American Legal Studies LL.M. for foreign-trained lawyers (fall semester enrollment only)
Family Law LL.M. (fall and spring semester enrollment)

For students attending full-time, the degree can be completed in two semesters or one academic year. For students attending part-time, the LL.M. degree can be completed in four semesters or two academic years.

You must complete 24 credit hours of courses from the Hofstra University School of Law curriculum.

No. You must take 24 credit hours from the Hofstra University School of Law curriculum.

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00.

A complete LLM application will contain: application, two letters of recommendation, $75 application fee, personal statement, official law school transcripts.

Foreign-educated applicants must also send their official law school transcripts with certified English translations. Certified translations services may be arranged through World Educational Services or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. If your academic legal training was in a language other than English you must also submit your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The Educational Testing Service administers the TOEFL.

Yes, if you apply online through the Hofstra Law School Web site.

No. We will only accept original documents with an official signature of the Dean or Registrar for Academic Records on undergraduate and law school transcripts. Foreign applicants must also have their transcripts certified.

Students are eligible to begin an LL.M. program immediately after completing their law degree.

LL.M. Family Law, American Legal Studies full-time
Tuition: $39,014.00
Fees: $626.00

LL.M. American Legal Studies part-time
Tuition: $19,507
Fees: $394

LL.M. Family Law part-time (for 2009-10 only; thereafter this program will be billed on a per semester basis)
$1,390.00 per credit hour plus fees

Fees in Detail

We do not offer any of the above financial options; however, you may want to investigate your options of financing an advanced law degree through some of the financial resources listed on the Hofstra Law School Web site.

The TOEFL is required if your native language is not English. However, if you can prove that your degree in law was taught in English, you do not need to take the TOEFL.

600 for the paper-based test or 250 for the computer-based test, and 100 for the Internet-based test.

In order to apply to the LL.M. program you must have a law degree from a U.S. or foreign law school. If you already have a foreign law degree you may apply for both. However, if you would like to be eligible to take the New York State Bar exam, the American Legal Studies LL.M. degree may be better suited for you. The J.D. program is designed to offer a comprehensive three-year course of study that will give you the opportunity to select one of several course concentrations. The American Legal Studies and the U.S. Business Law in a Global Economy LL.M. programs are designed for foreign-trained lawyers, and the Family Law program is for U.S. trained lawyers but is also open to foreign-trained lawyers. Admission to the J.D. program requires a qualifying score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Admission to the LL.M. program does not require an LSAT score.

Yes, provided that you receive the Dean's permission to have your LL.M. course work count towards the J.D. program.

You must complete a "Request for Evaluation of Foreign Academic Credentials," which can be found on the New York State Board of Law Examiners Web site (PDF). The Request and official transcripts must be filed as provided on the Web site in order to determine your eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar exam. We recommend you obtain this evaluation before you enroll in any LL.M. program.