Applicants who received their law degree in the United States must hold a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactory graduate work as evidenced by high grade-point average or high class rank in law school. Most U.S. applicants to the University of Houston Law Center have graduated in the upper one-third of their law school classes.
Lawyers educated in other countries must hold a law degree from an accredited university, or be admitted to practice before the highest court in their jurisdiction. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactory graduate work by presenting evidence of either a high grade-point average or superior class standing at the school where they earned their law degree. A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants who earned a law degree from a country in which English is not the official language as listed on the University’s website. Countries exempt from this requirement include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Micronesia Islands, Federated States of, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Helena, South Africa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales), Virgin Islands and Zimbabwe only. The Law Center’s LL.M. program typically requires a score of 100 on the IBT-TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS-Academic or 120 on the Duolingo English exam. For the most recent updates to the University of Houston’s English proficiency language requirement for all graduate students, please visit the following webpage: https://uh.edu/graduate-school/international-students/english-proficiency/
All required application documents and materials must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service. To register for the service, go to www.lsac.org.
LSAC will forward information to the University of Houston Law Center as it is submitted by the applicant. Applications will not be reviewed, however, until a file is complete and includes all of the documents listed below.
U.S.-Educated Attorneys
Application
LSAC service fees. The application fee has been waived for all applicants who apply using the online application. You do not need a fee waiver code; your fee will be waived automatically at check out.
Official law school transcript. For applicants in their last year of study, the transcript should reflect courses currently in progress.
Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum). The statement serves as a writing sample and is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself. It is a personal interview on paper.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters. The most useful letters of recommendation are those from professors, professional colleagues or employers with whom you have had a close working relationship.
Lawyers with Non-U.S. Law Degree
Regardless of current citizenship, immigration or visa status, lawyers who obtained their legal education outside of the United States must submit the following:
Application
LSAC service fees. The application fee has been waived for all applicants who apply using the online application. You do not need a fee waiver code; your fee will be waived automatically at check out.
Official law school transcript and official certificate or diploma. The certificate or diploma should include the title of the degree received and the graduation date. Documents must be sent directly from the applicant’s university to LSAC; photocopies submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.
TOEFL or IELTS report submitted through LSAC. Countries exempt from this requirement include: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Canada [English-speaking provinces], Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, the United Kingdom, and the Virgin Islands only.
Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum). The statement of Purpose serves as a writing sample and is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself. It is a personal interview on paper.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters. The most useful letters of recommendation are those from professors, professional colleagues or employers with whom you have had a close working relationship.
Letter of Financial Backing and supporting financial documents (if requesting documentation for an F-1 student visa)
Copy of current visa, passport, or Permanent Resident Card
Applicants who have earned their 1st law degree outside of the U.S. can only begin the program in the Fall Semester
Fall Semester (August 2023) - Application available: October 1st
Applicants with Non-U.S. Law Degree
| Priority Deadline | April 15 |
Application Deadline |
May 1 |
Applicants with U.S. Law Degree
| Priority Deadline | June 1 |
Application Deadline |
August 1 |
Spring Semester (January 2023) - Applicants with U.S. Law Degree only
Application available: September 1st
| Priority Deadline | November 15 |
Application Deadline |
January 3 |
Applicants who have earned their 1st law degree outside of the U.S. can only begin the program in the Fall Semester.
Applications are not reviewed until all required information is received. Failure to provide all required information will delay processing of an application. Applications received after the stated deadlines cannot be assured review. Fees are subject to change without notice and, upon admissions, additional information and fees may be required. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but not before January 1 for the fall semester (August) or September 1 for the spring (January) admission.
