LL.M. Programs

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Deadlines & Application Instructions

Due to visa requirements, the LL.M. Programs have an earlier application deadline for all international applicants who need to request a visa. 

Fall Admission Deadlines
Student Type Date
International students May 1
U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Students June 1*
Online/Hybrid LL.M. June 1
Deadlines for Spring Admission
Student Type Date
International Students November 1
U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Students November 30*
Online/Hybrid LL.M. November 30

*Under certain circumstances, the program can extend the application deadline for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions directly to see if you qualify for this exception. Due to visa processing times, any applicant requiring a visa must adhere to the posted deadlines.

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Official Copies of Academic Records

Applicants must submit official transcripts or notarized full-sized copies of all law, graduate, and undergraduate schools attended, including a record of all courses, examinations, and marks.

"Official" means a copy of the original document certified by an officer of your school or by a notary public. Faxed copies and photocopies of academic records will not be accepted. Transcripts must be written in the native language of the school. If this language is not English, the documents must be accompanied by a certified translation. Institutions must send the required documents directly to the Office of Enrollment (see "Document Mailing Instructions" section below for additional details).

International applicants applying online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) have the option of submitting transcripts through LSAC's Document Assembly Service. This service is included in LSAC's $75 registration fee for using the online services. Additionally, international applicants using the LSAC system can choose (not required) to register for LSAC's International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service for an additional fee of $125. By using this system, LSAC will authenticate and evaluate international academic records.

Although not required, the LL.M. Programs also accept transcripts and certified copies of academic documents from EducationUSA and WES. The applicant should contact WES directly to arrange submission. Find more information about EducationUSA and WES online.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation from law professors, employers, or others familiar with the applicant's academic and professional qualifications. Personal references will not be accepted. The applicant should familiarize references with the LL.M. Program and have each reference specifically address the applicant's aptitude for undertaking graduate legal study. The applicant should also explain that the admissions committee gives considerable weight to the letters. The recommendation letters must either be sent in sealed and signed envelopes along with the application or sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. We will not accept unsealed letters or letters forwarded to our office by the applicant.

Personal Statement

Applicants must submit a 1-2 page single spaced essay that addresses the following:

  • Why you wish to pursue an LL.M. at American University Washington College of Law.

  • How you think the LL.M. will help you achieve your short-term and long-term professional and personal goals.

  • What employment and other experiences you believe are particularly relevant to your application.

$55.00 Application Fee

Each application for admission must be accompanied by a $55 non-refundable application fee which can be paid online through the online application form. If necessary, a check or U.S. money order payable to "Washington College of Law" may be sent to the program by mail. All checks must be written on a check from a bank that has a branch in the United States. American Express, Thomas Cook, and Barclay's traveler's checks are also acceptable forms of payment. Cash cannot be accepted.

Note that LSAC may charge additional fees separate from the Washington College of Law $55 application fee.

Official Proof of Competency in English

Regardless of citizenship, applicants whose first language is not English must take a TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Kansas exam and meet the minimum scores indicated below.  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic we are temporarily accepting the Duolingo English Test.

Exceptions to this policy will be granted to applicants who:

A. Hold a first degree (LLB, BA, MA, and/or PhD) from an institution where English is the language of instruction and an official language of the country in which the university is located is English, (see complete list of countries eligible for exception below)
or
B. Hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an institution that is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency (see complete list of acceptable accrediting agencies below).

English language test scores may not be more than two years old. Please visit the sites below to arrange for a test date or to request scores to be sent to American University.

English Language Minimum Scores

To be considered for admission, the minimum required scores are as follows:

  • TOEFL                       84 ibt or 563 paper based

  • IELTS                         6.5

  • PTE Academic            56

  • Duolingo                    110 or higher

Please note: The scores above are the minimum scores for admissions consideration. Students who receive a TOEFL score of 84-92, IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo score of 110-114 may be admitted conditionally and required to take additional legal English courses. These courses will incur additional costs.

Additionally, meeting the minimum score requirement does not guarantee admission to the program. If you do not meet the minimum requirement, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions regarding English Language Programs available through American University.

I. LLM Pathway Program
 

Applicants who are otherwise admissible but whose English proficiency scores do not meet our minimum, may be offered enrollment in the LLM Pathway Program jointly offered by the Washington College of Law and the English Language and Training Academy (ELTA) at American University. To be eligible for the LLM Pathway Program, applicants must have a TOEFL score between 76 and 83, or IELTS score of 6.0.  All applicants within these score ranges will be considered for the Pathway Program.

Students in the LLM Pathway Program will spend one semester at ELTA improving their English proficiency skills through substantive coursework. Successful students will receive grades of "B" or better in order to begin courses at the Washington College of Law.

II. List of Countries Eligible for Exception

 
  1. Anguilla
  2. Antigua & Barbuda
  3. Australia
  4. Bahamas
  5. Barbados
  6. Belize
  7. Bermuda
  8. Botswana
  9. British Virgin Islands
  10. Cameroon*
  11. Canada*
  12. Cayman Islands
  13. Dominica
  14. Gambia
  15. Ghana
  16. Grenada
  17. Guyana
  18. India
  19. Ireland
  20. Jamaica
  21. Kenya
  22. Kiribati
  23. Lesotho
  24. Liberia
  25. Micronesia
  26. Montserrat
  27. Namibia
  28. New Zealand
  29. Nigeria
  30. Pakistan
  31. Philippines
  32. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  33. Saint Lucia
  34. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  35. Seychelles
  36. Sierra Leone
  37. Singapore
  38. South Africa
  39. Swaziland
  40. Tanzania
  41. Trinidad and Tobago
  42. Turks and Caicos Islands
  43. Uganda
  44. United Kingdom
  45. Zambia
  46. Zimbabwe

* Applies to applicants whose post-secondary degree is from a university in which English is the language of instruction.

III. List of Acceptable Accrediting Agencies

  1. Middle States Commission on Higher Education

  2. Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools

  3. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education

  4. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions

  5. New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, Office of the Professions (Public Post secondary Vocational Education, Practical Nursing)

  6. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees

  7. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

  8. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

  9. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education

  10. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

  11. Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education

  12. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public Post secondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs

  13. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

  14. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

  15. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools

  16. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission

Document Mailing Instructions

To ensure that your application is processed in a timely manner, send your application materials to the appropriate address below. Please make sure that your documents are sent to the correct address, as determined by the application method that you used.

Applications submitted using the American University application portal:

If your university supports electronic delivery of official transcripts, please send them to this address: graduateadmissionsdocuments@american.edu
Fax: +1 202 885 3991

US MAIL (USPS)
WCL Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081

Courier Address/Overnight:(FEDEX-UPS-DHL, etc)
WCL Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Suite 218
Washington, DC 20016-8001
USA

Applications submitted through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC):

Law School Admission Council
LLM Credential Assembly Service
662 Penn Street
Dept. 8511
Newtown PA 18940-8511
USA