Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program

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The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program is designed primarily for graduates of foreign law schools wishing to study U.S. law and legal methods, and for foreign and U.S. law graduates seeking careers in legal education or government service. Admission is limited to qualified students who have proven ability in the study of law.

Candidates for the LL.M. degree must satisfy the following to earn their degrees: 1) must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 and accumulate fewer than three exclusion points during each academic year of enrollment; 2) successfully earn a minimum of 24 semester credits; 3) complete two semesters in residence. A semester in residence is one in which a student enrolls in a minimum of 12 credits towards the degree and receives grades of D or better for at least nine of those 12 credits; 4) satisfy the Law School’s upper-level writing requirement by completing at least one substantial research paper; and 5) conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Law School’s academic and non-academic student conduct requirements.

LL.M. students are generally enrolled in courses and seminars with upper-level J.D. students. For program and admission details, contact the Office of Graduate Studies, University of Virginia School of Law, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903, or visit www.law.virginia.edu/graduatestudies.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion of the Master of Laws at the UVA School of Law, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).