Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are average living expenses for a full-time graduate student?
A: Most full-time students complete the program in
9 months (3 quarters) and average 13-14 credits per quarter.
Expenses are subject to change without notice and students
should be prepared for any adjustment.
>> Estimated fees and expenses
Q. Is there a tuition discount for Washington state residents?
A. No, we are a self-sustaining program and all students are charged as noted on Course and Other Fees.
Q. How many credits do I need to enroll in to qualify for financial aid?
A. Full-time students may register for at least 10 and part-time at least 5.
Q. Do I need to take the GRE exam?
A. No, we do not require GRE scores. Foreign applicants must submit English competency test scores including TOEFL (written, computerized or internet-based), MLT or IELTS.
Q. Will the LL.M. program qualify me to sit for the New York Bar exam?
A. Maybe. Several of our students have been able to fulfill the requirements to qualify for the New York bar exam while completing the LL.M. degree. In general, you need a minimum of two courses in basic American law from the approved subject list. Our academic services group will work with students to confirm enrollment and degree completion.
Q. I was schooled outside of the United States, but am now a U.S. resident. Am I still considered an International Student?
A. An international student is anyone who IS NOT a U.S. citizen and does not hold a U.S. Permanent Resident Visa (i.e., "Green Card or Immigrant"). This definition also includes students who hold U.S. visas, such as F-1 students, exchange visitors, or any other non-immigrant classifications.
Q. Can I take English classes while I am pursuing an LL.M. degree?
A. Occasionally students with a TOEFL score slightly below 580 (paper-based), 237 (computerized), or 92 (internet-based) are admitted to the LL.M. program on a conditional basis. The condition of admission is attendance at ESL courses run by the University of Washington (separate and additional fees apply). These ESL courses are 5 credit courses (with the exception of ENG 101 which is a 10 credit course) which students would take in addition to their normal LL.M. course load. The fee for the 2010-11 academic year is based on the resident undergraduate tuition for a total of $1,451 per course with the exception of ENG 101 which is $2,902.
Placement in the ESL classes is determined by the scores received on the TOEFLiBT. If a TOEFLiBT score is not received, the student is required to take the Academic English Program (AEP) Diagnostic/Placement Test before the beginning of the fall quarter. (See more information about the AEP Diagnostic/Placement Test.) Additionally, students can take the AEP Placement Test to see if they are able to test out of any additional English classes or they may choose to take the TOEFL again. If they receive a TOEFL score higher than 580, 237 or 92, they will need to submit an updated score to Graduate Admissions in order to have the language requirement removed. The LL.M. degree cannot be conferred on a candidate who gains conditional admission before the completion of these compulsory ESL courses.
Students who aren’t required to take ESL courses but are interested in taking them, will only be allowed to take a course on a space available basis and with permission of the Academic English Program.
>> more information about the English Language Programs offered at the UW
Q. Can I study English during the summer before enrolling in the LL.M.?
Yes, we encourage students accepted into LL.M. Programs who feel the need for additional English language study to participate in any or all of the following Summer Institutes: the Summer Institute in Transnational Law and Practice, the Summer Institute in English for Business and Law (SIEBL), the Center for Advanced Study and Research on Intellectual Property's (CASRIP) Patent and Intellectual Property Law and Practice Summer Institute, and Advanced Academic Preparation Skills (AAPS). These summer programs will be completed before starting the LL.M. program and tuition for these programs are in addition to the LL.M. tuition.
For more information see:
The University of Washington also offers online English language courses that may be taken anywhere in the world.
Q: How do I get a visa?
A: Visas eligibility forms are processed by Graduate Admissions on the main campus, not by the Law School. As soon as your application is complete and you have been formally admitted, Graduate Admissions will send you an I-20 visa form.
Before you receive your I-20 visa form, you must have completed and returned to Graduate Admissions your Statement of Financial Ability form. You cannot receive a visa eligibility form without completing the Statement of Financial Ability.
Your visa processing is not designed for you to come to the US during the previous summer, unless you have an academic reason for doing so. This would include participation in a UW-sponsored Summer Institute or English program, a commercial English program or a program offered at another university. If you will be participating in one of these programs, you must notify the IP LLM Program about this early.
Q: How long will it take to get a visa?
A: Graduate Admissions is processing thousands of visas for students all over the university. Your visa forms will usually be processed in time for you to begin classes in the Autumn Quarter.
Q: How do I find out about housing?
A: Students and Visitors should find the following housing resources useful:
- On-Campus Information
The University of Washington offers residence hall accommodations, single-student apartments, family housing, and apartments for married students or students in a registered same sex domestic partnership. For more information on the types of housing available through the University, please visit the Housing and Food Services website. You may also call (206)543-4059 or email hfsinfo@u.washington.edu and the Student Services Office is located at 301 Schmitz (1400 NE Campus Parkway).
- Off-Campus Information
For listings of off-campus housing, you may go online to any of several Seattle newspaper and look in the classified section.
- Homestay
If you would like to live with a host family for a short time before finding permanent housing, we recommend that you make arrangements through the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS).
Q: May I still submit an application after the deadline has passed?
A: International applicants:
The priority deadline is February 1. Application materials submitted after this date will still be evaluated; however, we cannot guarantee that materials submitted after this date will be processed in a timely fashion to permit enrollment in time for Autumn Quarter.
Domestic (U.S.) applicants:
The priority deadline is June 1. Application materials submitted after this date will still be evaluated; however, we cannot guarantee that materials submitted after this date will be processed in a timely fashion to permit enrollment in time for Autumn Quarter.
Q: I received my letter of recommendation for admission from the program. How long will it take to get my official notice from the Graduate School?
A: Once you have completed all of the Graduate School admission materials including sealed official transcripts, official TOEFL scores (International only), and statement of financial ability (International only), the letter will be written and mailed to you. Please notify your program assistant of any changes in address.
Please make sure your mailing address that is included on your online application is correct.