Traditional LLM degree

Graduate students are admitted for at least two semesters in residence, leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LLM). To qualify for the LLM degree, students must:

• Complete at least 24 hours of course credit;
• Complete one academic year in residence in the Law School;
• Complete B504 Introduction to American Law for 2 credits and B530 Legal Discourse and Writing for 2 credits;
• Carry no fewer than 8 hours of course credit per semester;
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; and
• Complete the degree requirements in no more than three consecutive semesters.

Applicants who will have received a J.D. degree from an American law school prior to matriculation in the LLM program at Indiana University may not earn an LLM degree without thesis and may be subject to alternative requirements.

LLM with Thesis degree

LLM students who want experience in academic legal writing and plan to continue on to an SJD or PhD program may be interested in the LLM with Thesis degree. LLM with Thesis students must complete the following requirements:

• Complete at least 24 total hours of course credit;
• Complete 6 hours of B704 Thesis Research credits for the thesis;
• Complete one academic year in residence in the Law School
• Complete B504 Introduction to American Law for 2 credits, B530 Legal Discourse and Writing for 2 credits, and B560 Academic Legal Writing for 1 credit;
• Carry no fewer than 8 hours of course credit per semester, except in the last semester;
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; and
• Complete the degree requirements in no more than four consecutive semesters.

Other LLM Options

Summer programs for graduate students

LLM applicants who need to improve their English and legal English skills prior to starting a graduate program may be admitted to our Summer Start Program, which begins in June each year.

LLM to JD credit transfer option

The Law School has a process that enables our LLM students to apply to transfer to the JD program. Students may nominate themselves to take part in the selection process, or faculty members may also nominate students with outstanding performance in their classes. Students who apply to the JD degree program may be able to count some LLM credits toward the JD degree, which will enable them to enter the JD program with advanced standing.

Spring Start LLM admission

In addition to the traditional two-semester LLM program starting in the fall, students may elect to start the program in the spring semester (January). Spring start LLM students may complete their degrees in two semesters, or they can choose to complete the degree requirements at a slower pace, taking three semesters. The spring start LLM admission may be required for students taking classes in the Intensive English Program in the fall semester.