
Application Procedure for Applicants with Foreign Law Degrees
Applicants who are in the Houston area are invited to visit an Introduction to American Law class and meet foreign students currently in the program. The class meets Monday and Wednesday afternoon through October 31. Call 713.743.2890 or email pfortner@central.uh.edu to schedule a visit.
Students with foreign law degrees may choose one of two degree programs: the 24-hour LLM program, or the 90-hour JD program. This information session is designed to help foreign-educated attorneys decide which program is right for them. The session will include information on the LLM program and course requirements, the JD program and course requirements, and the admissions process for each.
To RSVP, please contact the Admissions office at 713-743-2280 or at lawadmissions@uh.edu.
For directions and parking information, please visit http://www.law.uh.edu/admissions/visiting-uhlc.html
Regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, applicants whose legal education was obtained outside of the United States must comply with the following requirements to be considered for admission. A complete application package must contain:
- Application Form, available at www.law.uh.edu/LL.M..
- $70 Application Fee, payable to University of Houston.
- $75 International Admissions Fee, payable to University of Houston. The international admissions fee is required of all applicants with a degree earned outside of the United States. It should be submitted as a separate check or money order.
- Official Law School Transcript and Official Certificate or Diploma. If documents are not in English, official translations must be sent with applications. Photocopies will not be accepted. The transcript, diploma, and translation(s) must be sent directly to the UH Law Center Graduate Legal Studies Office or submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service.*
- TOEFL Report. Applicants who obtained their law degree from a country where English is not the official language must submit a TOEFL report. UH Law Center requires a score of 600 on the paper-based exam, or 100 on the Internet-based test. ETS should send the report to the UH Law Center (Institution 6870, Department 03) or through the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service.*
- Statement of Purpose serves as a writing sample and states reasons for pursuing the LL.M. degree in the United States. It should be a minimum of 300 words and include a description of the applicant’s professional activities since earning their law degree. If an applicant has special circumstances they wish to have considered, these should be included in the statement of purpose.
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae.
- Two reference letters, one of which should be from an academic source. The recommender’s signature should be on the flap of each sealed envelope.
- Letter of Financial Backing and Statement of Understanding are required of any student requesting an F-1 student visa. The forms can be downloaded at
www.law.uh.edu/LL.M./foreign.pdf and must be included with the application. - Copy of Current Visa or Permanent Resident Card.
* Applicants have the option of using the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service to submit their official law school transcript TOEFL report to the UH Law Center. More information about this option is available at www.LL.M..lsac.org.