General LL.M.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) one-year program provides a concentrated post-graduate legal study program for practicing lawyers or graduates of foreign or domestic law schools. Candidates for this program include:

• Foreign lawyers and law graduates seeking training in U.S. legal doctrine and skills; and
• U.S. lawyers and law graduates wishing to pursue an advanced study in chosen areas of focus.

Students have the option to pursue a thesis or non-thesis Master of Laws degree. Students may be enrolled on either a full-time or part-time basis.

All General Master of Laws (LL.M.) students must complete 24 credit hours including at least three upper-level courses in one of the following focus areas:

• Customizable in-residence program at our Fort Worth campus -- build your own curriculum. Sample areas of study include:
  • Business and Commercial Law
  • Criminal Law
• International Tax (Online)
• Risk Management (Online)
• Wealth Management (Online)

Our programs ​are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Additionally, these programs have obtained acquiescence from the American Bar Association (ABA).

As part of the 24 credit hours, graduates of foreign law schools will be required to take a concentrated introductory course on the U.S. legal system, Introduction to the U.S. Legal System. This course will familiarize students with the structure of the U.S. legal system, fundamentals of legal reasoning and analysis, and core concepts in the major areas of U.S. doctrinal law.

All students must take an upper-level writing or drafting course. An LL.M. colloquium, a regularly scheduled colloquium that will include an overview and discussion of selected issues, will be offered.

Admissions Decisions

Admission decisions are based on a thorough review of each applicant’s file. While the strength of the applicant’s complete academic record figures prominently in the process, a multitude of factors are considered in ascertaining an applicant’s probability of successfully completing the program of study. While satisfying the minimum admission criteria qualifies the applicant to be considered, meeting the minimum criteria for admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the program.

Prior Degree Requirements

• Applicants for admission must have an earned Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Foreign educated lawyers must possess a degree equivalent to the Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Timetables

• By cohort:
  • For Fall: Application deadline:July 1
  • For Spring: Application deadline: November 1
• Applications are ​accepted on a rolling basis with cohorts starting Fall and Spring.
• Applications and all associated paperwork will need to be submitted through LSAC or to the law school directly in a timely manner ​to ensure you matriculate into your preferred cohort.
• We encourage you to apply early to receive a timely admissions decision.
• The Admissions Committee will give careful consideration to timely submitted applications until reaching program capacity.

Application

All LL.M. applicants may register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service in order to access the electronic application and submit the required documents necessary to complete the admissions process via LSAC or apply through the school of law directly.

Required for Admission

To be considered for admission, an applicant may submit the following items through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service or choose to apply through the school of law directly via pdf form:

• A completed LL.M. application through LSAC or the pdf application if applying to the school of law directly.
• Application fee (non-refundable)
  • $65 for the U.S. educated applicants and $90 for foreign-educated applicants. Submit a check or money order payable to Texas A&M University.
• A descriptive resume including details about:
  • The applicant’s educational background, honor societies, military service, extracurricular activities, public/community service, honors and awards, publications, foreign language proficiencies, and any other significant achievements and involvements.
  • The applicant’s relevant work history. Be sure to include the name of the employer or organization, location, dates of employment, position(s) held, a general description of duties performed, and any employer-recognized achievements.
• A statement of interest typed, double-spaced not exceeding two pages. The statement should address:
  • The applicant’s program of interest – see options listed above.
  • The applicant’s educational and professional experiences have prepared him or her for advanced legal study.
  • The applicant’s professional plans and goals following completion of the program of study.
• Statements, if applicable, explaining affirmative answers to questions in the Character and Fitness section of the application.
• Two letters of recommendation, submitted through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, attesting to the applicant’s readiness for advanced legal study. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit recommendation letters from current or former law school professors and past or present supervisors. Letters of recommendation based primarily on personal relationships should be avoided.
• Official academic transcripts, submitted either through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service or to the school of law directly, from all undergraduate, graduate, and law schools attended, including final transcripts reflecting the conferral of all degrees earned – associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral.

Foreign Educated Lawyers - Transcript Evaluation:

Foreign-educated applicants, those who completed their bachelor’s degree outside the U.S., its territories, or Canada, are required to submit all transcripts with an official English translation. Official translations must be prepared by a recognized translation service and include all original seals and/or signatures. Applicants currently attending a U.S. institution may arrange for their current school to submit copies of their official transcript(s) directly to the School of Law (See Page 10 of the application pdf).

Foreign Educated Lawyers - English Language Proficiency:

In addition to all other application requirements, foreign-educated applicants must demonstrate their English language proficiency. Applicants should consult the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies for the most up-to-date information regarding English proficiency verification.

Once the applicant completes and submits the electronic application, the law school will automatically request an official copy of the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service report from LSAC. Please note, an application will not be considered complete until the law school receives each of the items listed above through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service.

Explore Fort Worth

Students enrolled in the in-residence ​LL.M. program at the Fort Worth campus enjoy a vibrant city that is a great place to learn, live and work. Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, Frisco, and all the cities in between offer unsurpassed quality of life with abundant opportunities to advance your career. As the #2 area for job growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017) and home to over 20 Fortune 500 companies, it's an incredible area to ​expand your professional network.

The 21st-century lawyer has to do more than just try cases in court. You’ll need the ability to negotiate agreements, draft contracts, craft settlements, and mediate disputes. At Texas A&M University School of Law, we’ve got you covered. Our innovative J.D. program emphasizes the importance of real-world legal skills that will fully prepare you for all aspects of your career.

There is more than one type of lawyer. In the 21st century, practicing lawyers serve a wide variety of clients in various capacities and in countless industries. At Texas A&M University School of Law, you can keep your options open by pursuing a broad education. Or you can choose one of three distinct paths that we offer. Within each of these paths, you can even choose to focus on particular areas of practice, like intellectual property or oil and gas law.

Choosing a law school means choosing your home for the next few years, and you won’t find a better place to learn and live than Fort Worth. Fort Worth offers unsurpassed quality of life, a legal community that welcomes and mentors young lawyers, and access to a broad range of employers in various practice settings including law firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the legal departments of corporations.