LLM in American Law Program Extends Academic Support Beyond Office Hours
A culture of academic support is a crucial part of the American Law Program at Boston University School of Law.
Boston University School of Law’s LLM in American Law Program attracts foreign-trained lawyers who seek to learn more about the American legal system and gain an understanding of how US lawyers think, approach legal problems, and handle client matters.
Many students in the American Law Program come from legal backgrounds based on civil law, and are learning common law for the first time. They also experience an entirely new classroom dynamic, based on a Socratic teaching style. Instead of passively listening to a professor’s lecture, they are expected to engage with the professor in an active classroom dialogue as they analyze judicial opinions and explore the doctrines at hand.
BU Law’s Graduate & International Programs office has a deep understanding of the challenges that foreign-trained lawyers encounter during their LLM studies and the range of support needed to help them adjust to their new academic surroundings.
“Students are navigating an entirely new academic system. Many are taking classes in English for the first time, and many are certainly taking American law classes for the first time,” says Maureen Leo, associate director of the American Law Program. “This is likely their first introduction to common law, which is very different from the law they’ve practiced in their home countries.”
BU Law’s faculty is esteemed not just for its scholarship, but for its accessibility and commitment to student success. “Ironically, one of the main adjustments for our LLM students is when they realize it is normal and expected that they visit their professors during office hours if they are confused,” says Leo. “This is a strange concept for many foreign students but an important part of the academic culture of BU Law.”
To supplement faculty support, the LLM in American Law Program has also established a teaching assistant program for many classes, in which upper-class JD students hold weekly review sessions for LLM students. “This helps fill in the gaps for students and helps build their confidence that their learning is on track,” explains Leo.
Associate Director Leo and Assistant Dean John Riccardi are closely involved in each student’s academic progress. From the initial one-on-one meetings when students develop their study plans before classes begin, to meetings that occur throughout the term, including mandatory mid-semester check-ins to ensure that any concerns are addressed. “We want to know how each student is doing,” says Riccardi. “If everything is fine, then the meeting might last five minutes, which is great. But if a student needs additional support, we want to know about that.”
Throughout the term, Riccardi and Leo hold a series of academic support workshops on such topics as case briefing, class outlining, and exam preparation. LLM in American Law students also have access to writing coaches, experienced lawyers who are available to review and give feedback on their written assignments.
“It’s a unique privilege to be able to work with our LLM students, give them an introduction to American legal academic life, and support them throughout the process,” says Leo. “Students have a lot invested in their US legal studies and the experience goes by so quickly. It’s important to us that they make the most of it.”