The Two-Year LLM in American Law Program is specifically designed to prepare internationally trained lawyers for the challenge of global practice. This comprehensive program immerses students in the intricacies of the US legal system, providing a deep of understanding of US doctrine in virtually any area of interest—intellectual property, international business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and alternative dispute resolution, to name only a few—they also learn something equally important: how US lawyers are trained to analyze legal questions and advocate on their clients’ behalf.
Through rigorous coursework, engaging discussions, and hands-on experiences, students develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and legal research skills. They gain proficiency in legal writing, oral advocacy, and negotiation, enabling them to effectively communicate and advocate within the American legal context and beyond. Additionally, the program fosters an appreciation for ethical considerations and the broader societal impact of the law. Graduates of a Two-Year LLM in American Law are well-prepared to pursue diverse career paths in law firms, government agencies, international organizations, corporations, and academia, where their specialized knowledge and expertise in US law make them highly sought-after professionals
No thesis requirement! This program is classroom focused, though students will likely write one or more lengthy research papers in seminars. Writing coaches are available to help with academic writing projects.
What happens in the second year?
With more than 200 courses to choose from in the second year of the program, students can select topics from virtually any area of law. They may also specialize in a particular field—such as intellectual property, tax, alternative dispute resolution, commercial law, or labor and employment—by concentrating classes in a certain area.
Students can also combine fields such as corporate and financial law and intellectual property, a popular combination at BU Law. In addition, students enrolled in the LLM in American Law Program can choose to pursue a formal concentration in Intellectual Property, Taxation, or International Business Practice; students who satisfy a concentration’s course requirements receive a separate certificate of specialization.
Concentrations
Intellectual Property and Information Law
Students study the essentials of copyright, patents, and trademark law, and also select cutting-edge topics such as e-commerce, legal issues in high-tech start-ups, technology licensing, and biotechnology and the law. The concentration requires a minimum of four classes.
Taxation
Students with professional tax experience and/or a strong background in tax studies can pursue the concentration in taxation, which requires a minimum of four specified courses taken through the JD curriculum and the school’s Graduate Tax Program. Beyond the concentration’s minimum requirements, students may also pursue further coursework in specialty practice areas, such as general business taxation, estate planning, international taxation, or financial services, depending on their professional goals and interests.
International Business Practice
Students who concentrate in International Business Practice immerse themselves in a range of business or commercial law courses. Students may select from more than 50 courses, such as International Business Transactions, Securities Regulation, International Project Finance, Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Antitrust. The concentration requires a minimum of four classes, including Corporations.
Cross-Registering in Other BU Graduate Programs
Students who want exposure to specialized topics in banking, financial law, and taxation may cross-register in classes within the Graduate Program in Banking & Financial Law and the Graduate Tax Program in their second year of the program. Classes in transnational lending, international securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions, international taxation, and securitization are popular supplements for many students in their second year of the program. Students may also cross-register for classes in their second year of the program in other Boston University graduate schools—such as the Questrom School of Business and College of Communication—and, when appropriate, receive credit toward the LLM.
Preparing For Your Legal Career
Curriculum Practicum Training (CPT)
CPT 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 career goals. Learn more…
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. The associate director will assist you in identifying opportunities. Learn more…
Taking a US 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, program directors are available to meet with students to design a study plan that balances bar preparation with other areas of interest. Learn more…
What Our Students Are Saying
The Two-Year LLM Program at Boston University School of Law stands out for how seamlessly it connects theory with real-world practice. Through this program, I learned not only the law, but also how to apply what I learn in practice, adapt to a new legal system, and grow both professionally and personally. The professors, who are not only instructors but also supporters, mentors, and even friends, play a central role in that growth. If you stay engaged and follow their guidance, you will be surprised by how much you grow before you even realize it. I can say with confidence that this program is one of the best in the United States and around the world.
An Immersive University Experience
Pro Bono Program
Students can dedicate their legal skills and expanding knowledge to address unmet legal needs in the Boston area, throughout the United States, and around the world.
LLM Discovery Series
Spending two years at BU Law allows students the opportunity to become Boston locals and to appreciate the city’s rich history. Students in the Two-Year program will also have more opportunities to visit court proceedings, attend talks by guest lecturers, and participate in the many social events hosted by the law school.
Professional Skills Lab
A one-and-a-half-day interactive program focusing on developing core professional competencies, practical skills, and long-term career management tools.
Beyond the Classroom
A full menu of extracurricular activities connects students with fellow LLM and JD classmates, the city of Boston, and the beauty of New England.