LL.M. Applicants
How to Apply: LL.M. in American Legal Studies
Please review the application instructions, English proficiency requirements and tuition information on this page as you begin the application process for the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Legal Studies.
Application Instructions
Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will be accepted beginning September 1, 2023. Students applying for admission to the LL.M. program should submit the following after registering with the Credential Assembly Service at LSAC.org:
- Completed online application by March 1, 2024 deadline
- C.V. or resume
- A statement of interest describing your purpose for pursuing the LL.M. as well as your professional goals
- At least two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to complete the LL.M. program
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and law school programs attended
- $55 application fee
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required for admission to the LL.M. program. Upon admission, you will be required to submit financial documents verifying that you have savings to cover the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, living expenses and mandatory health insurance) for the academic year in which you will be enrolling. You will be required to submit these documents before an I-20 form will be issued to you.
Students who complete the LL.M. and subsequently wish to pursue J.D. degree through the Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers program at KU Law must take the LSAT exam and satisfy all other requirements for admission to the J.D. program. Students may not receive dual credit toward the J.D. for courses completed during the LL.M. program but may receive up to 30 transfer credits from their undergraduate law degree.
Proof of English Proficiency
Except for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, proficiency in English is a requirement for all LL.M. candidates. Foreign students who speak English as a first language, or who obtained a law degree at an institution with instruction in all courses in English, may have the TOEFL requirement waived. For all other students, students must submit a TOEFL score report.
Students with an iBT TOEFL score above 95 are presumptively proficient. Students with scores below 95 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to attend KU’s Legal English Program prior to and/or during their enrollment.
LSAC's TOEFL code for the CAS is 0058.
Legal English Program
The KU School of Law offers an intensive Legal English Program for entering international students through KU's Applied English Center. The four-week summer program helps students develop specialized training, presentation, legal research and legal writing skills to prepare them for law school coursework and for legal practice.
The program is available to students who have been admitted or provisionally admitted to the LL.M. in American Legal Studies, Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers, or J.D. programs at KU Law.
To learn more, visit the Applied English Center's webpage for the program.
Tuition & Fees for LL.M. Students
Tuition and fees for non-residents for the 2023-2024 academic year are $24,798 for 24 credits. Tuition and fees for Kansas residents for 24 credits for 2023-2024 are $19,542. Please note that all students with J-1 or F-1 visas are considered non-residents for the purposes of tuition.
All law students pay a required campus fee of $1,014 per year. These fees entitle the student to course instruction, dispensary care for ordinary illnesses and special medical care at nominal rates, the use of the Kansas Union, and admission at reduced prices to most campus events, such as concerts, plays, films, lectures and athletic events.
Students pay tuition on a per-credit basis based upon residency classification. All LL.M. students must complete 24 credit hours in classroom courses. Students may also enroll in a maximum of 6 additional credits beyond the required 24 credits.
LL.M. Tuition & Fees Summary: 2023-2024
The table below outlines tuition and fees for non-resident and Kansas resident students pursuing the LL.M. in American Legal Studies during the 2023-2024 academic year.
| Estimated Annual Expenses | Kansas Resident | Non-Resident (visa holders) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per credit hour (24 hours) | $772 | $991 |
| Campus Fees | $1,014 | $1,014 |
| Total for Tuition/Fees | $19,542 | $24,798 |
| Room and Board | $11,758 | $11,758 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,602 | $2,602 |
| Transportation | $3,298 | $3,298 |
| Books | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| Cost of Attendance | $38,740 | $43,996 |
*Costs for room and board, personal expenses, transportation and books are estimates determined by the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Review the Estimated Cost of Attendance from the Office of Financial Aid.
International Scholar Scholarships
International students applying for the LL.M. in American Legal Studies are automatically considered for the International Scholars Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 per year for qualified applicants. The Admissions Committee will consider candidates for the award based on the following criteria:
- Strong academic performance as evidenced by transcripts and TOEFL results
- Geographic diversity
