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Admissions Information & Application Materials

LL.M. Admissions Information

  • Applicants must have completed a law degree at a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association, or at a foreign law school with equivalent standards.
  • Submit a completed application form along with supporting materials before the application deadline.
  • Admission is based on high achievement in law school (based on a transcript and resume), any professional experiences since law school, writing skills, and demonstrated interest in U.S. law and government.
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If you have received an offer of admission from another school before receiving a decision from the Program, please contact Hilary Lappin, Assistant Director of Admissions and Special Projects, and the Program will expedite review of your application.

LL.M. Application Materials

Internationally Trained Applicants

Scholarship Applications

Application Deadlines

Fall Admission

  • International Students - May 1
  • U.S. Trained Students - June 1
  • Tuition Remission & Scholarship - June 1

Spring Admission

  • International Students - October 1
  • U.S. Trained Students - November 1
  • Tuition Remission & Scholarship - November 1

Application Fee

Each application for admission must be accompanied by a $55 application fee which can be paid online through the online application form. The application fee is non refundable. 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 drawn on a bank that has a branch in the United States. We also accept American Express, Thomas Cook, and Barclay's traveler's checks. Please do not send cash.

Statement of Purpose

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

  • Why do you wish to pursue the LL.M. in Law & Government?
  • How do you think the LL.M. will help you achieve your short-term and long-term professional and personal goals?
  • What employment and other experiences do you believe are particularly relevant to your application?
  • Please discuss a current issue in public law in which you are interested.

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 your courses, examinations, and marks, and an official certification of the law degree received from a U.S. law school or from a recognized international institution.

"Official" means a copy of your 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 Program on Law and Government.

WCL does accept transcripts and certified copies of academic documents from LSAC and WES. Although not required, if you choose to use these services, please put your LSAC number on your LL.M. application and we will access your documents online. The applicant should contact WES directly to have them send us your documents. Find more information about LSAC and WES.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation from law professors, employers or other persons familiar with their academic and professional qualifications. Personal references will not be accepted. Candidates are requested to use the recommendation forms provided. The applicant should familiarize their references with our 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 may either be sent in sealed and signed envelopes along with the application, or sent directly to the Program on Law and Government.

Proof of Competency in English

Applicants whose first language is not English must take one of three tests for English competency, either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson exam. It is not necessary to take all three. Applications will not be considered complete until we receive exam scores. This requirement is waived only for applicants who have completed a higher degree program from an accredited U.S. institution.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (250 computer based test, 100 internet based test) is necessary to be exempted from the Summer Legal English Institute. Students with a score below 100 but above 93 are still encouraged to apply to the program. The institution code for the Law & Government LL.M. application is 8188 and the department code is 03. Please contact the Program directly with any specific questions regarding English Language Competency.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum IELTS score of 7 is necessary to be exempted from the Summer Legal English Institute. Students with a score below 7 but above 6 are still encouraged to apply to the program. Please contact the Program directly with any specific questions regarding English Language Competency.
  • Pearson Test of English – Academic (PearsonPTE). A minimum score of 68 is necessary to be exempted from the Summer Legal English Institute. Students with a score below 68 but above 60 are still encouraged to apply to the program. The institution code for the Law & Government LL.M. application is X1Q-XN-76.

If you are unsure whether you must take an English competency exam, please call 202-274-4268 or email the Program directly.

Visas for International Applicants

Non-U.S. citizens must submit the Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) and appropriate financial documentation with their application to receive an I-20 form upon admission. The I-20 allows the student to apply for the F-1 (student) visa. Failure to return the CFIS with the application will result in a delay in the issuance of the I-20. Students studying under other non-immigrant visa categories will be contacted if issues arise with their visa status. All students must be in the United States and prepared to begin the program by Orientation, which is held several days before classes begin. This is a non-waivable requirement, so plan accordingly.

Most international students attend WCL on an F-1 visa. A new visa can be acquired only at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Visa application procedures vary by location, so contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your visa.

Required documents for your visa application:

  • Signed and valid I-20
  • Valid passport
  • Financial documents for at least one full academic year, dated within three months
  • Official admission letter
  • Application and application fee (provided at the U.S. embassy or consulate)
  • Supporting documents to provide evidence of intent to return to your home country, such as family ties, property, or a job in your country

Please contact the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for more information.

Newly-Admitted Students

Tuition Deposit:
Newly-admitted students must submit a tuition deposit of $350 within five weeks after notification of acceptance. If the deposit is not made within this time, the applicant's admission to the program will be rescinded automatically. Deposits are credited against tuition charges for the entering semester. Complete deposit instructions are included with the letter of admission. Tuition deposits are non-refundable.

New Student Orientation:
All incoming students must attend the Orientation held the week before classes each semester. Fall semester classes usually begin the third week of August. Spring semester classes usually begin the second week of January. Exact dates are posted on the Academic Calendar on the WCL website.

Health Insurance:
All full-time degree, resident, and international students on a J-1 or F-1 visa are automatically enrolled in the university's accident and sickness plan, and billed through student accounts. This plan may be waived only by showing proof of adequate alternate insurance. Complete student health insurance information will be provided before Orientation.

Vaccinations:
All students under 26 years of age must be immunized against seven common diseases. Upon admission, these students must submit an immunization form which identifies proof of vaccination for the following: diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, polio, and tetanus. The immunization form will be included in your pre-arrival packet.