LLM is a postgraduate degree for students who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to practise law. The graduation requirements differ depending on the university. The one-year full-time programme provides law professionals with specialised knowledge and prepares them to function in a multinational legal environment. LLM programmes at premier universities in the United States teach international students the legal concepts of the host country. It assists lawyers in relocating and practising in foreign countries and dealing with global concerns. Nonetheless, even after finishing an LLM, international students may be required to pass a bar exam to practise law in the United States. 

LLM in USA: Course Highlights

Program

LLM - Latin Legum Magister

Duration of the Course

2 years

Eligibility

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved US Law School  with 3.0+ GPA

Entrance Exams

IELTS,TOEFL,PTE, GRE ETC. 

Tuition Fees

62,000 USD - 71,000 USD.

Jobs

Legal Advisor, Legal Counsel, Associate Attorney, Attorney, Legal Associate, Legal Consultant. 

Average Salary

$58,000 Onwards 

Why Study LLM in the USA?

The following are some of the factors that entice study abroad students to pursue an LLM in the United States:

  • Legal studies in the United States emphasise the Socratic method of teaching in order to strengthen students' argumentative debate, which is a crucial ability for lawyers.
  • Law graduates who pursue careers such as Diplomat or Policy advisors learn how to negotiate treaties and maintain foreign relations.
  • Starting salaries in law firms range between 58,000 and 70,000 USD.
  • The American Bar Association (ABA) released research that showed a consistent increase in the number of active lawyers, with an 8.4 per cent increase from 2011 to 2021.
  • Lawyer incomes have risen faster than the rate of inflation during the last two decades. Lawyer earnings increased by 63 per cent while inflation was 53 per cent.
  • International graduates are welcome to practise law in these companies without fear of prejudice.
  • Due to the high criteria in legal clinics in the United States, students have the opportunity to work on pro bono cases throughout the school year.

Who can Study LLM in the USA?

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved law school in the United States or a first degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a foreign law school
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 83 per cent at the bachelor's level (varies with the university)
  • 2 to 2 years of work experience is required (depends upon university)
  • Evidence of English proficiency

Best LLM Schools In USA

Here are the top LLM schools in the USA:

S.no 

QS World Ranking 2023

University

City 

#5

Harvard University

Cambridge

#18

Yale University

New Haven

#3

Stanford University

Palo Alto

#27

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley

#22

Columbia University

New York

#39

New York University (NYU)

New York

#10

University of Chicago

Chicago

#=281

Georgetown University

Washington DC

#44

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles

#25

University of Michigan – Ann Arbour

Michigan

Cost of Studying LLM in USA

The United States has historically been an expensive place to live. The cost of studying LLM in the United States may also include living expenditures and university tuition fees. Let us expose them one by one!

LLM Tuition Fees In USA

Tuition prices for LLM programmes at colleges in the United States range from 62,000 USD to 71,000 USD. This translates to 47,00,000 INR - 54,00,000 INR. Furthermore, the annual cost of living in the United States for overseas students is roughly USD 15,000.

University Name

Rank

Degree

Course Duration

Fees

Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge

3

Masters in Law (LLM)

1 year

INR 60.5 lakhs

Stanford University, Stanford

2

Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition

Innovation & Information Law

1 year

INR 47.9 lakhs

Columbia Law School, New York

19

Masters in Law (LLM)

1 year

INR 53.82 lakhs

New York University, New York

35

Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition

Innovation & Information Law

1 year

INR 50.8 lakhs

University of Southern California, Los Angeles

121

Masters in Law (LLM)

1 year

INR 52.1 lakhs

Texas A & M University, College Station, USA

169

Masters in Law (LLM)

1 year

INR 20.6 lakhs

Arizona State University, Tempe

220

Masters in Law (LLM)

1 year

INR 36.5 lakhs

Northeastern University, Boston

362

Masters in Law (LLM) in Criminology & Criminal Justice

1 year

INR 24.1 lakhs

Cost of Living in the USA

Housing in the United States is a significant factor in an international student's cost of living. On-campus living is more convenient than off-campus housing, but most universities have limited room. Meal arrangements, transportation, health insurance, and other expenses are also incurred.

The entire LLM USA cost for Indian students comprises a variety of expenses such as exam fees, housing costs, travel costs, visa application fees, and so on. Let's review each with a monthly average estimate or one-time price.

Categories

Amount  in USD

Application Fee

$71 to $ 95

F-1 Student Visa

$152.60

Flight Fare (one-way; India to USA)

$667.61

SEVIS Fee

$333.80

Accommodation

$9,147.29 - $13,733.60 monthly

Books and Supplies

$2,280.49 monthly

Meals

$2,850.61 monthly

Transporation

$1,266.94 - $2,850.61 monthly

Personal Expenses

$4282 monthly

Health Insurance

$1456.98 monthly

LLM In USA Requirements

The primary document needs of each university/college for Indian students pursuing LLM in the United States are as follows:

  • Transcripts of 10th, 12th, and bachelor's degrees.
  • The LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service evaluates international transcripts.
  • 2 Recommendation Letters (LORs.)
  • Based on the questions posed by the university, write an essay/statement of purpose (SOP).
  • TOEFL scorecard with a minimum of 100 points and IELTS scorecard with a minimum of 7 bands

 Entrance Exams for LLM in USA

Entrance exams 

Amount in USD 

GRE

$201.60

IELTS

$186.24

TOEFL

$179.87

F-1 Student Visa

$152.60

Flight Fare (one-way; India to USA)

$667.61

SEVIS Fee

$333.80

LLM Scholarships For Indian Students In USA are accumulated as follows:

S.no

Scholarship

Amount Covered

 

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

Covers all tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses.

 

Fullbright Scholarship

Tuition and travel expenses are covered.

 

Hauser Global Scholars Program

$23,705.79

 

Fullbright Scholarship

$19,004.06 to $38,008.11

 

Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship

Full or Partial tuition fee

 

Merit-Based Scholarships

Differs 

 

UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program

Partial tuition fee

 Jobs For Llm Graduates In USA

Optional Practical Training is available to LLM graduates from the United States (OPT). LLM students should apply for this course at least six months before finishing their degree. OPT has a maximum term of 12 months. The position can be contractual, compensated, or unpaid. Graduates who have completed their OPT can apply for an H1-B visa to begin working for a US firm. Each year, 65000 H1-B visas are granted to foreign nationals.

You must pass the Bar examination of the state in which you wish to practise as a lawyer. Most jurisdictions, including New York and California, enable students with a foreign law degree to take this examination. However, about 23 states in the United States have a requirement that only students with a degree from an ABA-approved law school are eligible to take the Bar exam. As a result, international students with a foreign bachelor's degree in law must pursue an LLM in the United States in order to practise in these states.

Here are a few of the jobs offered for LLM graduates in the USA:


Job Profile

Annual Salary in USD

Legal Advisor

115,000 USD

Legal Counsel

133,000 USD

Associate Attorney

118,000 USD

Attorney

192,000 USD

Legal Associate

86,400 USD

Legal Consultant

119,000 USD

How to Apply for LLM in USA?

Admission to an LLM in the United States following an LLB in India or any other law course is as follows:

  • Choose a law school based on your interests, specialised programme,tuition fees, and priority university deadlines.
  • Fill out the application forms as soon as possible. The dates can be found on the official university websites.
  • Send your application to the intake of your choice in advance.
  • Send the critical documents to the university by email or postal mail (as asked.)

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you! Take advantage of the skilled advice of AECC Global student counsellors to launch your admission and application process to study in the United States.