American Legal Studies

Applicants must register with LSAC in order to apply online. Registration involves answering a limited number of questions; however, no fee is required to register.

The American Legal Studies program should appeal to foreign law graduates who are encouraged to obtain legal training in U.S. law and practice in order to compete more effectively with U.S. law firms operating in foreign countries.The program helps to qualify a candidate for eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar Examinations and to be admitted to practice law in New York. Foreign law graduates who seek U.S. law training in order to make themselves more attractive to U.S. law firms and corporations will also benefit from this degree program. The Law School's package of courses in American Litigation and Advocacy should be of particular interest to foreign law graduates who want comprehensive exposure to American approaches to litigation theory and techniques in a variety of lecture, simulation and practice settings. The Law School is the Northeast region's base for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and the Hofstra faculty has extensive expertise in American litigation and advocacy.

Requirements for the LL.M.

Applicants for this LL.M. program must hold a degree in law from an accredited foreign law school.  

Candidates with undergraduate law degrees from foreign institutions are required to take a one week course in the U.S. legal system prior to the start of fall classes. There is no additional cost for this course.

LL.M. candidates must complete 24 credit hours of courses from the Hofstra Law School curriculum. Typically, credits are earned in one academic year, or two semesters, based on full-time attendance. Candidates may elect to complete the LL.M. requirements on a part-time basis for no more than four semesters.

Candidates must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 to receive the Master of Laws (LL.M.). An LL.M. American Legal Studies student who earns 24 credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.2 may receive a certificate of completion and may be eligible for admission to practice law in New York after passing the New York State Bar Examination.

All LL.M. candidates must take Legal Writing and Research in their first fall semester. This course will help all candidates understand the structure of legal documents and to communicate effectively.

All LL.M. candidates must complete one research paper in a seminar taught by a full-time faculty member or submit a substantial research paper for an approved independent study. A grade of C+ or higher must be received on the final paper.