LL.M In US Legal Studies

The LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies is a unique opportunity for foreign-educated lawyers and law graduates to understand the American legal system.

The program is a full immersion experience that places LL.M students in the same in-person classes as J.D. students. 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 comprehensive understanding of the U.S. legal system, know the basics of several specific areas of American law, learn the ethics that apply to advocates, perform modern American legal research, and gain the legal analysis skills crucial for advocacy on behalf of a client in the United States. Graduates will be prepared to work in an American law office or similar setting.

This program is designed for international students who have completed their first degree in 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.

• Generous scholarship opportunities are available
• LL.M Students get a “jump start” with a week-long Introduction to the US Legal System course before regular classes begin so that LL.M students can learn how to succeed in American law classes
• The program was specifically designed to qualify international students to take the California Bar Exam
• Small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1
• Dedicated personal career counselors are available
• 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

1. A first professional degree in law
2. An English language proficiency test score or a waiver. The tests we accept are the TOEFL (a 93+ iBT score is preferred) or IELTS (a 7.0+ score is preferred)
3. Completion of the LL.M application

Click the Apply Now button to view and fill out the application for Western State College of Law at Westcliff University’s LLM Program. You will be able to attach all necessary documentation within the application itself.

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.

Please allow 3-6 weeks for a decision to be rendered once your file is complete. You may be contacted for an additional online interview as part of your application. Our admissions team will reach out to you if you are selected.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our admission department.

Application Deadline for Spring 2024 Start (January)
F-1 Students Living Outside of the U.S. : October 20, 2023
F-1 Students Living in the U.S. : December 1, 2023

Application Deadline for Fall 2024 Start (August)
F-1 Students Living Outside of the U.S. : May 20, 2024
F-1 Students Living in the U.S. : July 1, 2024