Master of Laws in Admission (LLM)

Emory University School of Law offers a practical, disciplined approach to the study of law that engages students in the roles the law plays in our community, society, and world. Our student-centered focus, innovative programs, and commitment to scholarship prepare graduates to make an immediate and lasting impact.

Emory Law’s LLM can be completed full-time in nine months or part-time in up to four years. Several concentrations are available or the program can be customized to a student’s specific interests through the general study option. The LLM program is open to individuals holding a foreign law degree and/or a US JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

"Emory Law is a global institution, and our ability to offer a variety of programs to train legal minds speaks to our commitment to scholarship, inclusivity, and accessibility."

James B. Hughes Jr., Interim Dean

Why Emory Law?

Emory Law has it all:

• Faculty who are experts in their respective areas of law and dynamic teachers in the classroom.
• Countless opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning.
• Signature programs that build knowledge and skills through a curriculum that both teaches the process and practices the method.
• An environment of support and cooperation that encourages challenging the status quo.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: early deadline, April 15; general deadline, June 30

Spring Semester: early deadline, September 30; general deadline, November 15

LLM Admission

Emory Law's LLM program offers graduates of US and foreign law schools the opportunity to pursue the master of laws degree from one of the top nationally ranked law schools in the United States.

Eligibility

To be considered for admission into Emory Law’s LLM program, candidates must have received the first degree in law that allows them to practice law in their home country prior to LLM enrollment.

US graduates: Applicants must have earned a JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Foreign-educated lawyers: First law degree designations vary by country.

Admission is based on the applicant’s academic training, professional background, personal statement, and professional and academic references. Strong candidates will possess an excellent academic record and serious interest in experiencing legal education in a superior American educational environment.

Language Ability

Students in the LLM program should have English language skills at a level that enables them to read and discuss in class, difficult technical material. Daily class preparation is demanding and students with English language limitations may have difficulty. Only students who feel confident in their English language ability should apply.

For this reason, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of foreign applicants whose native language is not English. A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 100 on the Internet-based test, or 250 on the computer-based test is expected. All aspects of each application are considered and language skills further evaluated through the interview and as such, candidates with lower scores may be considered.

Applicants whose native language is not English but have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction may request a waiver of this requirement. Requests can be submitted via email to llmadmission@emory.edu

Non-native English speaking graduate students, however, are tested separately from the native English speakers in their courses and at times allowed extra time on exams. If a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS is granted during the admission process, the student will be exempt from this accommodation and will be tested as if English were their native language. Therefore, requests for a waiver should be considered carefully and if there is any uncertainty about the language ability, a TOEFL or IELTS score submitted.