Does UT Law School offer specialized LL.M. degrees?
UT Law has three options within the LL.M. program. The first is U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers. This program is available to attorneys from foreign jurisdictions. THis program may be considered a general LL.M., as the students may concentrate in their own areas of interest, such as business organizations, intellectual property law, international & comparative law, or human rights law.
The Global Energy, International Arbitration and Environmental Law specialization option offers a unique opportunity for students. The Center for Global Energy, International Arbitration, and the Environment the only one of its kind, offering a master’s degree in law that explores the intersections between natural resources law, environmental law, and international arbitration. Students in the program take core courses in energy law, international arbitration, and environmental law, ensuring a solid grounding in each field, but will have the flexibility to concentrate in one of the areas through advanced courses. This LL.M. degree option is open to both attorneys with a U.S. law degree and attorneys with a foreign law degree.
The third option within the LL.M. program is in Latin American and International Law. This program is designed to provide the legal practitioner an introduction to transnational law. The focus may be international, or specifically Latin American focus This LL.M. degree program is open to both attorneys with a U.S. law degree and attorneys with a foreign law degree. Students in this program will be required to demonstrate a basic proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese before graduation. In special circumstances, proficiency in another language may satisfy the language requirement.
Do I need a law degree to apply to the LL.M. program?
Applicants who attended law school in another country must have earned the equivalent of the J.D. from an established university. In most countries other than the United States, this is a first degree in law, such as LL.B. If you are in the last year of your law studies and will receive your degree prior to starting the LL.M., you may also apply.
Applicants who have earned a foreign law degree may apply to any of the three LL.M. options.
Applicants who have earned a J.D. from an ABA approved law school in the United States may apply for the Global Energy, International Arbitration & Environment LL.M. or the Latin & International LL.M. Applicants should have a strong academic record.
Orientation for admitted LL.M. students begins mid-August. Fall semester courses begin August 24, 2011. The winter break is from approximately December 15 through January 17. Spring courses begin January 17, 2012. Graduation is May 19, 2012.
You can download an application form
Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, LL.M. applications will be processed through the LSAC LLM Applicant Services. The application period for the 2012-2013 year opens in August, 2011.
The law school curriculum is rigorous and demands a strong command of English.
We require a TOEFL with a minimum score of 101 on the (IBT) internet-based test, 250 on the CBT (computer-based test), or 600 on the PBT (paper-based test). The TOEFL institution code is 6882 03. http://www.toefl.org/
We also accept an IELTS Overall Band Score of 7 or higher. There is no institution code for IELTS. The official score should be sent directly to the LL.M. Program Coordinator at the Law School address. http://www.ielts.org
If you hold a J.D. degree from a U.S. law school you are exempt from the English proficiency test requirement. A 1 year LL.M. from a U.S. law school does not waive the English proficiency test requirement.
Yes. A $200.00 deposit is required to confirm your place in the LL.M. program. The deposit may be paid with a money order, cashier’s check, Mastercard or Discover card. UT does not accept VISA or American Express.
The enrollment deposit will be applied to your fall tuition. If you do not matriculate into the LL.M. program, the deposit is forfeited.
Most of the courses are taken from the J.D. curriculum. There are a few specific requirements for LL.M. students.
LL.M. students with a foreign law degree are required to take "Contracts for Foreign Lawyers", a course designed specifically for the LL.M. students.
Students in the Global Energy, International Arbitration and Environmental Law program will take at least 21 of the required 24 credit hours in core courses in energy law, international arbitration, and environmental law. Students will have the flexibility to concentrate in one of the areas through additional advanced courses.
Students in the Latin American & International LL.M. will take a minimum of 12 credit hours in courses with Latin American or International content. Graduate level classes may be taken at the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies and will count toward this 12 hour requirement.
LL.M. students will enroll in one seminar or a two hour directed research to meet the writing requirement.
The fall class schedule will be posted online in March 2011. Spring 2012 courses will be posted online in October 2011.
Or you may review the course areas and related classes.
Not all courses are taught each semester. There are conflicts that occasionally arise and changes in the schedule may occur.
Course selection and registration is during orientation. Please be aware that the current J.D. students preregister for fall classes in the previous spring semester. We do hold some places in courses that are popular with LL.M. students. However, some courses may be full and it may not be possible to obtain every requested course. However, class schedules may be changed during the first 12 days of class. Many students make changes during this period and are able to obtain preferred classes.
Registration for the spring semester courses takes place in October for all current law students.
Tuition and fees are set by the Texas Legislature and the University Board of Regents and are subject to change without notice. The 2011-2012 tuition for 24 credit hours is $41,202.00 for non Texas Residents and $27,748.00 for Texas Residents.
Living expenses are estimated at about $16,000.00 for the year. This is based on a frugal student lifestyle.
Tuition is assessed and paid by semester. Fall tuition for new students will be due within a few days after registration in late August or early September. Students may pay the full semester tuition, or they may pay in installments.
If the installment option is chosen, the first half is due immediately and then there will be two more installment payments, each one month apart. There is a small fee for the installment option.
The spring tuition will be due in early January. The installment option may be used in spring also.
The fee bill may be paid by Mastercard, Discover, echeck, cash or a check.
Financial aid for international LL.M. students is extremely limited. Applicants are strongly encouraged to investigate other sources of support, such as government or employer grants, scholarships, and loans.
UT Law awards a limited number of reduced tuition scholarships to LL.M. students each year. All admitted applicants are considered for these scholarships.
Non-U.S. citizens may be able to apply for private loans with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen.
U.S. citizens and permanent residence may apply for federal financial aid loans.
Yes, all international students must purchase coverage under the University of Texas student health insurance plan. Individual mandatory coverage will cost approximately $1192 per year. New students will have an additional $93 fee added to cover the 30 days prior to enrollment. Enrollment is automatic and the fee is added directly to the student’s fee bill.
If you have an insurance policy through employment or sponsoring agency that meets the University of Texas requirements, you may petition to waive the mandatory coverage through the International Office. The insurance waiver must be completed and SIGNED by your insurance agent. An electronic signature will not be accepted.
Accompanying F2 dependent insurance coverage (spouse and children) is optional, but strongly recommended. Medical expenses in the United States can be very expensive. For 2009-2010, spouse insurance coverage is $3203 and child coverage is $1730.00. The child coverage includes one or more children. Rates may increase for 2011-2012.
Accompanying J2 dependent coverage (spouse and children) is mandatory.
Each state sets its own standards for admission of attorneys. Requirements differ from state to state. Review the requirements for any state in which you might want to practice and then contact the Board of Legal Examiners in that state. The American Bar Association provides a list of each state’s bar admissions offices and a comprehensive guide for bar admissions.
Many of our LL.M. graduates are eligible to take the New York Bar Exam. The New York State Board of Law Examiners lists the requirements for the New York Bar for foreign attorneys.
Austin is the capital city of Texas and considers itself the “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Austin is a lively and exciting place to live. The quality of life is excellent—the cost of living is very reasonable and the climate is moderate.
The University has limited housing for graduate and professional students.
Information on graduate student apartments (Click on apartments)
Law students do not usually live on campus, as the dormitories are geared toward incoming first year students.
The International Office website provides several links to housing.
There are many private apartment complexes near the University in different price ranges. You will be able to find many amenities in these apartment complexes, such as fitness centers, pools, tennis courts, clubhouses, etc. The UT shuttle bus system provides access to apartments that are further away from campus.
Admittedly, transportation is easier with a car. However, many students do not buy a car and are fine.
The university has a very effective shuttle bus system along with the city of Austin bus system. UT Austin students may ride on the city buses at no charge with their student ID card. Access to the many parts of the city is available through the Capital Metro bus system.
Some students buy used cars fairly inexpensively (sometimes from graduating students). If you decide not to buy a car, it is recommended that you live near the campus, on a shuttle bus route, or a city bus route.