Application Procedure and Deadlines

U.S. educated lawyers can begin their LL.M. studies in August or September.  Lawyers who earned their law degree outside of the United States must begin the program in August.

August Admission:          March 1 application deadline
January Admission:         October 1 application deadline

Applications are not reviewed until we receive all required materials.  Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but not before January 1 for August admission or September 1 for January admission.

Applications for U.S. and foreign-educated LL.M. students and all supporting materials can be sent directly to the Law Center or through the Law School Credential Service (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service.

ALL applicants applying directly to the Law Center must provide:
 

• Click here for an application form.  Complete application online, print and submit.
• Statement of Purpose serves as a writing sample and states reason for pursuing the LL.M. degree. The statement should be a minimum of 300 words and include a description of the applicant's professional activities since earning the degree in law. If an applicant has special circumstances they wish to have considered, these should be included in the Statement of Purpose.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
• Two reference letters. One letter should be from an academic source. Applicants can include the letters when submitting other application materials. Both envelopes should have the recommender's signature on the flap of the sealed envelope. The letters can also be sent directly to the Graduate Legal Studies Office at the Law Center.
• Official transcript/academic record (see note below for applicants with non-U.S. law degree).
• $70 application fee

Applicants with Non-U.S. Law Degree:  Additional Application Requirements  
Applicants who earned their degree outside of the United States, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, must also submit the following information and materials to be considered for admission:

• TOEFL Report required of applicants who obtained their law degree from a country where English is not the official language.
• Photocopy of passport, current visa, permanent resident card, and/or U.S. naturalization certificate.
• Statement of Understanding.
• Letter of Financial Backing. (for applicants requesting an I-20)  Required of applicants requesting a Certificate of Eligibility, I-20 form, for F-1 visa.
•  Official transcript and official translation. If transcript does not include graduation date and name of degree earned, submit an official diploma or certificate of graduation. Documents should be sent directly to the Law Center from the applicant's law school or through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service.  (Use of the Credential Assembly Service is optional.)
• Additional fee: $75 international fee. (Fee is NOT required if academic documents are submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service.)

 

Transfer and Visiting Students
Considerations for transfer and visiting students include available space at the Law Center, academic performance at all previous schools and compelling circumstances. 

Students who wish to transfer to the LL.M. program at the University of Houston Law Center must have performed well in an LL.M. program at an ABA-approved law school.  The minimum grade for transfer credit is "B."  A minimum of 18 credit hours (including all concentration coursework) must be completed at the UH Law Center to be awarded the LL.M. degree.  For more information, contact the Graduate Legal Studies Office at 713.743.2890.

For information about application after a deadline, contact llm@uh.edu.