official transcripts and TOEFL scores to each law school to which you apply. Please note that LSAC does not transmit recommendation letters, résumés, or personal statements. If you submit your transcripts and TOEFL scores through LSAC, you will still need to mail your recommendation letters, résumé, and personal statement directly to UCLA at the above address.
How can I determine whether all of my application materials have been received by UCLA School of Law?
After submitting your supporting documentation to UCLA School of Law by postal mail or through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, please allow at least one week for our staff to process these items and update your record in our online system. After that time, please log in to the Application Homepage to view the status of your documentation. (You will see a green checkmark next to each item that has been received. Applications are considered complete and will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee after all items have been received.)
Due to the volume of applications and materials processed, we are unable to respond to individual email inquiries regarding the status of supporting documentation. The application website described above will enable you to track the status of each of your items.
Should I submit a writing sample and/or other supplementary materials?
Please do not send writing samples. Due to the volume of applications received, the Graduate Studies Committee is unable to review writing samples or any other items submitted that are not required in the Application Procedures.
Whom should I ask to write my recommendation letters?
Please supply recommendation letters from knowledgeable persons who can tell the Graduate Studies Committee about your academic qualifications and career interests. If possible, please include at least one academic reference. While employer references are acceptable, letters from academic sources will be viewed more favorably. Please send no more than two letters.
May my references send their letters of recommendation directly to UCLA?
We prefer to receive all of your supporting documentation in the same single package. If that is not feasible, however, you may ask your references to mail their letters to UCLA in a separate envelope.
Do my transcripts need to be translated into English?
Yes, please ask your university to translate your academic transcripts into English. If your university is unable to translate your transcripts, please use a certified translation service.
How can I pay the $75.00 application fee?
You can pay the application fee by credit card at the Application Homepage after submitting your online application. While we prefer this method of payment, you may also submit payment by postal mail with the rest of your supporting documentation. Acceptable forms of payment by mail are U.S. dollar checks or money orders, drawn in U.S. funds, payable at a U.S. bank, and made out to "The Regents of the University of California." Please do not send cash.
Do you grant application fee waivers?
The LL.M. Program does not grant application fee waivers.
Admissions Decisions
When are admissions decisions announced?
The Graduate Studies Committee will begin reviewing an application once it is complete (i.e., all supporting documentation has been received). Decisions are announced on a rolling basis throughout the spring. The earliest notifications are made in January and February, and announcements continue throughout March and April. Applicants are notified of the Committee's decision by email as soon as it is made, and an official letter follows by mail.
Does the LL.M. Program require interviews prior to granting admission?
The Graduate Studies Committee will base its decision upon your online application and supporting documentation. No interviews are required.
If I am granted admission into the program, is a seat deposit required to hold my place?
If you choose to accept the Graduate Studies Committee's offer of admission, you will be required to submit a seat deposit of $500.00 (U.S.) in order to hold your place in the class. Upon admission, you will be notified of the deadline to submit this seat deposit payment.
If I am granted admission into the program but am unable to attend this year, can I defer my studies until the following year?
Yes, if you are offered admission into the LL.M. Program and can offer a compelling reason why you would be unable to attend, you may defer your studies until the subsequent academic year.
If I am not granted admission into the program, how can I re-apply next year?
If you are denied admission to the LL.M. Program, you may re-apply the following year by submitting a new online application when the form is available on our website in October, and re-submitting your supporting documentation by postal mail.
Degree Requirements
Are there any required courses for the LL.M. degree?
Students who do not possess a J.D. or LL.M. degree from an American law school are required to take our one-week summer course, American Law in a Global Context, designed exclusively for LL.M. students. (This course will begin in early August and will lead directly into the Law School's two-day orientation program in mid-August.) This is the only required course; you are otherwise invited to create your own program of study from our rich selection of advanced course offerings.
How many units are necessary to complete the LL.M. degree?
To obtain the LL.M. degree, you must complete a total of at least 22 units over the course of two semesters. You may enroll in a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 14 units per semester. For further information about LL.M. degree requirements, please consult the LL.M. Summary of Academic Standards.
Will I be able to specialize in a particular field of study?
As an LL.M. student, you may pursue an optional specialization in International and Comparative Law, Entertainment and Media Law and Policy, or one of four business-related tracks: Bankruptcy, Business Law, Securities Regulation, and Tax. Additionally, you may develop your own specialization under the guidance of the Director of Graduate Studies. You are not required to pursue a specialization.
Which classes will be offered during the upcoming academic year?
The schedule of classes for each academic year is finalized in mid-July, with course registration occurring in late July. Prior to that time, you may browse the course schedules from the prior academic year and the list of course descriptions to familiarize yourself with the types of courses that you may be able to take. Please bear in mind that due to schedule conflicts and professor availability, some of the listed courses will not be offered during your year of study at UCLA.
Can I take courses in other departments at UCLA for credit toward my LL.M. degree?
You may take one course in another department at UCLA for a maximum of three (3) credits toward your LL.M. degree. (Please consult page 2 of the LL.M. Summary of Academic Standards for specific rules and regulations.) In the past, LL.M. students have taken courses in UCLA departments such as the Anderson School of Management, the School of Theater, Film, and Television, the Political Science Department, and numerous foreign language departments.
Do LL.M. students have to satisfy a writing requirement?
Yes, LL.M. students are expected to satisfy the School of Law's Substantial Analytic Writing (SAW) requirement. You may satsify the SAW requirement in several different ways. Please consult page 1, subsection C of the LL.M. Summary of Academic Standards for further information.
Are LL.M. students permitted to enroll in the Law School's first-year or clinical courses?
Courses in the first-year curriculum (any course listed in the 100 series) and clinical courses (those listed in the 400 series) may be taken only with instructor consent, and subject to space availability. If granted admission to the Law School, you will receive further instructions on how to attempt to enroll in such courses.
General Questions
From which countries do UCLA's LL.M. students come?
For over 20 years, the LL.M. Program has attracted applicants from over 60 different countries throughout the world. For the 2009-2010 academic year, we are pleased to be joined by students from Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Pakistan, The Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.
How many applications does the LL.M. Program receive?
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the LL.M. Program received nearly 1000 applications for admission. Generally, 25 to 30 percent of those who apply are offered admission to the program each year.
How many students enroll in the LL.M. Program each year?
The LL.M. class consists of 60 to 75 students each year.
Will I get a job in the U.S. after earning my LL.M. degree?
Our foreign applicants should be aware that the LL.M. degree, obtained through a one-year Master's program, does not serve as a substitute for the three-year American J.D. on the U.S. job market. If you are committed to finding long-term employment as a lawyer in the U.S., you might consider a J.D. program. Throughout the U.S., most LL.M. students are unable to find permanent employment in the country after graduation. Many more find internships, pursue positions at home, or find employment in a third country. That said, we offer our foreign and American LL.M. students outstanding services designed to improve your success in pursuing the career path you choose. (Please see the next question for further details.)
What types of career services are available to LL.M. students?
The UCLA School of Law Office of Career Services includes a career counselor who is solely devoted to assisting LL.M. students, Ying Cao. In addition to counseling students on an individual basis, Ms. Cao hosts workshops on resume preparation, job interviewing skills, and career networking tips. She also organizes an extremely valuable resource for our LL.M. students, the West Coast International LL.M. Job Fair, hosted each year by UCLA School of Law. The Office of Career Services also prepares students to participate in the international job fair held each year in New York, and assists students interested in pursuing the one-year Optional Practical Training internship allowed under the terms of the F-1 visa.
Will I be able to take the bar exam after obtaining an LL.M. degree from UCLA?
Bar examination qualifications and requirements differ greatly from state to state. (The California State Bar, for example, has very strict exam qualification requirements, and may require that you gain additional U.S. legal experience beyond an LL.M. degree prior to sitting for the exam.) We recommend that you contact the office of the specific state bar whose examination you would like to take to inquire as to whether you will be qualified to sit for the exam after earning an LL.M. degree. This American Bar Association website provides a useful guide to state and local bar associations throughout the country.
Can I enroll in the LL.M. Program part-time and/or take night classes?
As an LL.M. student, you must be enrolled full-time during your two semesters at UCLA. It is not possible to enroll on a part-time basis, and no night classes are offered.
Does the LL.M. Program offer Spring admissions?
The LL.M. Program does not offer Spring admissions. If admitted, you must enter the program when the Fall semester begins in August and complete two semesters of coursework, culminating with commencement the following May.
Do LL.M. students receive guaranteed on-campus housing?
As demand for on-campus housing at UCLA currently greatly exceeds the number of available units, we regret that the university is not able to offer LL.M. students guaranteed on-campus housing. During the summer prior to their enrollment at UCLA, admitted LL.M. students may submit an application for an on-campus Graduate Student Housing unit. As these units are not guaranteed, students who submit applications will be entered into a housing lottery and notified of the result in the late summer.
Fortunately, there are numerous equally attractive off-campus housing options in the neighborhoods surrounding UCLA, and bus services like the Big Blue Bus, the Culver City Bus, and the Los Angeles MTA offer transportation to and from campus. The UCLA Community Housing Office provides a useful guide to securing housing accomodations in local areas. Students also locate off-campus apartments through websites such as Craigslist and Westside Rentals (subscription required). Affordable alternatives like the University Cooperative Housing Association are also available. Admitted students will receive further housing information and application instructions.
What is the cost of tuition?
For the 2009-2010 program, tuition is $45,000. UCLA estimates that students will spend an additional $20,000 on living expenses. (This figure varies greatly among students depending upon expenditures on housing, food, books, entertainment, etc.) Tuition costs for the 2010-2011 program will be finalized during the summer of 2010, and can be expected to increase from the prior year's figures.
How do LL.M. students pay their tuition fees?
UCLA assesses tuition fees in two installments: once in August prior to the start of the Fall semester, and once in December prior to the start of the Spring semester. On each of these occasions, students are required to pay half of the total tuition costs. (For instance, because tuition for the 2009-2010 program is $45,000, students submit one payment of $22,500 in August, and a second $22,500 payment in December.) Further information on the fee payment process will be provided to admitted students during the summer prior to their arrival at UCLA.
Do the tuition fees include health insurance coverage?
Yes, UCLA's Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP) coverage is included in the LL.M. tuition fees. All LL.M. students are entitled to use this coverage and the resources of the UCLA Arther Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. If you already possess health insurance and would prefer to continue using this coverage during your time at UCLA, you may be able to waive the GSHIP coverage and receive a refund for the portion of your tuition fees (approximately $1200) devoted to insurance coverage. Please bear in mind, however, that your own private healthcare coverage must meet UCLA's criteria before a waiver will be granted. For further details, visit this Ashe Center SHIP waiver information page.
Do graduates of the LL.M. Program receive special consideration when applying to the S.J.D. Program?
While graduates or current students of the LL.M. Program are welcome to apply for admission to the S.J.D. Program, they do not receive special consideration for admission beyond what is granted to all other applicants. However, letters of reference from UCLA School of Law faculty will carry significant weight.
Can current LL.M. students transfer into the J.D. Program?
LL.M. students may apply to transfer into the J.D. Program, although the process is very competitive. Please consult the transfer guidelines for further information.
How do I obtain a visa?
If you accept UCLA's offer of admission, you will receive an I-20 AB Request Form to fill out and return to UCLA. You will also be required to send a copy of your passport, as well as financial documents demonstrating that you possess or will possess the necessary funds to pay for the costs of tuition and living expenses. After receiving and processing these documents, UCLA will send you an official I-20 form.
After receiving the I-20 form, you must make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence in order to apply for an F-1 student visa to travel to the United States. Please make an appointment well in advance of the date you intend to travel to the United States, as some embassies and consulates take several weeks (or even months) to process visa requests.
How can I contact the LL.M. Program?
For general inquiries, please email llm@law.ucla.edu.
