Southwestern Law School

The Law School

Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California, has long been known for its commitment to innovative legal education in a dynamic, diverse and congenial atmosphere. Our campus offers state-of-the-art technology in a beautiful setting with far reaching ties to the legal, business, entertainment and civic sectors. Founded in 1911, Southwestern is fully approved by the American Bar Association and is a member of the American Association of Law Schools.

The Program

Southwestern offers two LL.M. programs - one featuring general, individualized studies and the other providing a concentration in entertainment and media law.

LLM in General Studies
The General Studies program allows LL.M. students to choose their own focus of study in line with their personal professional goals. The LL.M. degree requires 24 credit hours of post-J.D. coursework in an area of concentration based on the individual student’s selection of courses, and may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Each LL.M. student works closely with a faculty advisor to develop a detailed course of study tailored to his or her own interests from a comprehensive selection of over 150 electives and core courses. A special course titled “Introduction to American Law, Legal Process and Institutions” will be incorporated into the curriculum of international students.

LLM in Entertainment and Media Law
Prospective LL.M. students who are particularly interested in entertainment, media and intellectual property law may want to consider applying to Southwestern’s specialized LL.M. program in Entertainment and Media Law, the first program of its kind established at an American law school. Located at the center of "The Entertainment Capital of the World" and the "Digital Coast," Southwestern has an outstanding entertainment- and media-oriented faculty and offers more than 40 seminars and courses in this area. The law school has longstanding connections with the entertainment and media industries, and numerous alumni in influential positions at major studios and entertainment law firms. This program also requires 24 credit hours of post-J.D. coursework and may be completed on either a full-time or part-time schedule.

The Faculty

Southwestern’s faculty seeks both to enhance the quality of the classroom experience and to provide attention to students as individuals. The full-time faculty includes internationally recognized experts in antitrust, civil rights, criminal justice, entertainment and media, environmental, human rights, intellectual property, international, trial and appellate advocacy, and urban development, among other areas of the law. The adjunct faculty of distinguished judges and attorneys are known for their expertise in specialized practices and enjoy sharing their real-world knowledge with students.

Entry Requirements

Southwestern’s LL.M. programs are highly selective. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent degree is required. A candidate applying from the United States or Canada must have completed the J.D. degree at a law school that is both ABA-approved and a member of the Association of American Law Schools. A law degree earned outside the United States or Canada must be from a university accredited in the country in which it is located, or the candidate must be admitted to practice before the highest court in that country.

Admission is determined by the applicant's potential for distinguished performance in and contribution to the program. The applicant's academic record, especially in law school, is of particular importance. Additional factors taken into consideration by the Admissions Committee include the applicant's professional experience and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and quality of the applicant's personal statement. More specific information on requirements is available online for the LL.M. in General Studies at www.swlaw.edu/studentservices/llmadmin/llm_general…, and for the LL.M. in Entertainment and Media Law at www.swlaw.edu/studentservices/llmadmin/llm_entmedi….

Application Procedure

An admissions application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcripts and other documents are required as part of the LL.M. application process. The complete procedure and online forms are available at www.swlaw.edu/applyonline.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for 2008-2009 is $1169 per credit hour (unit).

Admitted students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal and private educational loans. Some private educational lenders offer loans to international students who have a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen. International students are encouraged to explore financial aid options from sources in their home countries. More detailed information is available in the Financial Aid section of Southwestern’s website at www.swlaw.edu/studentservices/finaid.

Location

Los Angeles is home to an active and diverse population, a flourishing economy and some of the most beautiful landscape on earth. The metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people who come from 140 different countries and speak 224 languages or dialects. Southwestern is centrally located in the Wilshire Center district of Los Angeles, adjacent to the thriving Koreatown, about two miles west of downtown, and within 30 minutes of the Pacific Ocean. The campus fronts on Wilshire Boulevard, the city’s main thoroughfare. The Wilshire/Vermont MetroRail station and the local bus line are just a block away, providing convenient access to the downtown district, Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. Southwestern students choose to live in a variety of neighborhoods - urban settings close to campus or the more suburban valley and beach communities that are within a half-hour commute from the law school.

Student Life

Southwestern provides the programs, connections and environment to ensure success as a law student and enjoy life at the law school. LL.M. students participate in many of the cocurricular activities that keep the campus buzzing and students connected to the community. More than 35 student organizations, Career Services, Diversity Affairs, and other resources offer academic and career guidance, social and professional networks and community involvement. Through these programs and services, Southwestern students deal with contemporary legal issues, gain exposure to members of the bench and bar, and expand their future opportunities as lawyers and leaders.