In 1999, Temple University launched a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) program in Beijing to educate public and private sector legal professionals in U.S. and international law. This program is the first foreign law degree granting program approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education. From the 2022 academic year, the LL.M. program is part of a Dual Degree program operated in collaboration with Tsinghua Law School. Students who complete the requirements of both Tsinghua and Temple will receive a Juris Masters (JM) from Tsinghua and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Temple.

Admissions Information | 招生信息

To be eligible to apply, applicants must have received one of the following degrees from an accredited university degree program:

  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.) or higher law degree

Alternatively, individuals who have passed the Chinese National Judicial Examination may apply for the program.

Those admitted will have excellent school records, strong letters of recommendation, and English competence. The Admissions Committee carefully examines all parts of the application. The Beijing LL.M. program does not require applicants to take the LSAT, however we do require the TOEFL or equivalent English assessment exam (see Application Procedure below for specific requirements).

The Admissions Committee carefully examines all parts of the application. The committee reads all files thoroughly and considers each application on an individual basis. All committee decisions are final. Interviews will be conducted at our discretion. We will contact the applicant if the Admissions Committee feels that an interview is necessary.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible. Applications must be received before August 10, to begin study in early September of the same year. Late applications may be accepted if space is available.

The Admissions Committee mails admissions on a rolling basis. We will review applications as quickly as possible. Once an admissions decision is reached, the applicant will be notified immediately via email and postal mail. We will also send materials by fax when requested.

Application Procedure | 申请程序

Apply Online | 在线申请

To apply, please go to: https://lawgradintl.temple.edu/

Only online submissions are accepted.

  1. Select “LL.M. in Beijing”
  2. Select “Apply Now” and complete the application as outlined, below:

Digital Signature Permission
Print, sign, and send directly to the Temple-Tsinghua LL.M. program office, Beijing.

Electronic Submissions
Complete the Beijing LL.M. Application Questions, submit a two-page, double-spaced personal statement and one-page resume.

Material Submissions
Submit your RMB 300 yuan application fee, law school transcript(s), and TOEFL or English assessment scores to the Temple-Tsinghua LL.M. program office, Beijing.

Recommendations
Referees may submit recommendations accompanied by the Temple Recommendation Form directly to the Temple-Tsinghua LL.M. program office, Beijing, or they may submit electronic recommendations.

Application Signature
Submit using your online application signature.

Additional Submission Details:

All applicants must take an English assessment exam and arrange to have the testing agency send an official score report directly to Temple Law School. There are several options for this requirement:

For applicants who take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 89 (internet-based exam) points is required for admission consideration.

For students who take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a minimum band score of 6.5 is necessary for admission, with no score below 6.0.

Students may also submit test scores from Duolingo. Applicants with scores above 100 will be considered for admission.

Temple administers an English Assessment Exam (EAE) for purposes of this Program. The Temple EAE is generally offered each May in Beijing. The Temple EAE is based on the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP) and its Listening Comprehension Test (MELICET-L).

所有申请者需参加英语评估考试。

如申请者有两年内有效英语成绩者(托福 89 分(含 89 分)或雅思 6.5 分(含)以上(单项成绩不低于 6.0)),可免考英语笔试,直接参加面试。无有效英语成绩者,可以参加清华 / 天普美国法学硕士项目办公室每年在五一假期前后为申请者举办的免费英语考试。

Official transcripts (final grade reports or mark sheets) and certificates of law degree completion must be submitted to Temple Law. A certified English language translation must also accompany transcripts that are not issued in English. An acceptable official transcript is one that has been submitted directly to Temple Law from the issuing overseas university under seal in an envelope sealed by your university. Transcripts that have been opened and handled by the applicant are not considered acceptable.

A carefully worded personal statement must be provided. This statement should include any additional information you think might be helpful to the Admissions Committee concerning your personal history, professional interests, and abilities. The committee wants to know you as a person and as a professional. Sign your name and write the date at the end of this statement to certify that the essay is true and your own work product.

Students must submit two letters of reference from either law professors or legal employers well acquainted with your academic abilities or professional skills. Applicants should provide reference forms to the person serving as referee. 

Notification | 录取通知

Once a completed application has been submitted, the Admissions Committee will review and make its admission decision. In general, an admitted student should come to the program office to pick up his or her acceptance letter. The applicant may also request the program office to mail the acceptance letter (for security reasons, the acceptance letter will be sent “payment upon receipt”). Applicants who choose to attend the program must sign and return all required documents to the program office within 15 days upon notification of their acceptance.

Admission Deposit | 入学押金

Each admitted student is required to make a deposit in the amount of RMB 2,500 yuan to secure their place in the program.

Taking the Bar Exam | 律师考试

Most U.S. states require applicants to hold a J.D. degree to seek admission to the Bar. However, a few U.S. states have historically permitted graduates of an LL.M. program, who do not hold a J.D. degree, to sit for the bar examination if they meet other requirements related to both their prior degree and the types of credits earned during the LL.M. program. A separate Board of Law Examiners for each state establishes and periodically revises the requirements for admission. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction.