LLM in U.S. Laws
Designed for foreign educated lawyers, and supportive of those wishing to take the California Bar Exam, this 1-2 year program allows for optional specialization in Intellectual Property, International / Comparative Law, or Human Rights.
Our small LLM class size allows us to offer personalized academic advising, bar preparation, and career counseling to LLM students. Our Center for Global Law & Policy arranges co-curricular events and activities specific to global and LLM students including our signature Silicon Valley Immersion, Career Launch training, bi-annual court visits and observations, and social events (such as U.S. Thanksgiving celebration, and trips to local cultural institutions like the SF Opera and local museums).
The LLM in U.S. Laws degree is 24 credits. It can be completed full time in 2 semesters (1 academic year) or part-time up to 4 semesters (2 academic years). We accept students to begin the program in both Fall (September) and Spring (January).
For admission to our LLM in U.S. Laws, we require an LSAC educational evaluation showing that the applicant has a First Professional Degree in Law with an "above average" or "superior" academic record. We also require the student to document English language proficiency. From there, we review the particulars of the application and consider the applicant's background including work history, leadership experiences, and academic interests to determine if the applicant would be successful at Santa Clara Law and benefit from our course offerings.
- Application
- LSAC CAS report including official transcripts for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs attended (with translations, and LSAC education evaluation)
- English Proficiency Documents (for international applicants)
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
Your application documents must be submitted directly to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) from your prior university. LSAC will then validate the documents, evaluate your education and confirm the educational achievement and it's U.S. equivalent.
Application Costs: Santa Clara Law does not charge any application fees. The Law School Admissions Counsel (LSAC) who manages the application process charges students several processing related fees, including the Credential Assembly Service (“CAS”) Report fee but those fees go directly to LSAC and not to the schools. We are not able to offer any LSAC fee waivers.
Cost of Attendance: LLM students are charged tuition per credit, and the LLM program is 24 credits total. You can review the full estimated cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and indirect costs such as cost of living in California) on the Law Financial Aid website.
We are proud to offer merit-based scholarships to exceptional applicants. These awards typically cover 25%, 50%, or 100% of tuition. Scholarships do not exceed full tuition and do not cover additional costs such as fees or living expenses.
All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships during the admissions process. There is no separate application, and awards are made without regard to immigration status or country of nationality.
Scholarship decisions are based on a holistic review of each candidate’s academic achievements, leadership experience, professional background, and potential to contribute positively to our law school community.
In addition to scholarships, students have access to monthly tuition payment plans to help manage the cost of attendance. U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens may also qualify for federal financial aid and government-subsidized loans.
A limited number of Research and Teaching Assistant positions are available. These competitive roles require a separate application and are managed directly by the departments offering them after students have been admitted and arrived on campus.
Fall Admission (Classes begin in August):
- F-1 Visa Applicants: June 1
- U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Others already in the U.S.: July 1
Spring Admission (Classes begin in January)
- F-1 Visa Applicants: November 1.
- U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Others with Valid U.S. Status: December 1
Complete applications with all application materials, including CAS reports (transcripts and letters of recommendation etc), must be received by the deadlines. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
LLM in Intellectual Property
Designed for U.S. JD holders, Santa Clara’s 1–2 year Intellectual Property Law program builds on our nationally recognized IP strength to offer advanced coursework, mentorship, and networking in specialized areas such as copyright, trademark, and patent law.
Our small LLM class size allows us to offer personalized academic advising, bar preparation, and career counseling to LLM students. Our centers of excellence partner to offer co-curricular events and activities specific to Intellectual Property students including specialized elective courses, guest lectures, court visits, IP specific trainings and networking events.
The LLM in Intellectual Property degree is 24 credits. It can be completed full time in 2 semesters (1 academic year) or part-time up to 4 semesters (2 academic years). We accept students to begin the program in both Fall (September) and Spring (January). We offer IP course work in all semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer) and in all learning formats (in person, fully online, and hybrid / flex). Additionally, some IP electives are offered during evenings and weekends to support working professionals.
For admission to our LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law, we welcome applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
- Hold a degree in law from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), or
- Hold a degree in law from a law school not approved by the ABA but accredited by the State of California and have:
- Graduated in the upper half of their class, and
- Been admitted to practice law in any United States jurisdiction.
From there, we review the particulars of the application and consider the applicant’s background, including work experience, academic interests, and potential for success at Santa Clara Law. Preference is given to applicants with a demonstrated interest or background in intellectual property law.
- Application
- LSAC CAS report including official transcripts for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic programs attended (with translations, and LSAC education evaluation)
- English Proficiency Documents (for international applicants)
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
Your application documents must be submitted directly to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) from your prior university. LSAC will then validate the documents, evaluate your education and confirm the educational achievement and it's U.S. equivalent.
Application Costs: Santa Clara Law does not charge any application fees. The Law School Admissions Counsel (LSAC) who manages the application process charges students several processing related fees, including the Credential Assembly Service (“CAS”) Report fee but those fees go directly to LSAC and not to the schools. We are not able to offer any LSAC fee waivers.
Cost of Attendance: LLM students are charged tuition per credit, and the LLM program is 24 credits total. You can review the full estimated cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and indirect costs such as cost of living in California) on the Law Financial Aid website.
We are proud to offer merit-based scholarships to exceptional applicants. These awards typically cover 25%, 50%, or 100% of tuition. Scholarships do not exceed full tuition and do not cover additional costs such as fees or living expenses.
All applicants are automatically considered for scholarships during the admissions process. There is no separate application, and awards are made without regard to immigration status or country of nationality.
Scholarship decisions are based on a holistic review of each candidate’s academic achievements, leadership experience, professional background, and potential to contribute positively to our law school community.
In addition to scholarships, students have access to monthly tuition payment plans to help manage the cost of attendance. U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens may also qualify for federal financial aid and government-subsidized loans.
A limited number of Research and Teaching Assistant positions are available. These competitive roles require a separate application and are managed directly by the departments offering them after students have been admitted and arrived on campus.
Fall Admission (Classes begin in August):
- F-1 Visa Applicants: June 1
- U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Others already in the U.S.: July 1
Spring Admission (Classes begin in January)
- F-1 Visa Applicants: November 1.
- U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Others with Valid U.S. Status: December 1
Complete applications with all application materials, including CAS reports (transcripts and letters of recommendation etc), must be received by the deadlines. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
LLM in International & Comparative Law - designed for students with a U.S. JD degree seeking advance course work in International & Comparative Law, including human rights, rule of law, international business.
Joint JD + LLM Program - designed to support current Santa Clara Law JD students who wish to complete additional, advance course work in an area of specialization. Current JD students declare their combined degrees during their 2L (second) year of law school.