LL.M in U.S. Legal Studies

In this in-person program, international professionals are integrated into Western State’s rigorous J.D. classes where they learn alongside American law students how to analyze legal questions and advocate for clients in the American legal system. Courses are taught by experienced faculty who are experts in their fields and who will challenge students to think critically and creatively. Classroom discussions will benefit from diverse perspectives and backgrounds from different countries and cultures.

Graduates of the program will gain a broad understanding of the U.S. legal system, know the basics of several specific areas of American law, perform modern American legal research, and gain the legal analysis skills crucial for advocacy on behalf of a client in the United States. This program is designed for international students who are qualified to practice law in another country and are seeking to qualify to take the California Bar Exam. The program length is two semesters (nine months).

For more information about Tuition, click here.

• LL.M Students get a “jump start” with a week-long Introduction to the U.S. Legal System course before regular classes begin so that LL.M students can learn how to succeed in American law classes
• LL.M students learn alongside American law students, gaining critical thinking and advocacy skills necessary to compete in a global market
• Small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1
• All LL.M students are invited to take advantage of the law school’s variety of extracurricular and social activities
• Located near Orange County’s beaches, courthouses, law firms, business centers, financial districts, technology hubs, and outdoor shopping malls
• Earn your L.L.M. in 9 months

• Apply through LSAC, selecting LL.M program
• You must have a law degree or its equivalent from the country in which you are qualified to practice law
• Prove your English language proficiency with a TOEFL Digital Exam Score of 90 or above (not required if your native language is English)
• Submit your transcripts via LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required/recommended
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Submit a personal statement
• Submit your résumé or curriculum vitae
• Eligible, qualified applicants will be invited to interview via video conference. This is an important part of the evaluation process and is required for admission

Learn how to apply to the LL.M. program by clicking the below button.

Please note that you will need to have your transcripts evaluated by a third-party service, and you will need to satisfy our English language proficiency requirements. These requirements are explained in the application in detail.

Interviews will be granted to prospects by March 1, and decisions will be rendered by May 1. Interviews are a mandatory, important part of the admissions process. Our admissions team will reach out to you if you are selected for an interview.

If you have any questions about the application, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions department.

October 20 – February 17: Application is open

February 23 – March 1: Invitations to Interview will be sent to qualified applicants

May 1: Admissions decisions will be completed, at which time accepted students will need to immediately begin the process to apply for a student visa. Western State College of Law cannot guarantee that the United States government will grant a student visa application.