Jump to Navigation | Jump to Content
American Bar Association - Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice ABA Logo

Post J.D. Programs by Category

Admiralty/Marine Affairs/Ocean and Coastal
Tulane University, LL.M.
Miami, University of, LL.M.

Agriculture Law
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, LL.M.; M.S.

American Business Law
Tulane University, LL.M.

American Law
Boston University, LL.M.
Brigham Young University, LL.M.
Catholic University, LL.M.
Florida State University, LL.M.
Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
Minnesota, University of, LL.M.
Saint Louis University, LL.M.
Tulsa, University of, LL.M.
Temple University, LL.M.
Wake Forest University, LL.M.

American Legal Studies
Hofstra University, LL.M.
Regent University, LL.M.
St. Mary's University, LL.M.
Seattle University, LL.M.
Touro College, LL.M.
Vermont School of Law, LL.M.

American Legal System
Michigan State University, LL.M.
William & Mary Law School, LL.M.

As Approved
California, University of-Los Angeles, LL.M.
Georgetown University, S.J.D.
Indiana University-Bloomington, LL.M.; Ph.D.
Louisiana State University, LL.M.; M.C.L.
Michigan, University of, LL.M.; M.C.L.; S.J.D.
Northwestern University, LL.M.; M.S.L.; S.J.D.
Pennsylvania, University of, LL.M.; M.C.L.; S.J.D.
Pittsburgh, University of, J.S.D.
Stanford University, J.S.D.; J.S.M.
Vanderbilt University, LL.M.
Wisconsin, University of, LL.M.; M.L.I.; S.J.D.

Asian and Comparative Law
Washington, University of, LL.M.; Ph.D.

Banking and Finance Law
Boston University, LL.M.
Chicago-Kent-Illinois Institute of Technology, LL.M.
Fordham University, LL.M.
Wayne State University, LL.M.
Widener University, LL.M.

Bankruptcy Law
St. John's University, LL.M.

Biotechnology and Genomics
Arizona State University, LL.M.

Business Law
California, University of-Los Angeles, LL.M.
Capital University, LL.M.
Loyola University-Chicago, L.L.M.; M.J.
Samford University, LL.M.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.

Child and Family Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT, LL.M.
Hofstra University School of Law, LL.M.
Loyola University-Chicago, LL.M.; M.J.

Comparative Law/Comparative Legal Studies/Comparative Legal Thought
Alabama, University of, LL.M.
California Western University, LL.M., M.C.L.
Cardozo School of Law, LL.M.
Denver, University of, LL.M.
Florida, University of, LL.M.
Indiana University-Bloomington, M.C.L.
Miami, University of, LL.M.
Notre Dame Law School, LL.M.
Pace University, LL.M.
Pennsylvania State University, LL.M.
Pittsburgh, University of, LL.M.
Samford University, M.C.L.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.
San Francisco, University of, LL.M.
Santa Clara University, LL.M.
Southern Methodist University, LL.M.
Southern California, University of, M.C.L.
Tulane University, M.C.L.

Corporate Law
New York University, LL.M.
Samford University, LL.M.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.
Stanford University, LL.M.
Wayne State University, LL.M.
Widener University, LL.M.

Criminal Law
Buffalo, University at, LL.M.
Franklin Pierce Law Center, M.A.S. (International Law)

Democratic Governance and Rule of Law
Ohio Northern University

Dispute Resolution
George Washington, LL.M.
Missouri-Columbia, University of, LL.M
Pepperdine University, M.D.R., LL.M.

Education Law
Nova Southeastern University, M.E.L.

Elder Law
Kansas, University of, LL.M.
Western New England College, LL.M.

Employee Benefits
The John Marshall Law School, LL.M.

Employment Law
Nova Southeastern University, M.A.L.
Wayne State University, LL.M.

Energy, Environment/Natural Resources
Denver, University of, LL.M.
George Washington University, LL.M.
Golden Gate University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
Lewis and Clark College, LL.M.
Oregon, University of, LL.M.
Pace University, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Pacific-McGeorge, University of, LL.M.
Tulane University, LL.M.
Utah, University of, LL.M.
Vermont Law School, LL.M.; M.S.E.L.

Entertainment and Media Law
California, University of-Los Angeles
Southwestern University, LL.M.

Estate Planning
Miami, University of, LL.M.
Missouri-Kansas City, University of, J.D./LL.M.
Western New England College, LL.M.

Foreign Scholars Program
Houston, University of, LL.M.

General
Alabama, University of, LL.M.
American University, S.J.D.
California-Berkeley, University of , LL.M.; J.S.D.
Boston College, LL.M.
Buffalo, University at, LL.M.
Cardozo School of Law , LL.M.
Chicago, University of, LL.M.; S.J.D.; M.C.L; D.C.L.
Cleveland State University, LL.M.
Columbia University, LL.M.; J.S.D.
Cornell University, LL.M.; J.S.D.
Duquesne University, LL.M.; LL.M.
Emory University, LL.M.
George Washington University, LL.M.
Georgetown University, LL.M.
Georgia, University of, LL.M.
Hamline University, LL.M.
Harvard University, LL.M.
Hawaii, University of, LL.M.
Illinois, University of, LL.M.; J.S.D.
Indiana University-Indianapolis, S.J.D.
Kansas, University of, S.J.D.
Missouri-Kansas City, University of, LL.M.
New York University, LL.M.; J.S.D.
Northwestern University, LL.M.
Ohio State University, LL.M.; M.S.L.
Samford University, LL.M.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.
Southern California, University of, LL.M.
Southern Illinois University, LL.M.; M.L.S.
Southern Methodist University, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Southwestern University, LL.M.
Temple University, LL.M.
Texas, University of, LL.M.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.S.D.
Toledo, University of, M.S.
Touro College, LL.M.
Tulane University, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Virginia, University of, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Wisconsin, University of, LL.M.; S.J.D.; M.L.I.
Yale University, LL.M.; J.S.D.

Government/Public Policy/Law and Government
Albany Law School, LL.M.
American University, LL.M.
George Washington University, LL.M.
Pacific-McGeorge, University of, LL.M.

Health Law
Albany Law School, LL.M.
California Western, M.A.S.
DePaul University, LL.M.
Georgetown University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
Loyola University-Chicago, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Nova Southeastern University, M.H.L.
Quinnipiac University, LL.M.
Saint Louis University, LL.M.
Seton Hall University, LL.M.
Southern Illinois University, LL.M.
Widener University, LL.M.; S.J.D.; M.J.; D.L

Human Rights
Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
Notre Dame Law School, LL.M.; S.J.D.
St. Thomas University, LL.M.

Indigenous Law
Arizona, University of, LL.M.
Arizona State University, LL.M.
Tulsa, University of, LL.M.

Insurance Law
Connecticut, University of, LL.M.

Information Technology
Fordham University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
The John Marshall Law School, LL.M.

Intellectual Property
Akron, University of, LL.M.
Albany Law School, LL.M.
Boston University, LL.M.
Cardozo School of Law, LL.M.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, LL.M.
Dayton, University of, LL.M.; M.L.S.
DePaul University, LL.M.
Fordham University, LL.M.
Franklin Pierce Law Center, LL.M.
George Mason University, LL.M.
George Washington University, LL.M.
Golden Gate University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
The John Marshall Law School, LL.M.; M.S.
Michigan State University College of Law LL.M.; M.J.
San Francisco, University of, LL.M.
Santa Clara University, LL.M.
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, LL.M.
Washington University, LL.M.
Washington, University of, LL.M.

International Law/International Legal Studies/Comparative Law
Albany Law School, LL.M.
American University, LL.M.
Case Western University, LL.M.
Chicago-Kent-Illinois Institute of Technology, LL.M.
Cornell Law School, LL.M.
Duke University, LL.M.
Georgetown University,
George Washington University, LL.M.
Golden Gate University, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Hofstra University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
Howard University, LL.M.
Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
Iowa, University of, LL.M.
The John Marshall Law School, LL.M.
Louisiana State University, LL.M.
Loyola Law School-Los Angeles, LL.M.
Miami, University of, LL.M.
New York University, LL.M.
Notre Dame, University of, LL.M.
Pittsburgh, University of, LL.M; J.S.D.
Puerto Rico, University of, LL.M.
Samford University, LL.M.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.
Southern Methodist University, LL.M.
Stetson University, LL.M.
St. Mary's University, LL.M.
Santa Clara University, LL.M.
Temple University, LL.M.
Tulane University, LL.M.
Willamette University, LL.M.

International Business and Trade Law/Economic Law
Arizona, University of, LL.M.
Fordham University, LL.M.
Georgetown University, LL.M.
John Marshall Law School, The, LL.M.
Pacific-McGeorge, University of, LL.M.
San Francisco, University of, LL.M.

International Taxation
Florida, University of, LL.M.
Michigan, University of, LL.M.
New York University, LL.M.
St. Thomas University, J.S.D.
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, LL.M.

Inter-American Law
Miami, University of, LL.M.

Judicial Process
Virginia, University of, LL.M.

Juridical Studies
Virginia, University of, LL.M.

Labor and Employment Law
New York University, LL.M.
Wayne State University, LL.M.

Latin American Studies/Comparative Law
Tulane University, LL.M.

Law and Economics
George Mason University, LL.M.

Law, Religion, and Culture
Samford University, LL.M.; S.J.D.

Law and Technology/Science
Dayton University, LL.M.; M.L.S.
Franklin Pierce Law Center, LL.M.; M.S.L.
Stanford University, LL.M.
Suffolk University, LL.M.
Washington University, LL.M.

Legal Theory
New York University, LL.M.

Litigation/Trial Advocacy/Dispute Resolution
California Western, LL.M.
Emory University, LL.M.
George Washington University, LL.M.
Temple University, LL.M.

Military Law
Judge Advocate General's School, LL.M.

Prosecutorial Science
Chapman University, LL.M.

Real Estate/Land Development
John Marshall Law School, The, LL.M.
Miami, University of, LL.M.
Pace University, LL.M.

Research
Duke University, S.J.D.
Indiana University-Bloomington, S.J.D.
Washington University, J.S.D.

Securities and Financial Regulation
Georgetown University, LL.M.

Sports Law
Marquette University, LL.M.

Sustainable International Development
Washington, University of, LL.M.

Taxation
Alabama, University of, LL.M.
Baltimore, University of, LL.M.
Boston University, LL.M.
Capital University, LL.M.
Chapman University, LL.M.
Chicago-Kent-Illinois Institute of Technology, LL.M.
Denver, University of, LL.M.
DePaul University, LL.M.
Emory University, LL.M.
Florida, University of, LL.M.; S.J.D.
Georgetown University, LL.M.
Golden Gate University, LL.M.
Houston, University of, LL.M.
John Marshall Law School, The, LL.M.
Loyola Marymount University-Los Angeles, LL.M.
Loyola University-Chicago, LL.M.
Miami, University of, LL.M.
Missouri-Kansas City, University of, LL.M.
New York Law School, LL.M.

New York University, LL.M.
Northwestern University, LL.M.
Samford University, LL.M.
San Diego, University of, LL.M.
Southern Methodist University, LL.M.
Temple University, LL.M.
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, LL.M.
Villanova University, LL.M.
Washington University, LL.M.
Washington, University of, LL.M.
Wayne State University, LL.M.

Trade Regulation
New York University, LL.M.

Tribal Policy, Law, and Government
Arizona State University, LL.M.

Urban Affairs/Urban Studies
Missouri-Kansas City, University of, LL.M.
Washington University, LL.M.

U.S. Law/U.S. Legal System
Baltimore, University of LL.M.
California-Davis, University of, LL.M.
California-Hastings, University of, LL.M.
Connecticut, University of, LL.M.
Duke University, LL.M.
Golden Gate University, LL.M.
Santa Clara University, LL.M.
Suffolk University, LL.M.
Washington and Lee University, LL.M.
Washington University, LL.M.
Whittier Law School, LL.M.


U.S. Legal Studies Programs for Foreign Lawyers or International Students

  • Alabama, University of, LL.M.
  • Boston University, LL.M.
  • Brigham Young University, LL.M.
  • California-Hastings, LL.M.
  • California-Los Angeles, University of, LL.M.
  • California Western, LL.M./M.C.L.
  • Case Western Reserve University, LL.M.
  • Catholic University of America, LL.M.
  • Connecticut, University of, LL.M.
  • Denver, University of, LL.M.
  • Duke University, LL.M.
  • Duquesne University
  • Georgetown University, LL.M.
  • Golden Gate University, LL.M.
  • Hawaii, University of, LL.M.
  • Hamline University, LL.M.
  • Houston, University of, LL.M.
  • Howard University, LL.M.
  • Indiana University-Indianapolis, LL.M.
  • Louisiana State University, LL.M.
  • Marquette University, LL.M.
  • Michigan State University, LL.M.
  • Miami, University of, LL.M.
  • Minnesota, University of, LL.M.
  • New York University, LL.M.
  • Ohio State University, LL.M.
  • Pace University, LL.M.
  • Saint Louis University, LL.M
  • St. Mary's University, LL.M.
  • St. John's University, LL.M.
  • San Diego, University of, LL.M.
  • San Francisco, University of, LL.M.
  • Santa Clara University, LL.M.
  • Seattle University, LL.M.
  • Southern California, University of, LL.M.
  • Suffolk University, LL.M.
  • Temple University, LL.M.
  • Touro Collge, LL.M.
  • Tulsa, University of, LL.M.
  • Valparaiso University, LL.M.
  • Vanderbilt University, LL.M.
  • Wake Forest University, LL.M.
  • Washington and Lee University, LL.M.
  • Washington University, LL.M.
  • Whittier School of Law, LL.M.
  • William & Mary, College of, LL.M.
  • A Note to Graduates of Law Schools Located Outside the United States:
    Degrees Other Than a J.D. and Bar Admissions

    In order to obtain a license to practice law in the United States, all candidates must apply for bar admission through a state board of bar examiners. Although this board is ordinarily an agency of the highest court in the jurisdiction, occasionally the board is connected to the state's bar association. The criteria for eligibility to take the bar examination or to otherwise qualify for bar admission are set by each state, not by the ABA or the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

    In order to sit for the bar examination, most states require an applicant to hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school that meets established educational standards. A J.D. earned at an ABA-approved law school meets the educational requirements in every jurisdiction in the United States. For those individuals who have not earned a J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school, bar admission authorities have developed varying requirements and criteria to ascertain if such individuals meet the minimum educational requirements for bar admission. In most jurisdictions individuals who lack such a J.D. will find that they do not satisfy the minimum educational requirements for bar admission and are ineligible to take the bar exam. In some of the remaining states, graduates of foreign law schools will find that additional schooling such as an LL.M. is required, and a few others recognize with regularity the sufficiency of a specific foreign legal education. A number offer an alternative licensure mechanism known as a Foreign Legal Consultant which is a limited license to practice. And finally, some jurisdictions will allow individuals to be eligible for admission without examination under certain conditions if they have been admitted to the bar in another U.S. jurisdiction.

    In the past few years, there has been a large increase in the number of graduates from schools located outside the United States enrolled in advanced degree programs (such as the LL.M.). In fact, roughly half of all the individuals currently enrolled in LL.M. programs are graduates of foreign law schools. Upon graduating, many of these individuals return to their home country without seeking or obtaining bar licensure in the United States. However, an increasing number of these individuals seek to be admitted to a state bar.

    Unlike the J.D. degree bestowed by an ABA-approved law school, which carries the indicia that the holder of that degree has completed a course of study imparting standards entitling him or her to engage in the practice of law, advanced degree programs at ABA-approved law schools are not regulated, and thus, not "approved." As a result, such degrees vary in content and rigor. In other words, the American Bar Association does NOT accredit degrees of any kind other than the J.D.

    It is the position of the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association that no graduate degree in law (LL.M., M.C.L., S.J.D., etc.) is or should be a substitute for the first professional degree in law (J.D.) and that no graduate degree should substitute for the J.D. in order to meet the legal education requirements for admission to the bar.

    As a result of the variance in state bar admission rules, the ABA strongly encourages individuals to contact the state board of bar examiners in the state(s) in which they are interested in being admitted to ascertain its requirements to sit for the bar examination. Contact information and a summary of bar admission requirements for all U.S. jurisdictions is available in the Section's Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements publication which is available online at http://www.abanet.org/legaled/baradmissions/bar.html or through the ABA Service Center at 800.285-2221, Product Code: 5290087 (02ED).

     

     

    Back to Top

    Copyright American Bar Association. http://www.abanet.org