University of Connecticut School of Law (UConn Law)

UConn School of Law offers an exceptional value in legal education, founded in an outstanding faculty, small classes and a flexible approach that allows students to customize their studies and their careers. The extremely advantageous student-faculty ratio creates a welcoming and collaborative learning environment giving students access to leading scholars who drive the evolution of legal thought throughout the nation and the world.

Students at UConn Law are trained in practical skills through the pioneering clinical programs and centers gaining hands-on experience. Virtually all classes are taken with JD students in an atmosphere that fosters a spirit of collaboration and cooperation. Students explore legal theory alongside practical training creating a strong foundation for success in practice.

The reasonable size of the LLM programs ensures personalized attention to each student and easy access to a nationally recognized faculty in a supportive and intellectually challenging environment. It also facilitates the integration in the greater law school community.

UConn Law prepares LLM graduates to work in a variety of settings; private law firms, regulatory agencies, insurance companies, investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, health care organizations, corporate law departments and academic and nonprofit settings. Because of these opportunities, students from from all corners of the United States to develop their legal skills and become leaders in the law.

By design, our LLM programs are flexible by design to fit the needs of working professionals and full time students.  UConn Law offers one of the best selections of evening coursework to accommodate full, part-time and distance learning students enrolled in the Insurance Law LLM program.  Additionally, students may begin an LLM program in the fall or spring semester.

LL.M. students who obtain good grades may also apply to the JD program without having to take the LSAT, and if accepted, can transfer most of their LLM credits to their JD program.

We invite you to visit our website, contact us with any questions, and come to our campus if you can. We promise you quick responses to your questions and a warm welcome upon your arrival.  To find out more about our individual program offerings, please continue reading below.

LLM Program in US Legal Studies
The LLM in US Legal Studies program at UConn School of Law is open to international students from around the world. The School of Law provides a broad curriculum in American law, the United States legal system, international law, and comparative law. Through close consultation with faculty, LLM students design a course of study which suits each student's professional interests. As part of the LLM degree, students may also obtain an optional certificate of specialization in the following areas:

1.  International Human Rights
2.  Tax Law
3.  Financial Services Regulation
4.  Energy and Environmental Regulation
5. Corporate and Regulatory Compliance
6.  U.S. Law: Foundations of U.S. Law, U.S. Civil and Criminal Justice, U.S. Business Law and Regulation; U.S. Law of Property Transfer

LLM in US Legal Studies Brochure (PDF)

 

LLM in Human Rights and Social Justice
Building on its faculty expertise in human rights and social justice, UConn School of Law has launched an LLM that integrates the international and domestic dimensions of social justice lawyering into a cohesive whole. The LLM in Human Rights and Social Justice offers students with a prior law degree the opportunity to engage in an in-depth study of the international human rights and US civil rights movements. Tapping into a growing trend in the business, nonprofit, and public policy worlds to integrate international and domestic human rights, the program will provide students with a rigorous grounding in the norms and methods of the human rights and civil rights movements as well as the specialized credentials and skills needed to gain entry to these fields.

Students will have the opportunity to study with faculty not only at the School of Law but also at the Human Rights Institute on the main campus, a leading innovator in interdisciplinary human rights research and teaching. The LLM in Human Rights and Social Justice will prepare graduates for the global business environment, for social policy work, and to meet the pressing need for access to justice for the poor and middle class in America and worldwide.

LLM in Energy and Environmental Law
UConn Law's LLM in Energy and Environmental Law offers students an exciting way to engage with the combined world of energy law and environmental law. Our program provides excellent course offerings from Environmental Law, Energy Law, Land Use Law, International Environmental Law, and others to also include such offerings as Climate Law, Renewable Energy Law, Zoning Practicum, Historic Preservation Law, and many more. Beyond the classroom, our LLM students can become active with real-world policy. Our students have the opportunity to apply to work on environmental policy in Connecticut State government or to work in public utility companies or law firms. Through our semester-in-DC program, students can also look to fill our offerings through federal agencies, such as the EPA or Department of Energy. LLM students can also work with our CEEL faculty toward developing publishable articles. Excellent coursework, real-world engagement, and scholarly development in a field that combines both energy and environmental policy are what distinguish this offering.

LLM Program in Insurance Law
Our LLM in Insurance Law enjoys the distinction of being the oldest and most sophisticated insurance law program in the country. We offer our students the deepest curriculum in insurance and financial services law of any law school in the United States, taught by recognized experts in the field. We also provide opportunities for field placements at major insurance companies, including Aetna, Chubb, The Hartford and Mass Mutual, as well as area law firms and the Connecticut Department of Insurance.

UConn Law prepares LLM graduates to work in a variety of settings: private law firms, regulatory agencies, insurance companies, investment banks, hedge funds, commercial banks, health care organizations, corporate law departments, and academic and nonprofit institutions. Our students come from all corners of the United States and the world, including Azerbaijan, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Eritrea, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia and they have gone on to become leading lawyers all over the world as regulators, professors, law firm partners, and in-house counsel at insurance companies and major financial services firms.
 

The University of Connecticut is one of the top public research universities in the United States, with more than 30,000 students pursuing answers to critical questions in labs, lecture halls, and the community. Knowledge exploration throughout the University's network of campuses is united by a culture of innovation. An unprecedented commitment from the state of Connecticut ensures UConn attracts internationally renowned faculty and the world's brightest students. As a vibrant, progressive leader, UConn fosters a diverse and dynamic culture that meets the challenges of a changing global society.

Students describe the Thomas E. Meskill Law Library at UConn Law as the heart of the campus where all the action happens.

Founded in 1921, UConn School of Law is one of the leading public law schools in the country. It offers a professional education of the highest quality that prepares its graduates for a lifetime of fulfilling service in any career they choose, including the bar, government, business, and education. The school's programs emphasize intellectual discipline and the development of the professional analytic skills required to respond effectively to the challenge of continuing change in the law and in the society it serves.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, UConn Law has one of the most beautiful campuses of any law school in the United States. Recently, the Law Library was named among the 50 Most Amazing University Libraries in the World by Best Masters Programs. Two miles from the center of Hartford, the Law School is located in a neighborhood of large Victorian homes, where many students, staff, and faculty live.

The admissions committee considers the applicant's academic performance, intellectual curiosity and professional experience.

Applicants must hold or expect to hold a degree from a recognized law faculty outside of the United States before matriculating. Three exceptions exist for students in integrated bachelors and masters programs, for students pursing a graduate degree in law and for students in an extended bachelor program.

International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency or demonstrate qualification for an exemption.

Applicants are encouraged to apply through LSAC.

All applications should be received by June 15 for August enrollment, or November 15th for January enrollment. Applications received before these dates will be given priority consideration. Admission decisions will generally be made within a month of application receipt.

Consistent with the policy of most professional schools in the United States, the School of Law generally expects students to make their own financial arrangements to cover the cost of their educational and living expenses while attending UConn School of Law. As a government supported institution, the School of Law provides a superb legal education with fees significantly less than those charged by most other major law schools in the country. Scholarships are available to a limited number of students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise.

Fees per credit for US Legal, Energy and Environmental and Human Rights and Social Justice are $1190 per credit for 2017-2018.

Fees per credit for the Insurance Law LLM program are $1326 per credit for 2017-2018.

UConn Law provides both advanced standing for qualified credits and merit based scholarships in the application process.  All matriculated students are considered for these awards which may cover a portion of the credit fees required to complete the program.

U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students interested in learning more about federal student aid opportunities may contact the UConn Law Student Finance Office.

Riverfront view in Hartford, Connecticut

The Law School is located in Hartford, Connecticut in the historic New England region, just two hours from both New York and Boston. Because Hartford is the capital of the insurance industry in the United States, the Law School's location provides access to some of the largest financial services firms in the world. Cultural and recreational activities also abound, whether in greater Hartford or further afield, including numerous museums and performing art centers. The extraordinary beauty and history of New England will be on your doorstep, including small villages, pristine beaches, and major mountain ranges, all of which are easily accessible from Hartford. The Law School itself is located in the residential west end of Hartford, on a lovely gothic-style campus that is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Sledding at Elizabeth Park during a snow storm

At UConn Law students are part of a diverse environment, on and off the campus.  The small interactive classes create a full integration of all students, international and American citizens.  This results in a broader experience for students combining the high quality of the academics with a full multi-cultural immersion experience.  Many of our students' confirm the welcoming community creates a unique and special experience. 

Off campus, there are even more multi-cultural opportunities.  Cultural and recreational activities can be found all year long.  The fall offers a colorful landscape and unique opportunities like pumpkin carving at Halloween.  The winter is famous for the snow and opportunities to ski, snow show and ice skate.  In the springtime, students can unwind at a concert in the park, various walking trails or explore the Connecticut shore. When students want to venture further afield, Hartford is situated between Boston and New York, and in these larger cities students enjoy Broadway shows, museums, art galleries and much more.