International students can immerse themselves in the U.S. legal system and strengthen their career prospects with our LLM in American Law. Designed for lawyers or barristers educated outside the U.S., the LLM degree provides the skills and credentials necessary for taking the bar exam and working in the United States.
LLM Program Overview
Join a welcoming, close-knit cohort, where LLM students’ legal interests range from intellectual property to immigration law to human rights. And everything in between.
- Master of Laws in American Law (LLM) degree
- Full-time program
- Two consecutive semesters (fall and spring)
- Starts in August
- $59,900 USD tuition (2024–2025)
Scholarships
New England Law’s merit scholarships are open to LLM in American Law students, and all applicants are automatically considered for these generous awards. There is no separate scholarship application.
Location and Living Arrangements
With our ideal location in downtown Boston, New England Law is a short walk to the city’s top attractions and legal institutions, including the State House, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Financial District, and many prestigious law firms.
Off-campus housing is also easy to find and access, given our housing resources for admitted students and proximity to public transportation.
Faculty
LLM program director David Siegel joins New England Law’s uniquely accessible faculty in helping LLM students make a seamless transition to the U.S. Their expertise spans the breadth of legal discourse, and they have held such positions as Chief Justice of the MA Superior Court and Director General of the Human Rights Department for the Organizations for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Alumni
New England Law alumni live and work in 29 countries and all 50 U.S. states. They work in virtually every legal specialty and hold positions such as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor, Desk Officer with the U.S. Department of State, and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers NBA team.
Related: Where our Graduates Work
Professional Preparation
From a comprehensive orientation to postgraduate advising, international students get the support they need to succeed.
The LLM in American Law program begins with an orientation on American legal education and culture to help students adjust to living and learning in the U.S. LLM students also enroll in our Academic Excellence course for first-year JD students; this course focuses on legal analysis skills and provides students feedback on practice U.S. law school exams.
Curriculum and Legal Specialties
LLM students can choose from more than 100 courses, including Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Ethics of Lawyering. LLM students can also specialize in many legal areas, including:
- Business Law
- Civil Litigation
- Compliance
- Criminal Law
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Immigration Law
- Intellectual Property/High Technology Law
- International Law
- Public Interest Law
- Real Estate/Land Use Law
- Trusts and Estates Law
- Tax Law
Career Advising
LLM students have full access to the school’s Career Services Office, including one-on-one career counseling, professional development resources, and job and internship postings.
Bar Exam Preparation
LLM students who wish to sit for the bar exam can take advantage of New England Law’s extensive bar exam training and advising programs, which are included in their regular tuition.
LLM Program Details
Our LLM in American Law provides our graduates qualification for a one-time, one-year visa extension for practical training that permits work in the U.S. legal sector, as well as increased eligibility to sit for certain U.S. bar examinations.
Admission Requirements
- Law degree or equivalent from a university or law school outside the United States
- Application form
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Transcript and transcript analysis
- TOEFL or IELTS score (minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 7.0 for IELTS)
- Statement of financial proof
- Visa information (see below)
Degree Requirements
- 24 credit hours (approximately 10 courses)
- 2.2 minimum grade point average
- Course and writing requirements: Constitutional Law, Law and Ethics of Lawyering, Substantial Writing Requirement (may be satisfied by the completion of a seminar or Legal Research and Writing I, II, or III)
Visa Information for Nonimmigrant Students
New England Law | Boston offers assistance with the visa process. Applicants must comply with U.S. immigration laws. Nonimmigrant students should be aware that any visa or entry requirements of the U.S. government are the responsibility of the student. In addition, nonimmigrant entrants from all countries may be required to register with the federal government.
Entry requirements and visa information are available at:
Take the Next Step