Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Law

The LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers is a one-year, on-campus degree program for those who obtained a law degree from a university or law school outside of the United States. The main feature of the program is its attention to the individual needs of the student. The curriculum allows each LL.M. student to design, in cooperation with a faculty adviser, a course of study meeting the student’s personal needs and goals. The program requires successful completion of 24 credit hours. LL.M. students are required to complete a 3 credit hour course in legal research and writing and a foundation course in a common law subject such as contracts, torts or property. Additionally, LL.M. students take at least 2 credit hours for which they produce a written work, such as a seminar paper or a directed research paper. LL.M. students may elect to write an LL.M. thesis for 6 credit hours. No more than 8 of the 24 credit hours may consist of an LL.M. thesis, seminars, or research papers. The student may choose from the full range of courses and seminars offered in the law school curriculum, as well as up to three (3) credit hours of courses from Saint Louis University’s Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, College for Public Health and Social Justice, or 12 other graduate programs.

Students seeking the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers have the opportunity to choose an area of focus to concentrate their legal studies on while at SLU LAW. While the tracks are not mandatory, they are designed specifically for the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers degree program and are advised in cooperation with the program director. 

Tracks offered include:

1. Commercial & Business Track

2. Health Law Track

3. Intellectual Property Track

4. Labor & Employment Track

5. Taxation Law Track

LL.M. in Health Law – An LL.M. in Health Law is an advanced degree designed to serve two types of lawyers: those seeking an in-depth introduction to the practice of health law and those who are currently practicing and wish to increase their exposure to new developments in health law. Nationally recognized for its excellence, our Center for Health Law Studies hosts the the premier health law program in the country. This highly selective program is primarily for those who have substantial knowledge of the U.S. legal system. The program requires successful completion of 24 credit hours (up to six credits of directed research, up to six credits in academic disciplines outside the law school), and a master’s thesis of publishable quality. Health Law LL.M. students are also offered externship opportunities including the Health Law Semester in Washington, D.C. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Two-Year J.D. Program for Foreign Lawyers enables highly qualified candidates who have received their first degree in law outside the United States to earn their J.D. degree in four semesters by granting them advanced standing based on their prior law studies. This degree is designed for foreign lawyers who would like to enhance their professional training by earning the same degree held by U.S. lawyers, but in a shorter amount of time. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be granted advanced standing and may be permitted to transfer up to 30 hours of academic credit earned at their first law degree-granting university or law school. In order to earn the Two-Year J.D. degree, students must complete at least 61 credit hours while in residence at SLU LAW. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For any of its programs, SLU LAW may consider academic merit, need, and/or career achievements when awarding tuition scholarships to incoming students.

The most important step to take at the beginning of the application process is to figure out which law degree program will best meet your needs. For this and for all other questions (e.g., visa, bar exam, life in St. Louis and the U.S., health insurance), contact the Assistant Director for International Students, Mariajose Ortiz, via email at mariajose.ortiz@slu.edu.

• SLU LAW’s Center for Health Law Studies was ranked no. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the 2023 rankings;
• SLU LAW placed second overall and won third Best Brief in the Midwest regional rounds held in Chicago for the 2023 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition;
• The Legal Clinics provide $ 4.6 million+ of free legal service to individuals in the community;
• SLU LAW has over 30 student organizations that work to enhance students' professional and personal development through academic, cultural and volunteer opportunities.

Founded in 1843, Saint Louis University School of Law is the oldest law school west of the Mississippi River. The School of Law’s rich history consists of strong connections to the community and a long tradition of public service. SLU LAW’s location in the heart of the City of St. Louis offers students unparalleled access to leading law firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The City of St. Louis Civil Courts Building and the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouses are mere steps away – giving students a unique opportunity to see the law in action.

Specialize for an Edge: Centers of Excellence – SLU LAW houses the Center for Health Law Studies, the Center for International and Comparative Law and the William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law. Through specialized courses, directed research projects and practical experience, students can explore and cultivate a specialized interest in the study of health, international and comparative law, employment law, and legal advocacy. While pursuing a J.D. degree, students can also earn a concentration from one of these Centers of Excellence or in Intellectual Property Law to add a specialized area of focus to their legal education.

Academic Resource Center (ARC) – The ARC provides resources and assistance to help students succeed from the first day of classes and continues when they are alumni working towards success on the bar exam. In addition to what students learn in law school classes and commercial Bar review courses, SLU LAW offers free workshops and programs throughout the year designed to help students assess and practice the skills necessary for passing the Bar.

The Vincent C. Immel Law Library is the primary research destination for the School of Law. The library boasts an impressive research collection of some 600,000 titles with significant holdings in federal and state law as well as strong foreign law and special collections.

The SLU LAW Legal Clinics offer upper division students invaluable practical experience while providing needed pro bono legal services to the community. With supervision and feedback from full-time faculty members with the time and expertise to engage in intensive and tailored supervision, students manage litigation, conduct transactional work, and engage in advocacy. Through their clinic experiences, students learn to face uncertainty, ambiguity, and the fluid nature of problem-solving. Moreover, students are invited to confront their own judgments and perceptions about clients, the justice system, and communities.

The Office of Career Services is staffed by knowledgeable attorneys who have all spent time in practice. The Career Services staff help students foster relationships with law firms and other employers as they look for a job and OPT opportunities. Year-round support is offered for networking, interview preparation and resume and cover letter writing.

The faculty and staff at Saint Louis University School of Law are leaders in scholarship, teaching, and service. Their research advances the study and practice of law, and their level of excellence has been acknowledged with numerous local, national, and international awards. Drawing from their legal expertise and experience, the faculty and staff work closely with students––guiding, challenging, and mentoring them through the complexities of the law and their professional goals. 

Students consistently comment on the quality of instruction and substantive knowledge gained in the classroom. As well as on how committed the faculty and staff are outside of the classroom in providing advice and support for their academic, professional, and personal development.

Our internationally minded Dean, William P. Johnson, was appointed to the deanship in January 2017. Dean Johnson’s scholarship is generally focused on domestic and transnational commercial law and international business law. His scholarship specifically aims to address challenging questions that result from different bodies of law being relevant for the same international commercial transaction. He has developed deep expertise on the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, or CISG, focusing on common misunderstanding of the CISG and the challenges that that misunderstanding can create. He has written extensively about the CISG, publishing his work in the United States, Turkey, and Brazil. Johnson also frequently speaks and occasionally writes about international legal education, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the legal profession and higher education.

LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyer Program

SLU LAW strives to form a diverse group of students that will be fully exposed to U.S. legal education, culture and the legal profession. To become a member of this carefully selected group of students an LL.M. applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a first degree from a university or law school outside of the United States that qualifies the applicant for bar admission in the home country.
• Have outstanding academic credentials and demonstrated excellence in professional activities.
• If the language of instruction in the applicant’s first law degree program was other than English, demonstrate a high level of spoken and written English proficiency by submitting and official TOEFL iBT report with a score of 85 or above (or a score of 577 or above on the TOEFL PBT) or an official IELTS report with a score of 6.5 or above.

Two-Year J.D. Program

All applicants to the Two-Year J.D. Program for Foreign Lawyers must meet these requirements:

• Hold a first degree in law from a university or law school outside of the United States that qualifies the applicant for bar admission in the home country.
• Have outstanding academic credentials and demonstrated excellence in professional career activities.
• Complete an application for admission to the J.D. program and submit all documentation required in the application.
• Submit an official LSAT score report within the past three years that demonstrates potential to succeed in the program.
• If the language of instruction in the applicant’s first law degree program was other than English, demonstrate a high level of spoken and written English proficiency by submitting and official TOEFL iBT report with a score of 100 or above (or a score of 600 or above on the TOEFL PBT) or an official IELTS report with a score of 7.5 or above.

• LL.M. Program for Foreign Lawyers applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, which means the admissions committee reviews each applicant’s file once it receives all application materials.

 • Applications for all of our programs for the 2018-2019 academic year should be submitted no later than April 1, 2018 to ensure that visa paperwork can be processed in time for admission in Fall 2018.

• Our institutional code is 6629.

• There is no application fee.

How to Apply to the LL.M. Program?

Complete an application (the Law School Admissions Council Credential Assembly Service is recommended but not required) for admission to the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers program. The Law School Admissions Council Credential Assembly Service is recommended but not required for applications. Applicants should submit the following documents:

• An official transcript from each post-secondary school attended, including English translations;
• Two letters of recommendation;
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score sent to SLU LAW (our institutional code is 6629);
• A written personal statement;
• A resume;
• Scholarship application (if applying for a scholarship).

How to apply to the Two-Year J.D. Program?

Complete an application for admission to the Two-Year J.D. Program for Foreign Lawyers and submit all supporting documentation required in such application. These include:

An official transcript from each post-secondary school attended, including English translations. SLU LAW requires the use of the LSAC Credential Assembly Service, including International Credential Evaluation;

• Two letters of recommendation; Official LSAT score sent to SLU LAW (our institutional code is 6629);
• Official TOEFL or IELTS score sent to SLU LAW (our institutional code is 6629);
• A written personal statement; and
• Current resume

If you have a question regarding the admission process, contact the Assistant Director for International Students, Mariajose Ortiz, via email at mariajose.ortiz@slu.edu.

Tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year is $43,600. Fees are approximately $594, and the cost of books is projected as $1,000. Living expenses are estimated to be at least $11,740. The amounts tend to increase moderately from year to year. Admitted students are responsible for arranging funding of their education prior to enrolling at SLU LAW. Some sources of funding for international students are listed here. Students should also explore private and public sources in their home countries

Saint Louis University School of Law (SLU LAW) is pleased to announce the LL.M. in American Law for Foreign Lawyers scholarships for law students and legal professionals from traditionally disadvantaged and marginalized groups (such as LGBTI, persons with disabilities, refugees, asylees in the U.S., indigenous people and national and religious minorities).

SLU LAW will award one full-tuition scholarship and three 30% reduced tuition scholarships to extraordinary LL.M. applicants who meet the SLU LAW admission requirements and who successfully explain, in a 500-word essay, how their identity affected their lives and future plans. Students who wish to be considered for this scholarship should submit their application by May 1 for an August start and by November 1 for a January start of the LL.M. program.

SLU LAW may award partial- to full-tuition scholarships to incoming students based on academic credentials, career achievements and need.

LL.M. applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships should submit the LL.M. scholarships application form.

Two-Year J.D. applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships should check the financial aid box on the application for J.D. admission.

St. Louis

Founded by the French in 1764, St. Louis is one of the largest and most historically significant cities in the Midwest. St. Louis is a hub for big business, for both Fortune 500 and privately held companies, including Boeing, Centene, Emerson, Enterprise and Monsanto.

Attractions

With more than 100 parks in the city, St. Louis offers an active city lifestyle. From biking and running, to walking and skateboarding, you will find there is no shortage of activities within the city. One of St. Louis’ largest attractions is Forest Park. Bigger than New York City’s Central Park, Forest Park is home to the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri History Museum and Saint Louis Science Center (all of which have free admission).

For something a bit more funky, check out the 10-story slide, indoor cave system and rooftop Ferris Wheel at the nearby City Museum. Other famous St. Louis attractions include the Missouri Botanical Garden, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, world-class St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, award-winning wineries outside of the city and of course, the famous Gateway Arch.

Sports

Known as one of America’s best sports cities, St. Louis is home to two professional teams: the Cardinals (baseball) and the Blues (hockey), whose fans fill the vibrant downtown area on game days. SLU has 16 Division I NCAA sports teams, including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer. SLU LAW students have free admittance into all SLU sporting events.

Food

Dozens of unique shops and restaurants contribute to St. Louis’ distinctive charm and multicultural flair. With 79 distinct neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore new and exciting cultures. If you do not already have a firm position on the appeal of Provel cheese, toasted ravioli and the best barbecues in the United States, it’s time to develop one. Start your research on The Hill, a mecca of Italian-American dining, or SugarFire Smokehouse, which is within walking distance from campus.

Entertainment

One of the city’s best concert venues just happens to be on the main Saint Louis University campus. SLU’s Chaifetz Arena has recently hosted Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Arcade Fire. At SLU LAW, you’re also just minutes away from Grand Center, the city’s thriving arts and entertainment district, with live theater and concert halls. For nightlife, stroll down to the Loop in University City, which is considered one of the “10 Greatest Streets in America.”

Career Opportunities

St. Louis is a major business and commercial center. It is home to 17 Fortune 1000 companies, nine of which are Fortune 500 companies. In addition, it’s a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship and has been ranked as the No. 1 start-up city in America. St. Louis is also home to several large, privately held firms with a national presence. It has a diversified economy with particular strengths in health science and services, financial and information services, bioscience and multimodal logistics and manufacturing.

Weather

Autumns in St. Louis are mild with maximum average temperature between September and December at 14C and minimum temperature 4C. Winters tend to be moderate, with an average maximum temperature between January and March at 7C and the average minimum temperature at 3C. Spring is pleasant, with average maximum temperature between April and June 24C and minimum temperature 13C.

Public Transportation

SLU LAW is located near several MetroLink stations. MetroLink is the light rail transit system in the Greater St. Louis area of Missouri and the Metro East area of Illinois. MetroLink can take students to the airport as well as sports stadiums and shopping centers throughout St. Louis.

One of the objectives of SLU LAW is to help students get the most out of the law school experience. In the midst of a thriving urban community, student organizations offer opportunities to be involved in various volunteer projects.

We have numerous student organizations to choose from, so there’s something for everyone.