LLM (Master of Law) in USA is offered in various specialized fields like taxation, commercial law, social justice, human rights, environmental law, criminology, and others. It is 9 months to 2-year course available as a residential program in most of the universities. Some US universities also offer it as a distance-learning program. International students are required to have a 3-year bachelor's degree in law is required to apply for LLM in the USA.  The average tuition cost for universities offering Master of Law in USA varies between 12,000 USD and 70,000 USD.

Explore Scholarships to study in US

LLM is available in 200+ colleges in the USA. To get into these colleges, international applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in relevant courses with at least an 83-86% score. Additional requirements vary from university to university. Post completion of your LLM degree from the US, you can earn an average salary of approximately 96,200 USD per annum

Top Universities offering LLM in USA

According to QS News Ranking, the following are the top 10 universities in the USA offering LLM or Master of Law program: 

Top Universities Program Offered Tuition Fees (USD)
Harvard University Master of Law 70,430
Yale University Master of Law 69,100
Stanford University Master of Law 66,924
University of California, Berkeley Master of Law 69,857
Columbia University Master of Law 75,572
New York University (NYU) Master of Law 73,216
University of Chicago Master of Law 73,185
Georgetown University LLM General and International Legal Studies 74,340
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Master of Law 67,248
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Master of Law 70,808

Why Study LLM in USA?

Following are some of the reasons that attract the study abroad aspirants towards LLM in USA: 

  • With career opportunities like Diplomat or Policy advisor, the law graduates learn to negotiate treaties and maintain international relations.
  • American Bar Association (ABA) shared the report of steady growth in the number of active lawyers i.e. 8.4% increase in the number of lawyers from 2011 to 2021
  • USA legal studies focus on the Socratic method of teaching to improve the argumentative dialogue among the students which is an important skill for lawyers.
  • Through the academic year, the students get opportunities to work on pro bono cases due to high requirements in legal clinics of USA.
  • Over the past 20 years, from 2000 to 2020, lawyer salaries increased faster than the rate of inflation. Lawyer salaries rose 63% while the inflation rate was 53%.
  • International graduates can practice law without any kind of discrimination in these law firms.
  • Entry-level salaries in legal firms range between 58,000 USD and 70,000 USD.

LLM in USA Course Curriculum

LLM in USA is an abbreviation of Legum Megister (a Latin word) which means Master of Law. Students are required to complete at least 24 units while studying in the USA. Approximately 18 units consist of academic courses and the rest can be completed by attending seminars or submitting a project, depending upon the university. 

Following are some of the common courses taught in LLM in the USA: 

  • Fundamentals of US Law
  • Legal Research & Writing
  • Constitutional Law, Regulations and Public Policy
  • Criminal Justice
  • Legal History and Legal Theory
  • Litigation and Dispute Resolution
  • Social Justice and Human Rights

LLM in USA Admissions 

In the law schools of the USA, the students get the opportunity to work as pro bono and get acquainted with the legal issues. A JD, LLB, or bachelor's degree in law is required for admission in LLM in this country. Most law schools have their own portal for accepting applications. Students should send their transcripts for evaluation to LSAC’s LLM CAS 3 to 5 weeks before applying so that the agency could complete the evaluation on time and forward it to the university. All the other documents must be directly submitted to the university’s address either via post or mail. 

LLM in USA Deadlines

The application deadline in USA universities for LLM mostly lies in the month of December. Some colleges have a rolling admission policy. Some of the deadlines are discussed below:

S. No. Top Universities Deadline
1. Harvard University December 1, 2022 (applications closed)
2. Yale University December 1, 2022 (applications closed)
3. Stanford University April 3, 2023
4. University of California, Berkeley August 2023
5. Columbia University February 15
6. New York University (NYU) June 1, 2023
7. University of Chicago February 1, 2023
8. Georgetown University February 3, 2023
9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) February 1, 2023
10. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor January 15, 2023

Eligibility for LLM in USA Admission

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved US Law School or first degree (JD, LLB or equivalent) from a foreign law school
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 83% at bachelors level (varies with the university)
  • Minimum 2 to 3 years of work experience (depends upon university)
  • Proof of English proficiency

Documents Required for LLM in USA Admission

  • Transcripts of 10th, 12th and bachelors degree
  • Evaluation of foreign transcripts by LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
  • Minimum 2 letters of recommendations
  • Essays based on the questions asked by the university
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • English Proficiency Requirement

US Visa Requirements for International Students 

The USA has different types of visa. F1 is used for those who want to pursue academics in universities in the USA. The US student visa is issued post submission of the following documents:  

  • University Acceptance Letter
  • Migration, provisional, character, and birth certificates
  • Original I-20 signed and approved by both the university authority and candidate
  • GRE scorecard and proof of language proficiency
  • 2 letters of recommendation; Resume; Statement of purpose
  • Financial Proof: Last 6-month’s bank transaction and balance certificate; Sponsorship letter from sponsor and relationship certificate with sponsor
  • Assets valuation
  • SEVIS Fee receipt

Once these documents have been submitted, the applicant will be invited for an interview process. Visa will be issued only if the applicant has cleared their visa interview.

Also Check: 

Cost of Studying LLM in USA 

The total cost of living in USA for any program depends upon the university’s tuition fees, cost of living of the area where the university is located, and lifestyle of a student. Thus, it can be divided into two categories: Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in USA. 


Tuition Cost of LLM in USA

The tuition fees in top universities for LLM in USA is given below:

Top Universities Tuition Fees (USD) Tuition Fees (INR)
Harvard University 70,430 57.62 lakhs
Yale University 69,100 56.53 lakhs
Stanford University 66,924 54.75 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 69,857 57.15 lakhs
Columbia University 75,572 61.83 lakhs
New York University (NYU) 73,216 59.90 lakhs
University of Chicago 73,185 59.87 lakhs
Georgetown University 74,340 60.82 lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 67,248 55.02 lakhs
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor 70,808 57.93 lakhs

Cost of Living in USA

The major contributor to the cost of living for an international student is housing in the USA. On-campus housing is obviously more convenient than off-campus accommodation but most of the universities have only limited space available. Other costs include meal plans, transportation, health insurance, etc. 

Type of Accommodation Average Monthly Expenses (in INR)
Accommodation 7.22 lakhs - 10.84 lakhs
Books and Supplies 1.80 lakhs
Meals 2.25 lakhs
Transportation 1.08 lakhs – 2.25 lakhs
Personal Expenditures 3.38 lakhs
Health Insurance 1.50 lakhs

Scholarships for LLM in USA

Due to high tuition fees, international students opt for scholarships in the USA to waive off the cost. Though LLM in the USA is a 9-10months course program, the students require scholarships for easy completion of the course. The commonly availed scholarship in USA  and its amount is given below 

University Scholarship Offered Amount
Harvard University Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Full tuition fees; living expenses; travel allowance
Stanford University Fulbright scholarship Tuition fees and travel allowance
New York University  Hauser Global Scholars Program 18,75,038 INR
University of California, Berkeley Fulbright Scholarship 15,00,000 INR to 30,00,000 INR 
Columbia University Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship Full or partial tuition fee
Georgetown University  General Merit Scholarships Vary
University of California, Los Angeles  UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program Partial tuition fees

Details on more scholarships available for international students in the USA can be found here

Job Prospects for LLM in USA 

The graduates of LLM from the USA can try Optional Practical Training (OPT). At least 6 months before completion of the degree, the LLM students should apply for this training. The maximum duration for OPT is 12 months. The job can be on a contractual basis, paid or unpaid. After completion of the OPT, graduates can apply for an H1B visa to start working under a US employer. Every year 65000 H1B visas are being issued for foreign nationals.

You are required to pass the Bar examination of the state in which you are interested to practise as a lawyer. Most of the states, including New York and California, allow students to take this examination even with a foreign degree in law. However, approximately 23 states of the USA have this rule that only those students will be allowed to sit for the Bar exam who have a degree from ABA-approved law school. Thus, pursuing LLM in USA becomes necessary for international students with a foreign bachelor's degree in law to practice in these states. 

Two of the most prominent jobs in USA available for graduates having a degree in LLM are: 

Job Profile Annual Salary in USD
Legal Advisor 115,000 USD
Legal Counsel 133,000 USD
Associate Attorney 118,000 USD
Attorney 192,000 USD
Legal Associate 86,400 USD
Legal Consultant 119,000 USD

Also Check:

LLM in USA v/s LLM in UK

Parameter LLM in USA LLM in UK
Duration 9 months to 2 years 9 months to 1 year
Average Tuition Fees 66,924-75,572 USD (54.73-61.81 lakhs INR) 19,500 GBP – 43,355 GBP (19.33-43 lakhs INR)
Cost of Living 2,280 USD (1.85 lakhs INR) 1,120 GBP (1.11 lakhs INR)
Percentage Required 83-86% 60-70%
English Language Proficiency Tests IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100+ IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100+
Work Experience 2-3 years Not necessary but recommended
Average Salary 107,000 USD (87.51 lakhs INR) 83,000 GBP (82.31 lakhs INR)

Other than the USA and UK, there is a high demand for law graduates in Canada. The job markets for law graduates in Canada are not only concentrated on the law firms but can also work as legal advisors in the banking as well as administrative sectors.

FAQs

Ques. What are some of the best universities offering LLM in USA?

Ans. Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, New York University School of Law, University of California Berkeley, and Columbia University are some of the top universities offering LLM in USA.

Ques. Can I do LLM in USA after LLB in India?

Ans. Many universities of USA accept students having a 3-year bachelor's degree in law. However, some of the universities give preference to applicants having a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. So, you must check the eligibility criteria of college/university you wish to apply for.

Ques. What is the cost of LLM in USA for Indian students?

Ans. Total tuition fees of universities offering LLM in USA are between 62,000 USD to 71,000 USD. This is equivalent to 47,00,000 INR – 54,00,000 INR. Also, the living cost in USA for international students is approximately 15,000 USD per annum.

Ques. What are the job opportunities available after pursuing LLM in USA?

Ans. You can work as an associate attorney and attorney lawyer after completion of LLM in USA. The average salary earned by the graduates is 96,200 USD per annum.

Ques. How much time does it takes to complete LLM in USA?

Ans. LLM in USA can be completed within 9 months to 1 year from top ranking universities.