Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Texas Law offer specialized LL.M. degrees?

   We offer a single LL.M. degree with multiple concentrations:

   1. Business Law
   2. Cybersecurity Law
   3. Global Energy, International Arbitration & Environmental Law
   4. Human Rights & Comparative Constitutional Law
   5. Independent Study
   6. Latin American & International Law
   7. U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers
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2. Who is eligible for each concentration?

   Applicants with a foreign law degree are eligible for all concentrations. Applicants with a J.D. from an ABA-approved school are eligible for all concentrations except for U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers.

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3. Do I need a law degree to apply to the LL.M. program?

   Applicants must have earned a J.D. from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or the equivalent of the J.D. from an accredited law school or university in another country. In most foreign countries, this is a first professional degree in law (e.g., LL.B.). If you are in the last year of your law studies and will receive your degree prior to starting the LL.M. Program, you may also apply to the Program. See the list of first professional law degrees by country.

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4. Do you have a part-time, distance, or online program?

   The University of Texas School of Law does not offer an online or hybrid (a mixture of online and on-campus learning) LL.M. Program. The LL.M. Program is a full-time degree program and must be completed in person within one academic year. The two academic terms are fall (mid-August to mid-December) and spring (mid-January to mid-May). LL.M. students begin their studies in the fall term, with a mandatory week-long orientation in mid-August and complete their LL.M. degree and graduate in May.

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5. What are the program dates?

   The two academic terms are fall (mid-August to mid-December) and spring (mid-January to mid-May). LL.M. students begin their studies in the fall term, with a mandatory week-long orientation in mid-August and complete their LL.M. degree and graduate in May.

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6. May I transfer credits from another LL.M. program to Texas Law?

   Texas Law does not accept transfer credits into the LL.M. Program. Students currently in another LL.M. Program may apply to the Texas Law LL.M. Program but must take the required 24 credits.

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7. Do I need to take the LSAT?

   The LSAT is not required to apply to the LL.M. Program.

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8. How do I request an application?

   LL.M. applications must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The application opens on September 1 and is due by March 1 for priority consideration.

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9. When is your LL.M. application deadline?

   Our deadline for priority consideration is March 1st. Late applications will be accepted, subject to space availability. The application closes April 15.

   The LL.M. Program currently has 25 spots for each incoming class.

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10. Do my transcripts need to be translated into English?

    If the official law school transcript with final grades and proof of degree are in a language other than English, then literal (word-for-word) English translations are required. However, certified English translations are not required. Applicants must submit all higher education transcripts, including transcripts for study abroad programs, and proof(s) of degree.

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11. Do you require interviews for admission?

    Yes, interviews are required. Applicants will be notified of the process.

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12. Who has to demonstrate English proficiency and what test do you require?

    Applicants with a foreign law degree must demonstrate English proficiency by taking the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. The LL.M. Program requires a minimum total score of 101 on TOEFL iBT (with at least a 24 in each section) and a minimum total score of 7.5 on the IELTS Academic (with at least a 7 in each section). If your test score falls below the minimum requirement, you should address your English language proficiency in your personal statement and/or have your recommenders address your English language skills in their letters. Candidates who receive a score below the minimum requirement on the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS Academic can still apply to the program. However, if admitted, the student may receive an offer of conditional admission.

     

    Score reports are valid for two years, and scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to the submission of the application. Non-native English-speaking LL.M. students who submit a TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score receive extended time on exams. The LL.M. Program does not accept the Duolingo English Test, the IELTS General Training test, MyBest scores for the TOELF iBT test, the TOEFL Essentials test, or the TOEFL ITP.

     

    Applicants are exempt from submitting a TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score if they hold a first professional degree in law from a university where English is the medium of instruction. View the list of qualifying countries. We will be adding Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to the list of qualifying countries for a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS.

    All other applicants must submit an official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score. Foreign LL.M. applicants are eligible to request a TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic waiver if one of the following scenarios apply. Waivers are subject to the sole discretion of the Texas Law Admissions Committee, whose decision is final. Applicants who meet waiver criteria are not eligible for language accommodations, for example, extra time on examinations.

    • You have attended a U.S. university for full-time study for a minimum of four academic years with a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in a post-secondary degree-granting program taught in English, OR
    • You have earned your first law degree from a foreign university in which the sole language of instruction is English in a country that does not appear on the list of qualifying countries. In this scenario, you must upload a letter from your foreign law school verifying that English was the medium of instruction.
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13. Who should write my recommendation letters?

    We strongly recommend that at least one letter of recommendation come from an academic source. However, letters from employers or others who have worked closely with you and can attest to your work product can be very helpful, particularly if you have been out of school for many years.

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14. Do you have a recommendation form?

    LSAC provides an official letter of recommendation coversheet. We recommend letters of recommendation be written on letterhead.

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15. Can letters of recommendation letter be sent directly to the LL.M. Program?

    No, letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC. Visit LSAC for more information.

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16. How do I pay the $75 application fee?

    The fee can be paid online with a credit card through LSAC.

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17. How do I know if my application is complete?

    Applicants have access to an applicant dashboard where they may track the status of their application. After an applicant submits their application, they receive an email confirmation with a link to their Applicant Dashboard as well as their login credentials.

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18. When are admissions decisions made?

    After an application becomes complete, it takes the Admissions Committee a minimum of 4-6 weeks to issue an admissions decisions.

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19. How will I be notified of a decision on my application?

    An email is sent to applicants who are offered admission. This is followed by the official admit letter. Applicants who are not admitted will receive an email with the decision.

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20. If I am admitted, is a deposit required to hold my place?

    Yes, a $500 nonrefundable seat deposit is required to confirm your place in the LL.M. Program. The enrollment deposit will be applied to the student's fall tuition bill.

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21. How do I procure my student visa?

    For information on applying for a US visa, visit the  International Student & Scholar Services website.

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22. If I am admitted, is it possible to defer my arrival until the following year?

    At Texas Law, we expect that all applicants fully intend to enroll in the LL.M. Program in the fall of the year in which they apply. We also understand that individual circumstances related to enrollment can change after applying. Deferral requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Deferrals are limited to one year. To request a deferral, a fully admitted student must submit a formal request via email to LLM@law.utexas.edu, outlining the reasons for the deferral. If approved, the LL.M. Program requires two deposits of $500. One is due immediately, and the second deposit is due by January 15 of the year the deferred student will enroll in the LL.M. Program. Both deposits are applied to the fall semester tuition bill.

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23. How many credits are required to complete the LL.M. Program at Texas Law?

    The LL.M. degree requires a minimum of 24 credit hours. Many courses at Texas Law are three credit hours, totaling roughly eight courses during the academic year.

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24. How many credits do I take per semester?

    Students must be registered full-time to meet Texas Law and immigration requirements. Full-time status is 10-16 credit hours per term. Most LL.M. students register for 10-14 credit hours per term.

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25. Is there a writing/thesis requirement for the LL.M. degree?

    Every LL.M. student must complete a substantial research paper under faculty guidance. Most students satisfy this requirement by completing a 3-credit writing seminar (30-60 double-spaced pages). Alternatively, students may complete a directed research course for at least 2 credits that should result in a paper equal to that of a seminar (30-40 double-spaced pages).

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26. What courses will be offered next year?

    The Class Schedule for fall is posted in March. The Class Schedule for spring is posted in October. The Class Schedule includes past, current, and future courses. Please note, not all courses are offered every term. Additionally, the Class Schedule for a given term is tentative until the term in question begins.

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27. Can LL.M. students take courses in other departments at The University of Texas at Austin?

    LL.M. students may apply a small number of credit hours of non-law courses taken at the University of Texas towards the 24 credit hours required for a LL.M. degree. Courses taken for credit towards the LL.M. degree must be related to a course of study offered in the School of Law and must be graduate level courses.

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28. How do admitted students select and register for courses?

    Course selection and registration for the fall term occurs during LL.M. Orientation. Space is limited in many courses, so not all courses are available. Courses may added or dropped up until the 12th class day. Registration for the spring term takes place in October.

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29. How do I know if I am eligible to pay Texas resident tuition rates?

    The option of establishing Texas residency through high school graduation is available to citizens and residents of the US and to international students.

    The option of establishing Texas residency by establishing domicile is available to citizens and permanent residents of the US. Non-citizens and non-permanent residents may also use this option if they have an application for permanent residency on file with the US Citizenship of Immigration Service. This option if also available to international students who possess an eligible visa.

    For more information, visit Texas Residency.

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30. When must I pay my tuition and fees bill?

    Tuition is assessed and paid by semester, based on the number of credit hours taken. Fall tuition and fees for new students are due in late August after registration, and spring tuition and fees are due in early January after registration. Students may pay tuition and fees in full or  in installments. Visit Texas One Stop for more information.

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31. Do you offer financial aid for LL.M. students?

    Admitted students are automatically considered for internal scholarships, and a separate application is not required. Internal third-party scholarships require a separate application and have their own internal deadline.

    Prospective and admitted international LL.M. students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and scholarships from their home countries. eduPASS and International Student Organization have compiled lists of scholarships for international students. Additionally, the LL.M. Program has assembled a list of external scholarships that are country-specific and criteria-specific.

    Visit Scholarship Opportunities for more information.

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32. What are the medical requirements for incoming students?

    The University of Texas at Austin requires entering students to complete certain medical clearance requirements before they are allowed to register for classes. Visit University Health Services for more information.

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33. Am I required to purchase health insurance?

    The University of Texas Board of Regents requires that all international students enrolled at UT in a visa status of F or J have health insurance (including those applying for F or J status). For this reason, enrollment in the AcademicBlue UT Student Health Insurance Plan is automatic at the time of registration, and the cost of the policy is included in the student’s tuition and fee bill. For more information on insurance, visit the International Student & Scholar website.

    Health insurance coverage for U.S. citizens and permanent residents is optional. University Health Services strongly urges all students to have health insurance. The UT Student Health Insurance Plan provides great, affordable coverage plus an option for dental insurance.

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34. Is it possible to get a part-time job while enrolled at UT?

    Students with F1 or J1 visas may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and vacations. Students interested in on-campus employment often work as research or teaching assistants or for University of Texas Libraries or the UT Co-op. UT has a job database for students. Visit Finding a Student Job for more information.

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35. Can I work in the U.S. after finishing my LL.M. degree at Texas Law?

    Students with an F-1 visa may apply for Optional Practical Training to work up to one year in the U.S. Students with a J-1 visa may apply for Academic Training.

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36. Do students receive help in looking for a job?

    The Career Services Office (CSO) offers assistance to LL.M. students with their job search strategies. This includes discussing job hunt strategies, reviewing resumes and cover letters, practicing interview skills, etc. A CSO counselor specializes in assisting LL.M. students on how to begin exploring their options.

    Students must be proactive in their job search and start early in the first semester.

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37. Does Texas Law participate in any LL.M. job fairs?

    Yes, we participate in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP) at NYU in January. We also participate in the UCLA LL.M. Interview Program at UCLA in February.

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38. Are LL.M. students eligible for on-campus interviews?

    Most employers who recruit at Texas Law are primarily interested in interviewing students in the J.D. Program. LL.M. students are eligible to interview only with employers who are interested in meeting with LL.M. students.

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39. Are there good schools and childcare options?

    The University of Texas at Austin offers a series of family resources, including on childcare, family life services, lactation/quiet rooms, and a Counseling & Mental Health Center.

    Schools in the community includes Austin ISD, Eanes ISD, Hayes ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Pfluggerville ISD.

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40. Do I need to have a car?

    We recommend LL.M. students live as close as possible to the Law School. The Law School address is 727 East Dean Keeton St, Austin, Texas 78705. Download a UT campus map. The Law School consists of 3 buildings: Townes Hall (TNH), the Connally Center (CCJ), and Jesse Jones Hall (JON).

    UT students can ride CapMetro buses (Austin’s regional public transportation provider) for free with their UT student ID card. If you plan to take the bus to campus, download the CapMetro app to make sure you live close to a bus stop and know when the next bus is coming.

    Those who wish to drive to campus must purchase a parking permit. We are located in the heart of Austin, so parking is a challenge. Most lots are on the outskirts of campus, but UT Shuttles can get you to your campus destination with ease. UT Students can ride UT Shuttles for free with the UT student ID.

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41. Can I transfer from the LL.M. Program into the J.D. program?

    No, an LL.M. student cannot transfer to the J.D. Program. They must apply for admission to the J.D. Program via LSAC. The J.D. Program requires applicants to submit a LSAT or GRE score. Upon admission to the J.D. Program, a graduate of an LL.M. program at an ABA-accredited law school may petition to receive credit for one or more courses completed during the LL.M. program as long as the course taken was a J.D. course and the student was graded in a manner comparable to J.D. students in the course.

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42. I took classes at Texas Law as an exchange student. Can I transfer those credits to the LL.M. Degree?

    We are so happy that you loved your experience at Texas Law and that you want to come back for a full year to do the LL.M. degree. The LL.M. consists of 24 credits completed while admitted as an LL.M. student. This means that the credits you took while on exchange at Texas Law cannot count toward the LL.M. degree. However, certain classes you took may count toward concentration requirements - giving you more freedom to take other classes during the LL.M. Program.

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