Application Process

What are the basic requirements for application?
Applicants for the LL.M. program must have completed their law degree at an accredited U.S. law school or a non-U.S. law school with substantially equivalent standards and must have a strong record of academic accomplishments. More about our requirements...

What is the application deadline, and when can I begin submitting my application material?
You may submit your application any time after August 1. The application deadline for academic year 2009-2010 is November 15, 2008. See our step-by-step instructions...

When will the decisions be made? Are the decisions made on a rolling basis?
Decisions are typically made in mid-March. All decisions are made at the same time, not on a rolling basis. See our step-by-step instructions...

How do I apply for financial aid?
Financial aid is not determined until after admission. At that time, a financial aid form is completed. Financial aid is available to all applicants and is based on need. Learn more about your options for financial aid.

Exams

Must I take any exams such as the LSAT, GRE, or TOEFL?
The LSAT and GRE are not required. The TOEFL is required if English is not your primary language. More about the TOEFL...

What code numbers do I indicate so Yale Law School may receive my TOEFL report?
Yale Law School's Institution Code is 3997. The Law School Department Code is 03. If using the LSAC's LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, the LSAC institution code is 8395. More about the TOEFL...

Transcripts and Recommendations

My school does not provide transcripts, or only supplies one original. What should I provide?
We accept several forms of academic records when official transcripts are not available. More about transcripts...

My transcripts and/or recommendations are not in English. Must I have them translated?
Yes. All documents submitted must be in English. Translations must be made and certified by an official translator. You should submit both the original and the translated versions. More about transcripts...

Should the transcripts and recommendations be sent together with the application forms, or may I or my referees send them separately?
Either way is acceptable. See our step-by-step application instructions.

Calendar

When should I plan to arrive?
In order to arrange housing, you should plan to arrive by early August. You should also plan to attend the orientation session in late August. View the academic calendar.

When are classes in session?
Generally, the first week of September until mid-May. View the academic calendar.

Is the program available part-time? Nights? Summers? And does Yale offer the LL.M. through correspondence or long-distance learning?
No. Read about the LL.M. academic program...

Academics

What courses are offered at Yale Law School?
A current course listing can be viewed at the Law School's website. You can also learn much more about the academic environment at Yale Law School.

Does Yale Law School offer specializations within the LL.M program?
No. There is only one LL.M. program at Yale Law School, and it is a generalized program. Courses are elective, and students tailor their studies to their own interests. See the LL.M. academics page.

May I take courses in other departments at Yale?
Yes. Up to 6 units of credit toward the degree can be earned outside the Law School. More about academic requirements...

Can I take the bar exam to practice law once I complete the LL.M.?
The LL.M. degree from Yale Law School makes one eligible to take the bar exam in some states, but it does not prepare you for it. The program is primarily for law graduates who are seriously interested in law teaching. More about preparation for the bar exam...

If accepted to the LL.M. program, would I automatically be admitted to the J.S.D. program?
Admission to J.S.D. candidacy does not follow automatically from admission to the LL.M. program or from the award of the LL.M. degree. Admission is highly selective and rests entirely on an independent judgment of your J.S.D. proposal and academic record by the Graduate Committee. More about applying for the J.S.D....

If I am selected, may I defer for one or more years?
Due to the small size of the admitted class, Yale Law School does not offer deferred admission. If you are admitted but cannot accept our offer, you may reapply. Admission is not guaranteed, however, as decisions are made independent of previous years.