Frequently Asked Questions

Most LL.M. students have a first degree in law. However, we may also admit students without a law degree who have passed the lawyers license exam in their home countryor have another recognized law practice credential. Please contact us for more information.

You can apply using LSAC, orcomplete an Application for LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers. Please only apply once. If you use LSAC’s credential evaluation service (CAS only) to have your transcripts evaluated, you will need to complete the online Temple LL.M. application available above.

March 15 for Fall admission and October 15 for Spring admission.

Admissions are made on a rolling basis, and applicants with completed applications are generally notified within 7-10 business days of the final decision.

If English is your native language or you earned a university degree within the last few years in which English was the language of instruction, the requirement may be waived.

We offer a Conditional Admission program for applicants who are academically qualified, but fall slightly below the desired language scores. These students may be required to complete a four-week or seven-week intensive English-language course at Temple’s Center for American Language and Culture as a condition of admission.

Temple’s Institution Code is 2906. The Law School Department Code is 03. If using the LSAC’s LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, please visit LSAC’s website.

Yes, all documents submitted must be in English. Translations must be provided and certified by a credentialed evaluation service. Please see our Transcripts and Degree Verification requirements for more information.

No, however, we welcome the opportunity to meet you in person, if you are visiting Philadelphia, or through video chat. We would be pleased to answer any questions that you have. Please contact karen.mcmichael@temple.edu to set up a time to meet.

The tuition varies based on whether you attend on a full- or part-time basis. Please see our Tuition Fees page for up-to-date information. Students on F-1 student visas may only attend full-time.

Temple Law offers partial tuition scholarships based on need and merit. The amount of any award offered will only be indicated after a final admissions decision has been made. Even without financial aid, Temple’s LL.M. tuition is extremely competitive when compared to the tuition at many other U.S. law schools.

Please visit our Financial Aid for Graduate Students page for more information.

The application fee may be waived upon request.

Tuition is due in two installments with the due dates posted on the Bursar’s Website.  Full-year students commencing in the Fall semester are required to make their first in mid-September of that same year. The second payment is due in January of the second year. If you are unable to make the payment as scheduled, you will automatically be enrolled into a Deferred Payment Plan.

Temple also offers a TIPP (Tuition Installment Payment Plan) which students can sign up for in order to break up tuition payments into 5 smaller monthly payments for each semester. You can enroll in the TIPP plan here.

Only under a limited set of circumstances can international LL.M. students work while they are taking classes. As most LL.M. students are on student visas, they can only work on campus or, in certain instances, off-campus if they receive written authorization through Temple University ISSS. Moreover, full-time students rarely work while pursuing their LL.M. degree, as the amount of time needed to prepare for classes and exams is substantial. F-1 visa students approved for campus employment may only work part-time (not more than 20 hours per week) under U.S. immigration regulations.

U.S. permanent residents who plan to work while studying may consider attending on a part-time basis. International students on student visas, however, must be enrolled full-time.

Please review our Taking the Bar Exam page for more information.

Students must consult with the New York Board of Law Examiners to understand their eligibility. We have posted a brief summary of the steps required of foreign-trained lawyers seeking admission to the New York Bar on our website.

F-1 visa students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), depending on the current regulations, to temporarily work in the United States after graduation. Students must find their own employment sponsors, although our office assists students in drafting resumes, preparing for interviews, and connecting with our alumni to support their job searches. Most of our LL.M. graduates, however, return to their home countries shortly after their graduation.

Post-LL.M. J.D. Study

Admission to Temple’s J.D. program is not automatic with admission to the LL.M. program or upon completion of the LL.M. degree. In the past, a limited number of LL.M. students have gained admission to Temple’s J.D. program. These LL.M. students have had an excellent LL.M. grade point average and strong letters of recommendation from their professors.

Only students who have completed the LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers entirely at Temple’s main campus in Philadelphia may be eligible for post-LL.M. J.D. study at Temple.  Students who have completed other Temple LL.M. degrees, or who have earned LL.M. degrees at other law schools, are ineligible.

The Faculty Admissions Committee has sole discretion to determine whether to admit an LL.M. graduate to the J.D. program as well as any LL.M. credits that may be counted toward the student’s J.D. degree. For more information, please contact J.D. admissions at lawadmis@temple.edu.

LL.M. graduates who wish to apply to Temple’s S.J.D. program must satisfy that program’s independent admission requirements.

The LL.M. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers is a program of general legal studies with two required courses (Legal Research & Writing and Introduction to the American Legal System), an advanced writing course, a first-year JD course, and a series of electives. Students may select all electives based on their interests in consultation with the program director. Students may earn degree credits at our campuses in Philadelphia, Tokyo, and Rome.

The LL.M. in Transnational Law is for students who have earned a first degree in law in a common law country, and all coursework must be in international law. Students may take courses at any Temple campus, but must study outside their home country for at least a summer session. As all coursework is in international law, the LL.M. in Transnational Law will not likely qualify students for U.S. bar examinations.

A limited amount of housing for graduate students is available, although most LL.M. students live in nearby private, off-campus housing. If you are looking to meet potential roommates, please contact our office. Please also visit the Temple University Housing Office website for other housing options.

Generally, orientation is held in early August, and classes begin the last week of August, extending into mid-May of the following year. Please consult the academic calendar for the exact dates.

Requests to defer are handled on a case-by-case basis, but are frequently granted. Please contact our office regarding these requests.

Please see our Study Tracks page for our various informal specializations.