University of Oregon School of Law

Oregon Law offers four concentrations of study under the general LL.M. program. The concentrations are:

• Environmental and Natural Resources Law – This program focuses on public interest environmental law and innovations in environmental legal education. Oregon Law pioneered the county's earliest academic curriculum in public interest environmental law. Our experienced faculty are some of the nation's leading scholars in the field of environmental law who teach the regulatory mechanisms of environmental law, expose students to emerging problem-solving tools in cutting-edge courses, and provide practical training in skills-based courses. Learn more.

• Conflict and Dispute Resolution Law – This program is designed to provide an understanding of principles and practices of conflict and dispute resolution through the study of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, settlement and facilitation and by exploring dispute resolution strategies in litigation. Students have the opportunity to learn from leading scholars and researchers in the conflict and dispute resolution field. Learn more.

• Business Law – This program is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of core concepts and practices of U.S. business law and to provide an opportunity to study advanced complex transactional, tax and regulatory matters. Students may select elective courses from a wide array of business offerings including corporate and finance law, green business, intellectual property and tax law. Students benefit from the breadth and depth of the faculty's business law knowledge and scholarship. Learn more.

• American Law – This program is designed primarily for attorneys and individuals who have completed their first degree in law from a non-U.S. institution of higher education and desire to develop or further their understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. law for their professional endeavors or multi-jurisdictional practice. Oregon Law faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars with a rich array of professional expertise. Learn more.

Start Dates—Oregon Law LL.M. Program

Students enrolled in the Oregon Law LL.M. program have the option of beginning their studies in August or January. Full-time students complete the degree requirements during two consecutive semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall), although a few students are allowed to take longer.

The LL.M. program requires two semesters of study and 24 semester credits. 

The University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon, an environmentally-friendly city with a thriving arts scene, ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, and an emphasis on local food. Eugene is located in the Willamette Valley region, and it is a one-hour drive from both the Oregon Coast and the Cascade Mountains. It's also a two-hour drive from Portland, Oregon's largest city. Learn more about living in Eugene here.

The University of Oregon prides itself as one of the elite public "research universities" in the United States, and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Its student body is comprised of about 26,300 students.
 

Students at an Oregon Law networking event.

University of Oregon law professors are nationally and internationally recognized scholars and innovators, and are leading experts in their fields. The Oregon Law faculty’s vast experiences, combined with their passion for teaching, create an enriching educational environment for Oregon LL.M. students.

Oregon Law students and alumni are initiators, innovators, leaders, and scholars in their respective fields. Many Oregon Law students and alumni have created, and are sustaining, important organizations and are engaged in important and innovative work throughout the world in the environmental law, business law, and conflict and dispute resolution fields.

Nationally Ranked Programs

Oregon Law is ranked as the #2 law school in the Pacific Northwest by US News and World Report and is home to several top-ranked programs, including Legal Research and Writing (#3), Environmental Law (#12), and Dispute Resolution (#6).

Law School Enrollment

The University of Oregon School of Law has a law student population of approximately 400 law students. Many students at Oregon Law have an interest in environmental law. The extraordinary concentration of environmentally concerned students provides a unique atmosphere for the LL.M. students who come each year from across the United States and around the world to join this dedicated community.

Many Oregon Law students have an interest in business law, green business initiatives, intellectual property, appropriate dispute resolution, and sports and entertainment law. There are a variety of courses, student organizations, and campus and community events that enhance the educational experiences of Oregon Law students.

The University of Oregon law professors are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, innovators and leading experts in their fields. The faculty's vast experiences, combined with their passion for teaching, creates an enriching educational environment for LL.M. students.

In addition to our core faculty, the law school welcomes distinguished visitors and lecturers from all over the country and the world. Practicing attorneys, judges, and other industry professionals teach many of our specialized courses.

Learn more about University of Oregon School of Law faculty books and articles.

Hear faculty discuss, in their own own words, why the choose to teach at Oregon Law:




 

LL.M. students visit a law firm in Portland, Oregon to discuss business law and environmental law issues

Applicants to the Oregon LL.M. program must have earned a J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school or hold a law degree (LL.B., Bachelor's of Law, or equivalent) from a non-U.S. program of legal education. Those who are pursuing a concurrent-degree LL.M. may be eligible to apply to the Oregon LL.M. program.

The LL.M. Advisory Committee reviews each LL.M. application. Admission decisions will be based on an applicant’s academic record, legal research and writing skills, English language proficiency (if applicable), work or volunteer experience related to the concentration sought, recommendations from professors or employers, and the applicant’s demonstrated interest in the LL.M. concentration to which the applicant is applying.

Applicants may apply directly to the Oregon Law LL.M. program or through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

Requirements for LL.M. applicants include:

• Oregon LL.M. Application
• Checklist for Application to Oregon LL.M. Program
• Application deadline: LL.M. admission operates on a rolling admission basis; therefore, there are no set application deadlines. However, we recommend, especially international students, applying as early as possible. 
• Application fee: $50 (waived for international applicants and all applicants who apply through LSAC)
• Two Letters of Recommendation (no more than three) from employers, professors, or colleagues that discuss the applicant’s academic achievements, professional work, and legal research and writing abilities.
• Official Transcripts (in English or certified English translation) from all colleges and universities attended and degrees conferred.  
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) that demonstrates the applicant’s work experience, education, and, if applicable, admission to practice law.
• Legal Writing Sample (in English) that demonstrates legal writing, research, and analytical abilities. (For example, a paper on a legal topic, a court brief or other legal document, written solely by the applicant.)
• A personal statement that discusses an applicant’s interest in pursuing an LLM degree at Oregon Law (250–500 words)
• TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0 for foreign applicants is preferred. Test results cannot be older than 2 years (24 months) from the testing date. Applicants who have a lower TOEFL or IELTS score may be asked to provide supplemental written materials and participate in an applicant interview to demonstrate English language proficiency.
• International Student Financial Statement (supporting documents are required for the visa application process - see the International Student Financial Statements section below)

International Student Financial Statements

International students must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources for educational and living expenses while studying in the United States before a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 1-20 or DS-2019) can be issued by the University of Oregon. Support documents (no more than six months old) must be submitted with the International Student Financial Statement. Supporting documents can be: 1) Bank statement or certificate of balance that contains the bank's seal or are signed by a bank official on official letterhead indicating account opening date and current balance; 2) scholarship or sponsorship letter verifying the amount, source, and length of the award.

U.S. Bar Examinations

Students who are pursuing a Master of Laws degree to apply to take a state bar exam in the United States should review and confirm their eligibility and any course/degree requirements with the bar exam administrators in each state to which the student intends to apply. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides a general guide of bar admission requirements. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Obtaining an LL.M. degree does not guarantee eligibility to sit for a bar examination.

LL.M. students visit a local court

Tuition and other fees for 2017–2018 are $41,644 (plus a one-time commencement fee of $150 and a one-time matriculation fee of $430). International students are also required to purchase and enroll in the University Health Insurance plan, unless their insurance meets University requirements.

If an applicant is admitted to the Oregon LL.M. program, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500 is required.

LL.M. students rafting the Rogue River in southern Oregon

International Students - Financial Aid and Scholarships

• All admitted applicants are automatically considered for a partial-tuition, UP TO 50%, scholarship from Oregon Law. 
• Additional scholarship options on the Oregon Law LL.M. scholarship see here https://law.uoregon.edu/explore/LLM-scholarships-and-financial-aid.
• The University of Oregon Office of International Affairs also has a list of University-affiliated scholarships at https://isss.uoregon.edu/scholarships.   

U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Eligible Noncitizens - Financial Aid and Scholarship

• Financial Aid and Scholarships – Learn more.

Oregon Coast

The Oregon LL.M. program is located in Knight Law Center on the beautiful University of Oregon campus in friendly Eugene, Oregon. Eugene is a vibrant city and major cultural center in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.

We are surrounded by nature, just a one-hour drive from the Cascade Mountains and one hour from the world-renowned Oregon Coast.

View a photo gallery of the University of Oregon Camps and of Eugene here.

Learn more about living, studying, and playing in Eugene here and here.

 

LL.M. students on a field trip to Crater Lake National Park

View the videos below to hear graduates of the program talk about their experiences.

The University of Oregon and the School of Law have a variety of student groups, resources, activities, and other ways for students to pursue both academic and personal interests outside the classroom and to connect with other members of the community, both on and off campus. Our passionate, friendly students enjoy engaging with a variety of groups both inside and outside the classroom.

Long-established student groups at the law school include Land, Air, Water (which organizes the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference each spring,) the Green Business Initiative Student Association, the Sports and Entertainment Law Forum, the International Law Student Association, and many more.

The University of Oregon International Student and Scholar Services offers a variety of programs and resources for international students. In the past, LL.M. students have enjoyed connecting with fellow students at the Mills International Center, traveling around the state on ExplOregon trips, serving on the International Student Advisory Board, and connecting with local families through the Friendship Foundation.

The UO's robust Outdoor Program and Bike Program offer opportunities for student-organized outdoor trips, equipment rental, classes, and outdoor-based volunteer opportunities, while the Student Recreation Center features workout equipment, fitness classes, indoor and outdoor playing fields and running tracks, two pools, and a climbing wall. 

Read more about LL.M. students and alumni on the Oregon Law LL.M. news blog.

View the videos below to hear alumni of the program talk about their experiences.