Boston University is located in one of the world’s most concentrated innovation hubs, giving you unparalleled access to opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. You will have the opportunity to forge connections with leading technology companies, cutting-edge research institutions, high-growth startups, and top legal organizations, gaining the hands-on experience and practical insight that sets our graduates apart.

As digital content becomes easier than ever to create, share, and monetize, the need for skilled legal professionals who can protect intellectual property and information law has never been greater. This program equips you with the knowledge, real-world experience, and global perspective to meet that demand and to thrive in a field that shows no signs of slowing down.

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Who Should Apply?

This program is open to domestic and international lawyers, law graduates, and those with a strong interest in intellectual property and information law. Whether you are looking to build foundational knowledge or deepen existing expertise, this program offers a rigorous and rewarding path forward.

It is particularly well suited for:

• Candidates with prior academic or professional experience in intellectual property law
• Foreign-trained lawyers seeking to understand US legal frameworks and practice
• Legal professionals looking to transition into or expand their work in technology, innovation, or digital assets
• Graduates with a passion for intellectual property law who are eager to develop practical skills in a rapidly evolving field

A technical or scientific background is not required. We welcome applicants from a wide range of legal backgrounds and experiences. 

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Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a first degree in law (LLB or equivalent) from an accredited or internationally recognized institution and demonstrate strong academic performance. In exceptional circumstances, the program may consider applicants who do not hold an LLB but are duly licensed to practice law in another jurisdiction. Prior experience in intellectual property is preferred but not required.

Applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency. Most admitted students present a TOEFL score of 5 or above (1–6 scale) or 100 or above (0–120 scale), or an IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with balanced sub-scores across all sections. Applicants with scores slightly below these benchmarks may be considered and could be required to complete additional English language training prior to enrollment.

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Enrollment Options

While the LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law can be completed in one year of full-time study, BU Law offers several other enrollment options based on your educational background, professional experience, and English proficiency.

Two-Year LLM Program

If you want to improve your fluency in English and your academic skills before enrolling in our Intellectual Property & Information Law Program, the Two-Year LLM Program can provide you with the optimal format.

Academic Skills for the International Lawyer

Academic Skills for the International Lawyer is an intensive, two-week, zero-credit, in-person course that focuses on the most vital skills and strategies needed for success in an LLM program. The course is taught by two full-time BU Law faculty members, who use US court decisions to effectively illustrate and teach these skills. Find more information on the Summer Courses page.

Summer Courses

Begin your LLM program with summer courses specifically designed to set you up for success during the regular semester. Build a strong foundation for your graduate studies with courses like Academic Skills for the International Lawyer, Financial Services Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Banking Law, and more.

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How to Apply

Prospective students must submit:

• Completed application with personal statement detailing career goals and how the program will support these goals.
• Official transcripts showing bachelor’s degree completion with strong academic performance.
• For international applicants: TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting minimum requirements.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for fall and spring admission.

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Why Pursue an LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Law?

You will learn from faculty who are consistently recognized among the best in legal education, alongside practitioners working at the forefront of intellectual property and information law. Our faculty are not only leading scholars and practitioners, they are active contributors to the legal and policy debates shaping the field, bringing real-world relevance into every classroom.

The curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in intellectual property and information law, while also examining the economic, ethical, and global dimensions of intangible assets. As the legal landscape evolves alongside emerging technologies, so does our program. Coursework reflects the latest developments in AI and technology law, including the legal and ethical frameworks governing artificial intelligence, machine-generated works, and data ownership. 

By taking classes alongside JD students and participating in the Socratic method, you will gain direct exposure to the rigor and dynamism of US legal education. Practical skills courses designed specifically for LLM students ensure you graduate practice-ready — equipped with the analytical tools, professional competencies, and cross-jurisdictional fluency that today’s IP and technology law landscape demands.

Whether you are looking to advise clients on AI-generated intellectual property, navigate international patent and copyright regimes, or shape emerging policy, this program prepares you to lead at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation.

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Courses and Curriculum

The program offers a focused yet flexible curriculum that equips students to examine intellectual property and information law from multiple perspectives. Coursework covers the foundational doctrinal frameworks governing intangible assets, from patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secrets law to the broader policy and business considerations that shape the field. As technology continues to redefine the boundaries of intellectual property and information law, the curriculum evolves alongside it, addressing emerging issues in artificial intelligence, data ownership, and machine-generated works, engaging students with these questions as they are actively being litigated and legislated.

Students complete advanced coursework in intellectual property and information law, and participate in writing-intensive seminars that develop the analytical depth and scholarly rigor expected of legal professionals.

Alongside this doctrinal foundation, the program places equal emphasis on practical skills development. Practice-ready courses designed specifically for LLM students build core professional competencies, including legal drafting, client counseling, negotiation, and advocacy, ensuring graduates are prepared not only to think like lawyers, but to perform as ones. Students engage with real-world IP problems, gaining hands-on experience that translates across practice settings and jurisdictions.

Classes are taught by full-time faculty as well as highly skilled practitioners, creating an immersive academic environment that mirrors the demands of real-world legal practice. You will learn from faculty who are consistently recognized among the best in legal education who are active contributors to the legal and policy debates defining the field today.

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Beyond the Classroom

Support & Student Life

A robust support system, including academic advising, writing assistance, and personalized career counseling, ensures you thrive both in the classroom and beyond. Combined with a vibrant calendar of events, social programming, and cultural experiences, your time here becomes a dynamic journey of growth, connection, and lasting impact.

Connections with JD Students

LLM students have meaningful opportunities to connect with their JD peers through more than 30 student organizations, as well as signature community events such as the Barristers’ Ball, the annual Boat Cruise, and the Halloween Party. At Boston University School of Law, these shared experiences foster a strong sense of community, bringing students together across programs in ways that build lasting friendships and professional connections.

Discovery Series

Students further enrich their learning through dedicated academic trips to Philadelphia and Washington, DC Led by the Program Director, these immersive visits bring students into direct contact with the places where US constitutional history was formed and continues to resonate today. By engaging with historic sites and institutions firsthand, students gain a deeper, more vivid understanding of foundational legal principles in the very settings where they were developed, creating a distinctive and highly experiential approach to learning law.

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Life & Community in Boston

Boston is a global hub of intellectual energy, where top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston University intersect with cutting-edge innovation and legal thought. Just across the Charles River, Kendall Square is home to leading startups and companies like Google, Meta, and Tripadvisor, placing you at the center of the ideas, networks, and opportunities shaping the future of law and technology.

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Frequently Asked Questions