Boston University School of Law is consistently recognized as one of America’s premier law schools. Boston University School of Law’s faculty is consistently ranked among the finest teaching faculty in America, according to Princeton Review’s guide. The School’s academic strengths cover all substantive areas of law. Our Intellectual Property Program has recently been recognized as among the top in America. The School’s strengths in corporate, business, financial, banking, and tax law are renowned. The faculty is known not only for its scholarship, but also for its accessibility to students and commitment to teaching. LLM students, because they are integrated into the JD classes, experience this academic excellence first-hand. Located in Boston, widely regarded as the intellectual capital of the United States, BU Law also offers students unparalleled opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through access to world-class institutions, courts, global organizations, and a vibrant legal and academic community

Students must complete 24 credits in two semesters of full-time study. This generally means that they take between 3 and 5 classes each term. Students need a cumulative weighted grade point average of C+ (2.30) to receive the degree. All students must take “Introduction to the American Legal System” and a seminar in Legal Research and Writing in the fall semester. All students also participate in a graduate colloquium in the spring term called “Topics in American Law.” The introductory course gives an overview of the main substantive areas of American Law—such as contracts, constitutional law, civil procedure—and teaches the methods of legal reasoning and analysis that characterize America’s common law tradition (students are evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis in this introductory course). The legal research and writing seminar teaches students how to find and use legal resources and how to write legal memoranda, contracts, and other documents in an American legal style. Students learn the latest computerized legal research methods, while also engaging with emerging tools in artificial intelligence and developing the critical skills necessary to use AI responsibly, effectively, and ethically in legal research and writing. The Professional Skills Lab further complements this training by offering students customized, practical instruction on networking, while helping them build core professional competencies needed to effectively interact with attorneys in the United States, understand professional norms and expectations, and develop marketable skills that position them for success in a competitive global legal marketplace..Beyond these requirements, students are free to design their own study plans, choosing classes and seminars according to their own personal and professional interests. Each student benefits from frequent and close contact with the Director of the Graduate and International Programs Office in designing their individual course of study.

Our foreign LLM students experience an American legal education in the truest sense. They benefit from access to a broad and flexible curriculum of more than 80 courses covering the most significant and rapidly evolving areas of intellectual property and information law. The program combines rigorous academic study with practical skills training, including courses taught by leading practitioners in the field who bring real-world insight into the classroom and provide hands-on, practice-ready experience. Students also have the opportunity to enroll in a wide range of courses alongside JD students and are taught by distinguished full-time faculty. They are expected to participate fully in class, including engaging in the Socratic method of teaching—an interactive approach that emphasizes dialogue, critical thinking, and real-time analysis of case materials rather than passive lecture. Through this immersive experience, students not only gain a deep understanding of American law, but also develop the analytical, communicative, and professional skills that define U.S. legal training—an invaluable advantage for any attorney working in a global legal environment.

At BU Law, class sizes range from fewer than 25 students in seminars to approximately 75–80 students in larger courses, with most classes enrolling between 35–50 students. Overall, BU Law maintains one of the lowest faculty-to-student ratios among peer law schools, ensuring meaningful engagement, individualized attention, and consistent access to faculty.

Seminar classes are small, allowing for meaningful interaction and the opportunity to engage closely with faculty and peers. LLM students also often find seminars to be especially valuable, as they differ from traditional classes in both structure and focus. Rather than relying on a final exam, seminars emphasize the development of advanced writing and analytical skills through one or more substantial research papers. Some seminars are also designed as practical skills courses, where students build marketable, practice-ready competencies through simulated exercises that mirror real-world legal practice. Typically enrolling fewer than 25 students, seminars are discussion-based and require active participation, offering a more intensive and personalized learning experience.

Yes. The program’s flexibility allows students to specialize their studies in virtually any area of substantive law by selecting classes in specific areas. Students can also pursue formal “concentrations” in either of three important fields: Intellectual Property, International Business Practice, and Tax. Students who complete one of these concentrations will receive official certification that they specialized their studies as part of their American law degree.

LLM In American Law students are integrated into the JD curriculum and therefore have the flexibility to take courses in virtually any area of law. Banking and Financial Law LLM students, on the other hand, study more focused and narrow topics in banking and financial law—many of which are required for the program’s degree—and do so with other LLM students, not with the school’s JD students. LLM In American Law students can, if they wish, cross-register in classes through the Banking and Financial Law Program, on a limited basis and subject to space availability.

Exams take place at the end of each semester, in December and May. The exams are written, not oral. They usually last 3 to 4 hours. Occasionally, classes have “take-home” exams. LLM students take the same exams as JD students, though they are graded separately from the JDs and are not compared to JDs for grading purposes. They are given an extra hour to take their in-class exams.

The Graduate and International Programs Office has an unwavering commitment to helping ensure the best experience for every student. LLMs receive dedicated academic guidance and counseling from the Director and Associate Director, who are also always available to help students with any issues or problems that arise, whether personal or academic. LLM students also benefit from the dedicated support of a full-time career counselor who works closely with them to guide and strengthen every stage of their job search.

LLM students are fully integrated into the BU Law community and enjoy a vibrant, inclusive experience that extends well beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, they take part in cultural and community celebrations including Ramadan, Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Thanksgiving, which bring the law school community together in meaningful ways.

Students build strong connections with JD peers through more than 30 student organizations and signature social events such as the Halloween party, boat cruise, and Barrister’s Ball. They also experience all four New England seasons—apple picking in the fall, Red Sox and BU Terriers hockey games, and ice skating and snow tubing in the winter.

The Graduate and International Programs Office hosts frequent receptions and gatherings that foster community across the law school. A distinctive feature of the program is the Discovery Series, which takes students on constitutional history tours of Washington, DC and Philadelphia. Students also participate in faculty talks, speaker series, court visits, and the full range of student organization activities throughout the year.
At BU Law, LLM students enjoy not only a rigorous legal education, but also a rich, globally engaged student life filled with culture, connection, and community.

Boston University offers vast and comprehensive opportunities for fitness, recreation, and sporting events. All LLM students are able to take advantage of those opportunities through classes, club, and intramural sports, and the use of BU’s many facilities, including the Fitness and Recreation Center. Past LLM students have participated in classes ranging from aerobics, yoga, and weight training to sailing, ice skating, dance, and martial arts. Many have also created their own teams to participate in club sports with students from across the University community, such as soccer or golf. The LLM in American Law Class has even held its own LLM Invitational Golf Tournament, in which students, faculty, staff, and friends participated! Additionally, the campus’ location along the banks of the Charles River allows students easy access to one of America’s most celebrated and picturesque recreational paths, popular for running, biking, rollerblading, or just going for a leisurely stroll.

BU Law’s LLM program is a full-time, rigorous academic experience, designed to prepare students for success in the legal profession. At the same time, we recognize that many students have outside economic needs and may wish to work while pursuing their studies. International students on U.S. visas are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. Within BU Law, students can serve as teaching assistants in a limited capacity or work as research assistants with faculty, depending on availability.

Beyond the law school, the larger BU community offers a wide range of on-campus employment opportunities through the Student Employment Office, giving students additional ways to support themselves. While the program is demanding, we strive to be flexible and supportive, helping each student balance their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Faculty members do occasionally need the help of research assistants. Research assistants are law students (JDs or LLMs) who help conduct research for faculty members’ scholarly projects, such as books or articles. These students are paid nominal amounts (not enough to cover one’s living expenses in Boston); they generally work for no more than 8 or 10 hours a week in this capacity. The availability of these kinds of opportunities depends entirely on the scholarly needs of individual faculty members. When a professor needs a research assistant, he or she will often make an announcement in class or perhaps send out an email. The selection of research assistants does not take place until school begins. Please understand, however, that LLM students who have worked as research assistants in the past have done so in the spring semester—after they have completed the program’s Legal Research and Writing Seminar in the fall term.

For students with families, Massachusetts offers an exceptional environment, with one of the strongest public school systems in the world, a wealth of museums and historical sites, and a city consistently ranked among the safest in the United States. BU Law also supports students through the Boston University Office of Family Resources, which provides guidance on childcare, local schools, and early childhood education centers. More information is available at https://www.bu.edu/family/.

The LLM program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in U.S. law and a valuable graduate credential from one of America’s leading law schools, supporting successful careers around the world. Most graduates return to their home countries or pursue opportunities internationally, often with global law firms or multinational corporations.

Each January, students participate in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP) at New York University, connecting with employers for internships and post-graduate roles. While some graduates pursue limited post-completion practical training in the United States under visa regulations, the program’s primary focus is on preparing students for global legal careers and expanding international professional opportunities.

To practice law in the United States, candidates must pass a state bar exam in the jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Each of the fifty states sets its own requirements for bar admission, and an LLM degree does not automatically qualify international lawyers to sit for the bar or practice in every state. Many jurisdictions have specific eligibility rules for foreign-trained lawyers, and requirements can vary significantly.

BU Law’s Professional Development Office plays an important role in supporting students through this process, offering expert guidance on bar eligibility, state-specific requirements, and application planning. Students are encouraged and assisted in reviewing requirements for the jurisdictions they are considering, with individualized support to help them navigate the path toward licensure.

To practice law in the United States, candidates must pass a state bar exam in the jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Each of the fifty states sets its own requirements for bar admission, and an LLM degree does not automatically qualify international lawyers to sit for the bar or practice in every state. Many jurisdictions have specific eligibility rules for foreign-trained lawyers, and requirements can vary significantly.

Each year, a number of BU Law LLM graduates qualify to sit for the New York Bar Examination. Many prepare in Boston during the summer months through a structured bar preparation program offered by a private provider. The New York Bar Exam is administered twice annually, in July and February.

Absolutely. BU Law’s LLM Professional Development Office is staffed by an Associate Director and a dedicated career advisor who work exclusively with LLM students, providing individualized, high-touch support throughout their time at BU Law and beyond. Students have full access to comprehensive career development resources and the school’s extensive global alumni network to support job searches in the United States and internationally.

BU Law’s LLM Professional Development Office is staffed by an Associate Director and a dedicated career advisor who work exclusively with LLM students, providing personalized, high-touch support throughout their studies and beyond. Students have full access to career resources and BU Law’s global alumni network to support job searches in the U.S. and internationally.

Support includes one-on-one advising, resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation, and job search strategy development. The office also offers extensive workshops and trainings, including weekly professional development programming, alumni job fairs and forums, and guidance on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and visa-related employment issues. The Professional Skills Lab further strengthens students’ preparation by focusing on cross-cultural networking and essential skills for success in a global legal market.

Through this robust and highly personalized support system, students are equipped with the tools needed to confidently pursue their career goals.

Yes, students enrolled in the LLM in American Law Program and Intellectual Property and Information Law Program may apply to the JD program as transfer students and—if they are admitted—may receive up to one-third of their JD credits from their LLM studies, consistent with American Bar Association standards. This means they may be able to complete the JD program with two additional years of study.

Yes, transfer candidates must take the LSAT. LLM students may take the LSAT as late as June for fall enrollment.

The JD Admission Committee will look closely at your academic performance during the LLM year, including strong recommendation letters from BU Law faculty members. Your LSAT scores will be considered in the context of your academic performance at BU Law and in light of the school’s median scores. Candidates should not expect to receive preferential treatment by the JD Admissions Committee simply by virtue of attending the LLM program at BU Law. Transfer candidates will be evaluated in comparison to all transfer applicants and admission is not at all guaranteed.

American Law and Intellectual Property and Information Law LLM students are eligible to receive credit for law school classes taken during the LLM year that are otherwise open to JD students.

You may enter the JD program in the fall or spring semester. For fall semester transfer candidates, please consult the JD Transfer Admissions website for a link to the online application and the most up to date information about deadlines and required materials. For spring enrollment, please contact the JD Admissions Office for a paper application and information about deadlines. Matriculated students must complete all JD program requirements within five years of beginning their LLM studies. Generally, this means students must enroll in the JD program within two years of beginning their LLM studies.

Transfer students are required to complete all requirements of the JD program, including any first-year courses not completed during the LLM program, Professional Responsibility, the upper-level writing requirement, and any additional courses as directed by their JD academic advisor.

Transfer application forms and application instructions are available at the Office of JD Admissions.