FAQs

Admissions

Academics

Student Life

 

Admissions

Who is the program suited for?

The LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law Program is suitable for domestic and foreign-trained lawyers who seek the credential of a specialized degree in one of the most dynamic fields of legal practice - intellectual property law. Foreign-trained lawyers who already have strong academic and professional backgrounds in intellectual property benefit from learning the American perspective on IP doctrine and practice. Candidates who hold a first degree in law from a foreign country are strongly encouraged to apply to the LL.M. in American Law Program and pursue the program's Intellectual Property Concentration. Science or technical backgrounds are not required and candidates without this prior training are encouraged to apply.

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Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates to the LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law Program must hold a first degree in law, or its equivalent, from an ABA-accredited law school or a comparably recognized law school or law faculty outside the United States. Admission is highly competitive and depends to a great extent on the demonstration of outstanding ability in previous law studies. Prior work experience in the intellectual property field is strongly recommended, though not required.

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How large is the program?

The program is highly selective. In the 2007-2008 academic year, we have one enrolled student.

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When should I apply?

Serious candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible in the fall. The application deadline is April 15.

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What are the exceptions to the TOEFL requirement?

You may be exempted from the TOEFL requirement if

  1. English is your native language; or
  2. You received your first degree in law from a college or university in a country where both the language of instruction and the native language is English. This also applies to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
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Should I apply if my TOEFL score is below 250/600/100?

Proficiency in English is a significant factor in our admissions decisions. A minimum total score of 250 with 25 in each subscore on the computer-based TOEFL; a minimum total score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL; or a minimum total score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL, with subscores of 25 (reading), 25 (listening), 25 (writing) and 23 (speaking) are generally required and most admitted LL.M. applicants have substantially higher scores. If you scored below 250/600/100 on TOEFL, but are otherwise qualified, you may still apply, but we may ask you to re-take TOEFL. In that case, we will hold off on making an admissions decision until we receive a higher score.

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Can I be admitted conditionally if I scored below 250/600/100 on TOEFL?

Yes, students are occasionally admitted to the program on the condition that they attend and successfully complete BU's summer program in Legal English at CELOP. Conditional acceptance will be considered for those students who have already demonstrated proficiency in English but who stand to benefit from additional, formal intensive training prior to commencing their law studies. This condition may be required for students who scored below 250/600/100 as well as for students who scored above 250/600/100 but still need improvement. Students who do not demonstrate strong English skills at the time of their application will not be admitted on a conditional basis.

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Is work experience required?

No. Work experience in the intellectual property field is strongly favored, but not required. While most students come to the program with some work experience - and while work experience is often a positive factor in admissions decisions - some students attend the program immediately after their law studies.

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Can I begin the program in the spring?

No. All LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law students begin the program in the fall semester.

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Academics

What are students' classroom experiences like?

Unlike many other LL.M. programs, where courses are generally taught by adjunct faculty and where students take classes exclusively with other LL.M.s, the students in the Intellectual Property Law Program take classes with J.D. students and are generally taught by full-time faculty. They are expected to participate in these classes like other students, which means taking part in the "Socratic" teaching method. This teaching method involves an interactive dialogue with the professor who questions students about the case materials (instead of "lecturing" the students about the topic). In this way, our foreign-trained LL.M. students learn first-hand what it's like to be trained as an American lawyer.

At BU Law, class size ranges from under 20 students (in seminars, for example), to 75 or 80 students - with most classes having about 35-50 students in attendance. It would not be uncommon, for example, for between three and ten LL.M. students to attend a class with 35 or 40 J.D. students. Overall, BU Law has one of the lowest faculty/student ratios of any law school its size.

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What's the difference between a class and a seminar?

In seminars, students generally discuss readings in a small group setting. All seminars are limited enrollment, usually with fewer than 25 students. Instead of taking an examination, students write one or more research papers for the class. LL.M.s should realize that seminars require active participation and solid writing skills.

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Is there a writing requirement?

All students complete a substantial three-credit analytical paper addressing an intellectual property law issue, either in connection with a seminar or as an independent study.

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What are exams like?

Exams take place at the end of each semester, in December and May. The exams are written, not oral. They usually last three to four hours. Occasionally, classes have "take-home" exams. LL.M. Students take the same exams as J.D. students, though they are graded separately from the J.D.'s and are not compared to J.D.s for grading purposes. Foreign-trained LL.M. students receive an extra hour to take their in-class exams.

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Student Life

What kind of support do LL.M.s receive?

The Office of Graduate and International Programs has an unwavering commitment to helping ensure the best experience for every student. LL.M.s receive dedicated academic guidance and counseling from the director and assistant director, who are always available to help students with any issues or problems that arise, whether personal or academic. Early in the fall semester, foreign LL.M.s are matched with J.D. students who serve as their "buddies," to provide advice and support during the year. LL.M.s also have the support of a full-time career counselor, assigned to work with them on their job searches.

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What social activities take place?

LL.M. students not only learn a tremendous amount of law but they have enriching personal experiences - and a huge amount of fun! The Office of Graduate and International Programs organizes frequent receptions and gatherings where students can interact with each other and other members of the law school community. Together, we explore Boston and New England - taking trips up Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire; going to Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox games; taking in theater, music and shows; and dining out in any of Boston's myriad restaurants. As full members of the BU Law community, LL.M. students also partake in numerous non-classroom learning opportunities, such as faculty presentations, speakers' series and court-watching trips; as well as social and extra-curricular events with the J.D. students. LL.M. students are welcome to join BU Law's numerous student organizations.

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Can I work during my studies?

Visa regulations limit international students to working only on-campus, for no more than twenty hours per week. There are no teaching assistant positions available at BU Law, though students can work as research assistants for professors, depending upon the needs of individual faculty members. Studying law at BU Law is a full-time commitment.

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