Program Options

• Two-Year LLM in Tax Law and Two-Year Master in the Study of Tax Law

• Two-Year LLM in Banking & Financial Law Program

• Two-Year LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Law Program

• Two-Year LLM in American Law Program

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Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for: 

• Academically strong lawyers who trained outside the United States and want to strengthen their legal English and gain a strong foundation in US law.

If you already studied law in English at a high level, a one-year LLM may be a better fit.

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Admission Requirements

Two-Year LLM applicants must have a first degree in law and English proficiency. 

• TOEFL: Beginning January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT will report scores on a new 1–6 band scale. Applicants to the Two-Year LLM Program must achieve a minimum overall TOEFL score of 4.0, with a minimum of 3.5 on each of the individual sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing). For tests taken before January 21, 2026, the existing requirement of 85 (0–120 scale) will continue to apply.
• IELTS: a combined score of 5.5 or higher, with no individual section below 5.0.

If you do not meet the required minimum scores you are still encouraged to apply, as we assess applications based on a variety of factors in addition to English proficiency scores.

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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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First Year Required Courses

Most LLM students take the same courses in the first year. Select a program option above to view second year required courses and electives.

Two-Year LLM students also take LAW SL 697S Academic Skills for the International Lawyer, except for those in the LLM in Banking and Financial Law program, who take LAW BK 904 Financial Services Fundamentals. Both are 0-credit, 2-week summer courses.

Review these sample course schedules from Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 to see typical required course offerings and timing. Current students should check www.bu.edu/studentlink to view their actual schedules.

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Preparing for Your Legal Career

Many students have clear career plans upon completing the LLM program. Some return to their former employers, while others begin internships before joining their home country’s bar. Many other graduates leverage their BU Law degrees to find new positions in their home countries, often by participating in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP) that takes place each January in New York—BU Law is one of the few schools invited to participate. A smaller number of students find permanent work in the United States.

Curriculum Practicum Training (CPT)

One unique feature of the Two-Year LLM program is its incorporation of Curriculum Practical Training (CPT), which provides students on F-1 visas with invaluable opportunities to gain practical work experience in the second year of study. CPT allows students to engage in internships, externships, or other work placements that align with their academic and career goals. By working alongside legal professionals in real-world settings, students can apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their first year of coursework to tackle complex legal issues, hone their professional judgment, and develop a deep understanding of the practical application of American law.

This hands-on experience not only enhances students’ legal acumen but also helps them build a professional network, gain exposure to different areas of law, and make informed decisions about their future career paths. The inclusion of CPT in the Two-Year LLM program offers students a unique advantage in their journey to becoming well-rounded legal practitioners. Students will be required to hold weekly check-ins with a designated faculty member and complete a short reflection piece as part of the CPT opportunity. 

Optional Practical Training

Graduates may seek to stay in the United States for a period of time after graduation—as permitted under visa regulations—to obtain practical work experience in a firm, company, or other organization. As an internationally trained LLM graduate, finding short-term, post-graduation work in the United States can be challenging, but it is not impossible; each year some students secure positions in the United States for up to a year and beyond. 

Throughout your time at BU, you will be guided and supported by a full-time associate director for professional development dedicated solely to LLM career issues. The associate director will assist you in identifying opportunities, preparing for interviews, and presenting yourself to the US legal market. Many LLM students find internships through connections from their home countries; you are encouraged to arrive in the United States with a list of connections to explore if you want to pursue an internship after Commencement.

Taking a US Bar Exam

Many Two-Year LLM students have the goal of passing a US state bar exam. While the Two-Year LLM Program is not specifically designed to prepare students to take a state bar exam in the United States, the program’s flexible curriculum will enable you to design a course of study leading to a high-level understanding of the US legal system. The Director and Associate Director of International Graduate Programs are available to meet with students to design a study plan that balances bar preparation with other areas of interest. Each state has its own rules regarding the eligibility of internationally trained lawyers to sit for the bar exam; you should visit the American Bar Association’s website to learn about the requirements in each state. The current rules in New York, Massachusetts, and a handful of other states allow certain LLM students to sit for the exam under specified conditions. Each year, a majority of LLM students take the New York or Massachusetts bar exam after Commencement.

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Why Pursue a Two-Year LLM?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find more answers on the Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Admissions and Tuition and Fees pages. Note that Two-Year LLM students will be charged the applicable tuition and fees for full-time LLM studies. Additional tuition and fees will be assessed for the required summer coursework: Academic Skills for the International Lawyers or Financial Services Fundamentals.

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Featured Instructors

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  Brooke Arlington

  Lecturer

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  John LaPlante

  Associate Director, International Graduate Programs

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  Donna Palermino

  Lecturer

• 

  Rebecca Pendleton

  Lecturer