LL.M. Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Details

Academic Details

Admissions

Tuition and Fees

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What is the Executive LL.M. in International Business Law?

Boston University School of Law's Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) program is a post-graduate academic degree for legal practitioners who wish to obtain specialized education in international business law as taught from an American perspective. The carousel format of BU's program is designed to provide optimal flexibility for busy practitioners who do not wish to enroll in a traditional nine-month residential  LL.M., but wish to obtain the specialized training they seek from a top U.S. law school. Our blended-learning program offers the flexibility of cutting-edge distance education from a University that has been a leader in the field, coupled with the advantages of a pedagogically-rigorous residential program designed and taught by members of one of the country's top teaching faculties.

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What is a 'carousel format' program schedule?

In order to afford students the greatest scheduling flexibility, the Program is offered four times per year, in March (First Session), June (Second Session), July (Third Session) and August (Fourth Session). Students can begin the Program during any of the four sessions and take them in any order they wish. Students may complete the entire residential component of the Program by taking the three consecutive sessions (i.e., Second, Third and Fourth sessions) offered during the summer. Contracts and Corporations are offered twice per year, and like the word ‘carousel’ implies, may enter or exit the Program at any time. None of the courses require prerequisites. For sample schedules and course offerings, please see the “Scheduling Options” section of our website.

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Will this Program offer the same experience as a traditional, nine-month residential LL.M. Program?

This program is unique, tailored to meet the needs and expectations of students who, for personal or professional reasons, are unable to take a traditional nine-month residential program.  The Executive LL.M. will be intellectually-rigorous and will cover comparable materials, in comparable depth, to that which would be offered in a more traditional format by BU Law. It is therefore not an 'abbreviated' curriculum. With the strength of the BU Law brand behind it, the Executive LL.M. Program delivers an education that is world-class in its scope, caliber, and reach. It is truly an international LL.M.

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What are Boston University School of Law’s Academic Strengths?

Boston University School of Law is ranked among the top law schools in America. One of Boston University School of Law’s greatest strengths is our top-notch faculty. Well known for their scholarship, the faculty is also strongly committed to their students and strives to both inspire and challenge them. Leiter Law School Rankings placed Boston University School of Law first in “Teaching Quality” and The Princeton Review ranked the school first in the United States for “Best Professors”.The Law School is a leader in the fields of banking, tax, intellectual property, health care, business law and other fields. BU Law’s strengths, coupled with those of the Office of Distance Education and their expertise in distance learning, allows us to offer a cutting-edge Executive LL.M. Program in International Business Law.

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Will I be taking courses with J.D. students?

No. The course content has been designed specifically for this Program. No students in this Program will take courses with J.D. students, and J.D. students are not eligible to take courses in the Executive LL.M. Program.

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How are the credit weights for the courses calculated?

Each course includes an intensive, two week classroom instruction period, with classes meeting six days per week for 190 minutes each (minus a 15 minute break). These classes therefore meet for 2100 minutes of in-classroom instruction each, which corresponds to three ABA credit hours for each class.

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What is the grading scale?

The Executive LL.M. Program courses will be graded as follows: honors; very good; pass; and fail. The colloquia will be graded as follows: credit or no credit. The minimum passing grade for each course is therefore “pass”. The minimum passing grade for each colloquium is "credit."

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Is this degree equivalent to BU Law's other LL.M. degrees? Will I be awarded an 'Executive LL.M.' degree, or an 'LL.M.' degree?

BU Law is a leader in graduate legal education, and for more than 120 years have been producing LL.M. graduates who work around the world. The Executive LL.M. Program will lead to a LL.M. degree that is equivalent to BU Law's other graduate law degrees. The degree awarded is an LL.M. in International Business Law.

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What are the technical requirements I need to meet in order to participate in this Program?

Please visit our "technical requirements" section on this website. Students are required to ensure their laptops comport to our minimum technical requirements, which includes computer, browser, and internet capability in order to utilize Blackboard Vista. Dial-up internet will not be sufficient.

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If I have a technical problem or question, will I have access to technology support?

All registered students will have access to a dedicated team of information technology specialists from the Office of Distance Education, who specialize in ensuring delivery of the best possible online experience. They will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during each module period. Each student is responsible for ensuring that he or she has a computer and browser that meet our minimum system requirements. Following registration, each student will receive orientation materials that will include detailed technical requirements as well as contact information for our information technology specialists.

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When must I complete the program?

Students may have five years from the date of matriculation to complete the program, and will be eligible for graduation at the Commencement ceremony closest to their date of completion. Many students will opt to complete the program in as short a period as possible, while others will take advantage of the great flexibility afforded by the Program's carousel format.

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Will the Executive LL.M. Program qualify me for the Bar?

Each of the fifty states sets its own requirements for Bar admission. Foreign-trained lawyers should contact the appropriate state's Bar directly to obtain specific eligibility information. In New York, eligibility is based on an individual candidate's foreign law school study and enrollment in the United States at an ABA-approved law school, such as BU Law. The NY State Board of Law Examiners has recently revised its rules for admission of foreign-educated law graduates, specifying that “Applicants should request an evaluation of their eligibility at least one year in advance of the application filing period for the examination which the applicant intends to sit. For example, if an applicant intends to sit for the July bar examination the Request for Evaluation shall be submitted to the Board at least one year prior to the commencement of the April filing period for that July examination.” In addition, NY is currently contemplating further revisions, including raising the credit requirements to 24 credits and requiring two semesters in full-time LL.M. residency (and excluding summer sessions). You should therefore assume the Executive Program will not qualify you for the NY Bar, although only the NY State Board of Law Examiners can make that formal determination. To contact them, please visit http://www.nybarexam.org/Foriegn/ForeignLegalEducation.htm. Given that each state Bar sets its own requirements, and given that applications are considered on their individual merits, BU Law cannot and does not make any representations or assurances that candidates who are admitted into, or who complete, the LL.M. Program will qualify for the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.

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Is it possible to do further specialization or alternative curricular tracks in this Program?

No. The Program is designed to provide non-J.D. holders with the core courses they require in order to develop or expand their specialization in international business law, as taught from a U.S. perspective. Certain courses, such as Intellectual Property or Corporate Tax, may be considered “optional” depending on whether a student must or may opt out of Contracts and/or Corporations. There may be additional course offerings offered as part of the Executive LL.M. Program in the future.

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Can I take courses as a non-degree student? If so, can I apply them towards the degree at some later point?

A select number of students will be allowed to take a course or courses as non-degree students. To do so, one must complete our regular online application but should notify us of the intention to take courses as a non-degree candidate. We do not accept auditing of classes; non-degree students must pay full tuition and fees and will be held to the same standards as Program matriculants, including course evaluations. In order to apply credit for successfully-completed courses, non-degree students will be required to petition to have completed Executive courses applied towards the Executive LL.M. in International Business Law degree. Successful completion of non-degree work is no guarantee of admission into the Executive LL.M. Program.

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I've been accepted into J.D. program at BU / another of BU law's LL.M. programs. May I transfer into this Program?

No transfers from any J.D. program, or into BU Law's J.D. program, are allowed. Transfers from other BU law graduate programs into the Executive LL.M. Program, or from the Executive LL.M. Program into other BU Law graduate programs, are allowed only in exceptional circumstances and only by permission of the Executive LL.M. Committee.

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I'm currently enrolled in another LL.M. program at another law school. May I transfer into the Executive LL.M. Program?

Due to the unique nature of our Program, we do not expect to accept transfers from other programs. All students wishing to enroll in our Program will be required to complete an application. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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What is the "Current Issues in U.S. Business Law" Colloquium, and when is it offered?

Besides the eighteen credits earned from successful completion of the six required courses, students are required to successfully complete two one-credit Colloquia as part of their program. The Colloquia are offered during each Session and are held during luncheons offered every day during the two week residential period. Each colloquium will invite prominent practitioners, academics, and experts in the fields of bankruptcy, intellectual property, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), international business arbitration, multijurisdictional practice and competition, and other areas, to join us at BU Law and share the benefit of their experience with the students in the LL.M. Program. The format is designed to ensure maximum interaction between students and faculty, and there will be an evaluative component that will be established by the Academic Director. After January 2013, students will be required to complete three Colloquia as part of their degree requirements.

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Can I register for more than two of the Colloquia?

Students are required to complete two Colloquium credits (two Colloquia at one credit each) as part of their degree requirements. As each Session will hold a Colloquium, students need not register for more than two Colloquium credits but are encouraged to do so as they provide both valuable pedagogical content as well as wonderful networking opportunities with colleagues, faculty and fellow students. As of January 2013, students will be required to complete three Colloquia.

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Can I take individual courses, or must I take the full seven credits (two courses and a workshop) in each session?

While most students will complete Program requirements by taking two courses at a time during three sessions, students are free to enroll in individual courses and workshops as best fits their professional needs. The most common breakdown of courses will include two sessions of 7 credits (two courses plus the workshop) and one session of 6 credits. Some students will complete more than the required 20 credits by taking additional courses and/or workshops, while others will take them over more than three sessions: the Executive Program is flexible enough to accommodate your schedule.

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What if I have already taken U.S. Contract Law and/or U.S. Corporate Law, or work in those fields? Do I have to take them again?

Contracts and Corporations are required, core components of the Executive LL.M. Program unless waived. Students who have taken Corporations, Contracts, or both in an ABA-accredited law school within a three year period prior to their matriculation must fulfill the Program’s degree requirements by substituting another course or courses from the Executive LL.M. curriculum. Students who have taken Corporations, Contracts or both in an ABA-accredited law school but not within a three year period prior to their matriculation, may request to waive out of one or both of these courses. Students who have taken Corporations, Contracts, or both, but not in an ABA-accredited law school, may request a waiver for one or both of these courses. Students who have had extensive work experience in a common law jurisdiction in the field of corporations or contracts may request a waiver of one or both of these courses.

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What if I take U.S. Contract Law and/or U.S. Corporate Law as a Program requirement—can I still take any of the optional offerings (e.g., Intellectual Property) as part of the Executive LL.M. Program?

Some courses, such as Intellectual Property, are designed as optional courses. Students must complete all Program requirements, which includes completion of Corporations and Contracts (unless waived) and International Business Transactions and Agreements. Students are always free to take more than the required twenty credits to receive the LL.M. degree by taking any of the optional courses, and indeed we believe these will be useful to many students in the Executive LL.M. Program who will not need to take them as replacements for Contracts and/or Corporations. Regular tuition and registration fees will apply to any additional courses taken over the twenty credit requirements.

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Will the distance learning components merely be videotaped lectures?

No. Unlike other programs that claim to offer distance learning by online delivery of taped lectures, the Executive LL.M. Program offers a truly collaborative and innovative experience that supplements the in-class room learning.

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What is the general format of the Program? How long will each module be from start to finish?

The pre-residency period of each module will be approximately six weeks long and will consist of self-paced introductory materials. The residency period in Boston is two weeks long, and classes meet six days a week for three hours per day per course, plus the Colloquium series. Following the residency, there will be a post-residency period of approximately five weeks which will consist of review materials, asynchronous assignments, readings, feedback and evaluation. As such, each module will be approximately ten to twelve weeks long.

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Will I have to travel to Boston to complete final exams or other forms of assessment?

All forms of assessment will take place during online sessions and residential periods; students will not have to travel to Boston outside of the residential periods for any academic purpose.

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Is there a thesis or dissertation requirement as part of the Executive LL.M. Program?

The Program is a non-thesis degree; there is no thesis or dissertation requirement.

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I am planning on completing two or three of the Sessions during the summer. Does that mean I will be doing the post-residency online learning components for four or more courses simultaneously?

No. The post-residency periods for classes are staggered. Assuming, for example, that you take two classes in Session Two (Green), two in Session Three (Blue), and two in Session Four (Orange), you will be beginning the post-residency online learning component of your Session Two (Green)classes in September, after the residency period for Session Four (Orange) has been completed. The post-residency online period for Session Three (Blue) shall be in October, for Session Four (Orange) in November, etc.

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Given that the post-residency online learning components are staggered, there will be a delay between the time I have finished the residency and the time I begin the post-residency learning. What if I forget what I have learned during that period?

Similarly to the pre-residency online materials, there will be self-paced review materials available online to allow you to ascertain your grasp of the subject matter following the residency period, as well as the introductory and foundational materials from the pre-session. You will have ample opportunity to gauge your knowledge and refresh your understanding of course content, should you need it, prior to the start of the post-residential online learning component.

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I am unable to attend any residential components. May I take this Program only through distance learning?

Not at this time. The Executive LL.M. Program is a blended-learning degree program that has been carefully designed to deliver the requisite course content while also meeting ABA and Boston University requirements for the granting of course credit. It is not possible to complete the Program without attending the residential periods.

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What is the size of the class?

The Executive LL.M. Program population has been capped to ensure that students derive maximum benefit from the pedagogical, networking and other advantages this Program offers. Admissions will be highly selective, ensuring that students will be able to take maximum advantage of the Program while also enriching their classmates' experience in the Executive LL.M. The average size of the Executive LLM classes is 8-15 students.

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What is the format of instruction for Executive LL.M. courses?

Instructors have different teaching philosophies and accordingly will require different forms of instruction and assessment. Modes of instruction may include lectures, videos, PowerPoint presentations, audio materials, case books, articles, discussion boards, posting of online assignments, group discussion, group projects and the like. Due to the internationality of our student body, online ‘live’ chats during the non-residential components will not be used. Assessment may differ considerably from course to course, but may include: graded assignments in the pre-residency period; quizzes during the residency period; short project/essays during the residency; a written exam at the conclusion of the residency; several graded projects (assignments, papers, etc) during the post-residency period; etc. Instructors will inform students at the beginning of the pre-residency session about the format of the course and what forms of assessment will be used. Printed materials, if required, will be shipped to students prior to the residential period. Students will also be given access to Westlaw and Lexis.

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How many hours of class work can I expect during the pre-residential period?

The workload for pre-residency periods can be expected to average approximately 12 hours per course over the six weeks. A student taking two courses can therefore expect approximately 24 hours of course work over the six weeks, or roughly 4 hours per week. The format is self-paced, meaning that you can dictate (subject to deadlines) when you complete the work required. Students having greater familiarity with the subject matter may spend less time, others may spend more.

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How many hours of class work can I expect during the residential period?

During the residential period, courses follow an intensive schedule of 3 hours per day per course, over 12 sessions during the two week residency. You should expect approximately 2-4 hours per night of course work during this period (assuming you are taking two courses).

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How many hours of class work can I expect during the post-residential period?

Post-residency materials, in contrast to those before the residential period, are not self-paced. Assignments and other materials may have deadlines, but due to differences in time zones and work schedules, you will not be required to log on and participate online at specific times or on specific dates. During this five week session, you should expect to have approximately 6 hours of course work per week for each course, or about 30 total hours of course work per course. Students taking two courses may therefore expect approximately 12 hours of course work per week, or about 60 total hours, over the five week period.

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How do I apply?

Applications for the Executive LL.M. Program are only accepted online.

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I have applied to another graduate law program at BU Law. Do I have to submit a separate application for the Executive LL.M. Program?

While you will need to complete an online application and pay the required application fee, you need not resubmit all of your application materials.  Any materials already submitted to BU Law, such as transcripts, will be available for consideration. However, candidates must still ensure their application is complete and that all other materials requested by our office are received or have already been submitted. Please note that the application procedures and policies for this program are not identical to those of other programs at BU Law, so you will have to ensure that you have fulfilled all of the admissions requirements for the Executive LL.M. Program in order to be considered for admission.

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I have a J.D. degree from a U.S. law school. May I apply to this program?

The Program is open to J.D. holders from U.S. law schools and graduates of international law programs. The Executive LL.M. is designed to provide students with the specialized instruction they need in international business law as taught from a U.S. perspective. Some of the courses offered in the program—namely Contracts and Corporations – are either a required part of a standard J.D. curriculum or have been taken by many J.D. holders. As such, you may be required, or choose, to opt out of one or both of these course as detailed above.

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I already hold an LL.M. degree. May I apply to the Executive Program?

Yes. A prior LL.M. degree, in a field other than in international business law, does not preclude admission. If you have any questions about overlap between your previous degree and the Executive Program, please contact us.

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I do not have a law degree. May I apply to the Program?

While the Program is designed for practicing international lawyers, we will occasionally admit a highly-qualified candidate that holds a bachelor degree or equivalent but does not have a law degree. Such candidates will typically have considerable work experience in a quasi-legal or related field (for example, contract management), strong academic credentials that speak to their ability to succeed in the Executive Program, and a work history that demonstrates their ability to contribute to, and benefit from, the Executive LL.M. Program. All such candidates must complete the regular Executive LL.M. online application for consideration, and will be expected to address their suitability for the Program in their personal statement. Admission to the degree program is not granted to applicants who do not hold a college degree, as this is a Master of Laws-granting program. Under no circumstances will the Admissions Office convey an opinion on a candidate’s credentials prior to, or in lieu of, a formal application.

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What are the exceptions to the English proficiency requirement?

The Executive LL.M. Program is conservative when evaluating applicant’s English abilities, given the importance of ensuring that they are able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English. Students without strong English skills are hampered in their ability to contribute to, and benefit from, this unique program. You may be exempted from the English proficiency requirement if (1) English is your native language; or (2) you received a degree from a college or university in a country where both the language of instruction and the native language is English. Applicants not meeting this exemption will be required to submit ILEC, TOEFL or IELTS test scores, as detailed in the “How to Apply” section at http://www.bu.edu/law/prospective/llm/intlbuslaw/howtoapply.shtml. Applicants must have taken the exam within two years of application date. Exceptions to this rule are treated on a case-by-case basis with a heavy presumption against granting such a waiver. Please note that successful participants in the Executive LLM will need strong legal English proficiency.

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Can I still apply if my TOEFL or other ESL scores are below your minimums?

We believe that applicants generally need to meet our minimum test scores on TOEFL, IELTS or ILEC in order to have the requisite English skills necessary to fully participate and succeed in this Program. If your scores are slightly below our minimums, but you are otherwise qualified, you may still apply. In that situation, we will likely hold off on making an admissions decision until we you are able to submit proof of a higher test score that meets our minimum, or unless other agreed-upon conditions are met. Please note that in-person or phone interviews are also a part of the admissions process for non-native English speakers.

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If my TOEFL or other ESL scores are below your minimums, may I receive a provisional acceptance?

Applicants are occasionally admitted to the program on the condition that they fulfill other requirements in order to improve their English skills or meet our test score minimums. We may accept an applicant provisionally on the condition that he or she successfully complete BU’s summer program in Legal English at CELOP or submit other proof of testing or intensive ESL course completion. It is expected that this will only be granted in exceptional cases, as measurable English ability is a significant factor in our admissions decisions given that success in the Executive LL.M. Program is predicated on strong English skills. Applicants whose scores are lower than our minimums are generally encouraged to resubmit test scores that meet our minimums, or to enroll in CELOP or a similar intensive ESL program. For information on CELOP, please visit http://www.bu.edu/celop.

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What if I am unable to provide an original transcript with my application?

Applicants who are unable to provide an original transcript with their application may submit either a certified or notarized copy of their transcript, provided it clearly indicates that it is an accurate representation of the applicant’s original transcript. Please note that we are unable to return application materials submitted to us. In certain circumstances, we will accept copies of supporting documetns to make to a provisional decision on an applicant's file, subject to receipt of official documentation prior to enrollment.

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When are the application deadlines?

While there are no formal admissions deadlines due to the flexible nature of the program, we have ‘soft’ or suggested deadlines that we strongly encourage applicants to abide by. You may find those dates on the ‘How to Apply’ section of this website, accessible here http://www.bu.edu/law/prospective/llm/intlbuslaw/howtoapply.shtml.

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Are interviews required?

Promising applicants may be interviewed by the Program Director. Given the nature of the program, most interviews will be 30-minute phone interviews. BU Law will schedule a mutually-agreeable date and time so that the Program Director may call the applicant and conduct the phone interview in a timely manner. In the happy event that a candidate will otherwise be in the Boston area, or is able to travel to Boston prior to admission, we will be delighted to schedule an in-person interview in lieu of a phone interview and provide a tour of BU Law. Please note that we do not reimburse candidates for any expenses related to interview travel or scheduling.

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Is work experience required for admission to the LL.M. Program?

In keeping with the Executive nature of this Program, it is expected that most successful candidates will have at least three to five years of professional legal experience, and many applicants will possess considerably more.  Each student's work history and background will enhance his or her contributions to the class, while also enriching the student's individual educational experience.  Priority will be given to candidates with notable professional accomplishments.

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How are decisions made regarding applications for admission?

The Program Director determines which candidates will be offered admission, in conjunction with the staff of the Executive LL.M. Program, based on the applicant's complete record. As such, grades and academic credentials, work experience, letters of recommendation, awards, language ability, test results and interviews will all be considered when evaluating a candidate's file.

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I was not admitted into the Executive Program. May I reapply?

While unsuccessful applications are not subject to appeal, you may reapply for admission. If you do so within one calendar year from your previous application you need not resubmit all materials. You will be required to pay the application fee and submit a new online application, updated resume and personal statement. We also advise strongly that you submit updated letters of recommendation. You need not resubmit your transcripts and test scores, provided your test scores are less than two years old. Please note that reapplication is unlikely to increase your chances for admission unless you are submitting an application that is qualitatively stronger than your previous application (i.e., showing evidence of increased language proficiency, increased professional responsibilities or experience, additional course work, etc).

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I was not admitted into the Executive Program. May I request feedback on my application?

As a courtesy to our applicants, we are happy to provide written feedback on unsuccessful applications to applicants who wish to reapply in the future. Please make your request, in writing, to the Executive LL.M. Program office within three months of having received notification of our decision and we will be happy to provide feedback. Please provide information on when you anticipate reapplying, any specific questions you might have, and your professional or academic plans during the interim period.

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Will reapplying increase my chances of admission?

Each application is considered in the context of the applicant pool during that period, so reapplying by itself has no impact on the likelihood of admission. All applicants who are interested in reapplying should request feedback on their original application. Reapplying is no guarantee of admission, but in some cases applicants have benefited from the additional time and opportunity to become more competitive candidates.

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Will I require a visa to enter the United States for the residential periods of study, and where can I find more information on obtaining a visa?

Students enrolled in the Executive LL.M. Program will be considered part-time students and are not eligible for sponsorship under the F-1 student visa classification. We anticipate that all program participants will enter the U.S. in visitor status, or with a visa waiver, in order to participate in the residential periods. Upon acceptance, each student will be further information, a letter of acceptance into the Program and a letter of invitation for presentation to the U.S. Consulate and/or U.S. port of entry official which will request a visitor visa or status.

For more information on how to obtain a visitor visa and on the Visa Waiver Program, please visit: http://www.bu.edu/isso/Entry-B1-B2.html.

Visitor visa status does not permit full-time study. Your participation in the residential period, while intensive, does not constitute full-time student status nor should you describe yourself as a “student” coming to “study at Boston University” as this will likely cause confusion at the Consulate or port of entry. While the vast majority of participants should not encounter any difficulties, there is no guarantee in an individual case that a consular or immigration official will issue a visitor visa or permit entry to the U.S. in visitor status.

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What is the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service and should I register for it?

While we do not require it, we strongly recommend that candidates register with the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service provided by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). This service collects and authenticates the academic records and TOEFL scores of international candidates who are applying for admission to LL.M. programs in the United States, and sends reports to participating LL.M. programs to which these candidates have applied. As candidates will need to obtain only one set of official academic transcripts in order to make them available for all applications to participating law schools-which includes BU Law-the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service can offer greater convenience and efficiency.  The registration fee of US $185 includes five reports to U.S. law schools, while additional reports may be ordered for an additional fee. You may register for this service online at LLM.LSAC.org.  The LSAC service only authenticates academic transcripts and related credentials from outside of the United States, and candidates must still complete the BU Law LL.M. application online and submit it with the required fee.

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How will I be notified whether I have been accepted into the Executive LL.M. Program?

Every effort is made to notify an applicant in a timely manner about the decision on his or her application. Given the expected volume of applications it may take several weeks from the time your application is complete to evaluate it and render a decision. Given the vagaries of air mail, notification of acceptance will first be made via email, followed by a formal letter sent from the Admissions Office. Please note that we cannot communicate admissions decisions over the phone, but you are welcome to contact our office to inquire about the status of your application.

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What is cost of the Executive LL.M. Program?

Tuition for the 20 credit Executive LL.M. Program has been set at $41,780 for the calendar year 2012. Tuition is charged at a cost of $2,089/credit. To complete the program requires completion of twenty credits. Tuition includes accommodations, workshop luncheons, and selected social, educational and networking events. Airfare, laptops, course materials, and incidental expenses are not covered. Tuition for two three-credit courses plus a Colloquium offered in 2012 would therefore be $14,623 . There is a $40 University registration fee added to the tuition charged for each module. Tuition and fees must be paid in full at time of registration for any individual course or session.

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Is housing included in the cost of tuition? Can I opt out of housing?

Housing during the residential period is included in the cost of tuition. Student accommodations have been carefully chosen to maximize convenience, comfort, and a sense of community during the residential period. As such, students cannot opt out of arranged housing nor will they be reimbursed for any housing costs. Students may make their own arrangements, at their own cost, to extend accommodations before or after the 2 week residential period of each module.

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Does tuition include health insurance? Am I required to show proof of insurance?

As students in the Executive LL.M. Program are deemed part-time and do not require (nor are they eligible for) for student visas, health insurance is not included in the cost of tuition. Students, upon registration, will be required to provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage. For more information on BU’s policies regarding health insurance, please visit http://www.bu.edu/comp/saweb/medins.html. For a description of what constitutes comparable coverage, see http://www.bu.edu/comp/saweb/compmed.html. Information will be provided to students following their acceptance into the program about health insurance coverage and other important matters.

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Is financial aid available?

No form of financial aid, including scholarships, partial or complete tuition remission, or any forms of grants or bursaries will be available for the Executive LL.M. Program by Boston University. It is expected that most candidates will have secured corporate, employer or government sponsorship to fund their studies at BU Law. Students should therefore assume the total cost of program completion is based on the credit requirements and tuition outlined in the “Tuition and Program Fees” section of this website plus non-included expenses. The flexible nature of the Executive Program, including the five years that students have to complete it, may assist some students in securing the requisite funding needed. Students are always free to secure student loans (e.g., Stafford Loans for domestic students), scholarships and other forms of financial aid from other sources, but no form of financial aid is available from the University.

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Where may I find sources of financial aid other than from BU Law?

Many candidates have found information on the LL.M. Guide website to be a helpful resource.

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Is there a tuition deferred payment plan available?

Students have the option of settling their account by enrolling in one of two deferred payment plans. These payment plans are administered by Boston University and details regarding enrollment are available online at http://www.bu.edu/studentaccountingservices/your-bill/payment-plans/. Please reference the 'Deferred Payment Plan (Part-time Students) section. Students who are enrolled in the Red Session follow the Spring Semester payment deadlines. Students enrolled in the Green Session follow the Summer I Semester payment deadline. Students enrolled in the Blue and Orange Sessions follow the Summer II Semester deadline.

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We thank you for your interest in the Executive LL.M. Program!