International LL.M.

Is the TOEFL required?
For non-U.S.-trained lawyers, the Law School requires applicants to present either the TOEFL or IELTS score with the application, unless the language of instruction for the applicant’s law classes was English.

What is a competitive TOEFL or IELTS score?
The Law School does not have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score, but your application is more competitive with a TOEFL score at 600 (PBT), 250 (CBT), 100 (IBT) and higher and an IELTS score of at least 6.5. The International Admissions Committee considers the entire application.

Is a letter of recommendation required?
Yes. A letter of recommendation from the dean or a professor of your law school is required.

Is an essay required?
Yes. You must write an essay stating your purpose for applying to the International LL.M. Program.

What material is required to submit an application to the International Graduate Program?

The applicant must submit the following:

1. Master of Laws (LL.M.) application, dated and signed through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). You may apply to Alabama online at www.law.ua.edu/apply and complete the application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). In order to complete the application, you must register with LSAC for the LL.M. electronic application service only. LSAC does not require a fee to create an LL.M. electronic application-only account. You may access the registration and application through a link online at www.law.ua.edu/apply. The Admissions Committee encourages you to apply in the fall to ensure time to process visas and other special documents.
2. US $54 Application Fee (made payable to The University of Alabama). Send check or money order, or you may pay by credit card. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. You may pay by check or money order or you may pay by credit card online at http://www.law.ua.edu/intllmpayment. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted for the online payment. Do not send cash. This fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable.
3. Personal statement.
4. Official transcripts, certificates, and diplomas through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service. See www.lsac.org under “future LLM students” for details. (It is strongly preferred that applicants use the LSAC serviceservice for transcript evaluation. LSAC requires a fee for this service. However, if an applicant is experiencing financial difficulties, official transcripts, certificates, and diplomas from all schools, colleges, and universities attended above the secondary level also will be accepted at the Law School for evaluation. These must be certified by the dean or registrar of each educational institution and translated in English. These transcripts, certificates, and diplomas must come directly from each educational institution.)
5. At least one letter of recommendation from the dean or a professor of the university where you obtained your first degree in law. The letter must be sent directly to the Law School Admissions Office.
6. Resume. Please attach a resume that shows all full-time employment and honors and activities.
7. Completed Certification of Finances (Affidavit of Support); Information for Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status; and Transfer Recommendation of Student’s Non-immigrant Status, if applicable. Please read all instructions very carefully.
8. If you answer “Yes” to any portion of the Code of Conduct or Character and Fitness Section of the application, you must provide a supplementary sheet.
9. Official TOEFL report or IELTS score if language of instruction was not English. The TOEFL report must come directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS), and the TOEFL or IELTS cannot be more than two years old. The tests may be sent directly to the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service or to the Law School.
10. Copy of both photo and visa page of passport.

How do I apply to the International Graduate Program?
You must apply online here through LSAC.

When does the Law School begin accepting applications?
The Law School begins accepting applications on September 1 in the year preceding the year in which you wish to enroll.

What is tuition for the LL.M. Program?
Students in the LL.M. Program are charged out of state tuition or $32,920 for the 2012-13 program. An international student fee is also required.

After I submit my application, when should I expect a decision?
Review of an application begins after a file is complete. You are encouraged to apply early.

Are scholarships available for LL.M. students?
Generally, scholarships are not available.

If I successfully complete the LL.M. Program, may I take the Alabama Bar Exam?
Although the program is intended for lawyers who will return to their home countries, some graduates may decide to take an American bar exam. Each state bar has different requirements to allow someone to sit for its bar exam. Please contact the state bars for details.

For more information on the Alabama State Bar, please click here: http://www.alabar.org/admissions/files/ruleIV.pdf and http://www.alabar.org/admissions/.