Temple University - Beasley School of Law

Strong rankings. Personal attention. Top value. We invite you to accelerate your career with an LL.M. degree from Temple! 

Temple Law is a top law school, consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report for International Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Trial Advocacy, among other specialties. Temple Law’s distinguished professors are accomplished, supportive, and dedicated to preparing students for outstanding careers.

Temple has two international campuses, located in Tokyo and Rome, at which LL.M. students may be able to study. Over half of the faculty has taught at Temple's campuses abroad, demonstrating their global interests and sensitivity to the needs of international students.

Beasley School of Law

Why Choose Temple Law for Your LL.M.?

Our LL.M. program is one of the longest running in the U.S., with alumni around the world. U.S. News and World Report ranks Temple Law as a top law school, particularly in trial advocacy, legal writing, healthcare law and international law. Courses within our specialty rankings are popular with our international students.

We welcome:

• Recent law graduates
• International attorneys
• Legal academics, counsel, and government officials
• Any student who has earned a first degree in law

The LL.M. degree for Foreign-Trained Lawyers is the equivalent of what other schools refer to as a “General” or “Traditional” LL.M. or an “LL.M. in American Law.” It is a Master’s level degree for students who have earned their first degree in law.

Our Faculty

Our faculty devotes uncommon attention supporting each student’s academic and professional growth, understanding that each student is unique. The result is a community of students, faculty, and alumni in which individuals and relationships are highly valued, forming a community of common purpose that will remain with you long after graduation. Over half of Temple Law’s faculty have taught at Temple’s Rome and Tokyo campuses, as well as in Beijing and other countries, demonstrating their global interests and commitment to the needs of international students.

Our LLM alumni are an important part of the Temple Law family. Please follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. We invite our alumni to contact us if you need assistance with general career advice, general graduate or professional school advice, resume review, or practice interviews. Also, please let us know if you are willing to give a presentation or serve on a panel representing Temple Law in your home country.

We are fortunate to have educated students from over 70 countries and welcome students from all countries to apply!

Application Deadline: June 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring semester admission (extensions for either semester available upon request).

Students must demonstrate they have:

1. Prior Legal Education: To qualify for admission to the LL.M. program, you must have earned a first degree in law (such as an LL.B.) outside of the United States or 
2. English Proficiency: Demonstrate English proficiency by earning:

• 88 on the TOEFL (report code number 2906-03);
• 6.5 on the IELTS (with no individual band score below 6.0);
• 115 on the Duolingo english test; or
• ** Submit a waiver request if your native language is English or you have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the primary language of instruction.

Conditional Admission Program

Applicants who are otherwise academically qualified, but fall slightly below the desired scores, may be required to attend a summer English-language training program in the United States as a condition of admission. To qualify for conditional admission, in general students must have earned a TOEFL score of 80 or an IELTS combined score of 6.0 (with no individual band score lower than 5.0).

Students may take these courses at Temple’s Center for American Language and Culture (formerly known as the Intensive English Language Program). For more information, please contact ally.lamson@temple.edu. 

Prospective students can apply through LSAC or apply directly.After beginning your online application, please submit the following documents:

• Proof of English proficiency
• Official law school transcript
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume
• $50 application fee (may be waived upon request)

All documents submitted must be in English. Translations must be certified by a credentialed evaluation service. You should submit both the original and the translated versions.

An interview is not required. However, we welcome prospective applicants to visit us or schedule an informal video chat so that we can answer your questions about the program.

Tuition and Costs

Students studying fewer than nine credits per semester are considered part time, and thus pay by credit. Students who are full time pay the fixed rate for the year. In addition to tuition, please also budget for living expenses in the Philadelphia area.

In June of each year the Temple University trustees establish the tuition rates for the academic year which begins in mid-August. The cost of education at Temple Law is very reasonable, especially considering the quality of education and the many opportunities available at Temple.

2020-21 Pennsylvania Residents AND Out-of-State Residents

Full-time: $33,000
Part-time per credit hour: $1,500

Temple Law offers partial tuition scholarships based on need and merit. The amount of any award offered will only be indicated after a final admissions decision has been made. Even without financial aid, Temple’s LL.M. tuition is extremely competitive when compared to the tuition at many other U.S. law schools. Please visit our Financial Aid for Graduate Students page for more information. 

Temple Law is located in Philadelphia, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., conveniently located between New York City and Washington, DC. The cost of living in Philadelphia is lower than that of other east coast cities, allowing students to live affordably in a large city while pursuing an excellent education and building a network.

Philadelphia is a UNESCO World Heritage City and was just named one of the top 25 cities to visit in the World for 2020 by National Geographic. Many young professionals flock from New York to Philadelphia. We believe that you, too, will fall in love with Philadelphia.

In addition, LL.M. students may also be able to study abroad at our Rome or Tokyo campuses as part of their degree.

A limited amount of housing for graduate students is available, although most LL.M. students live in nearby private, off-campus housing. If you are looking to meet potential roommates, please contact our office. Please also visit the Temple University Housing Office website for other housing options. 

Temple Law has a very strong sense of community. Our LL.M. students actively take part in many aspects of law school student life, including participating in student organizations, events, and other social activities, forming tight bonds with other LL.M. and J.D. students and experiencing university life fully.

The Office of Graduate and International Programs hosts several social events throughout the year, including happy hours, networking receptions at Temple and in partnership with other international organizations in Philadelphia, tea tasting lessons, and informal and formal meals. Temple Law’s International Law Society and other student groups also host events and offer peer resources for international students.

Summer Classes in American Law in Rome, Italy

Temple Law maintains a campus in Rome, Italy situated on the Tiber River in the historic heart of Rome. Eligible students may attend courses in Rome, Italy for 4 weeks in the summer abroad program.

LL.M. Orientation

We are excited to have you join the Temple community! Our program begins with a two-week LL.M. Orientation in August (fall admission) or a one-week orientation in January (spring admission) where you will take an introductory course on the American legal system and participate in other lectures and workshops that will prepare you for law studies in the United States. During orientation, you will meet classmates, faculty, deans, and other members of the Temple family and learn about Temple’s opportunities and resources that will lay the foundation for a great experience while you are here.

In certain limited cases, students may begin our LL.M. program at the beginning of our spring semester in January. Please contact us for more information.