UW School of Law > Law, Technology & Arts > J.D. Concentration or LL.M Program > LL.M. Graduate Program > FAQ

UW LL.M. Program Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions hide all  show all

  • Does the UW School of Law offer specialized LL.M. degrees?
    We offer LL.M. programs that lead to degrees in these specialized areas:
    Note: A general LL.M. is also available.
  • Why should I consider an LL.M.?
    Our LL.M. programs are designed for legal professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and expand their proficiency in a specific field of law. They are designed for those who seek to rise to the very top of the legal profession.
  • How long does the program take?
    Full-time LL.M. students can expect to complete the degree requirements in one academic year. Part-time students have up to 6 years to complete the degree.
  • May I attend part-time?
    • In the Health, Intellectual Property, and Taxation programs, students may attend part-time.
    • The Asian Law, Global Business, Sustainable International Development, and General programs are primarily designed for full-time study.
  • Can I start in any quarter?
    • Students in all programs (except Taxation) are expected to start at the beginning of Autumn quarter.
    • Taxation: International students may only begin in Autumn quarter. Domestic students may also begin Winter or Spring quarter, but may be limited in their choice of classes, as many prerequisites are only offered during Autumn quarter.
  • Do you have a concurrent J.D./LL.M. option for current J.D. students?

    Yes. Application procedures remain the same as for external applicants. Concurrent students may take up to 12 credits of classes to count toward both their J.D. and LL.M. degrees.

    • Health, Intellectual Property, and Taxation: Candidates may apply as concurrent students in Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarters. During this time, concurrent students are charged J.D. tuition for Health, Intellectual Property or Taxation classes. Classes taken beyond the first 12 credits will only count toward the LL.M. degree, and concurrent students will be charged the individual program fees for their courses.
    • Asian Law, Global Business, Sustainable International Development: J.D. students may apply for concurrent enrollment at the end of their 1L or 2L year. For detailed information see the J.D./LL.M. Concurrent degree page.
  • Do you accept transfer credits from other LL.M. programs?
    • Asian Law, Global Business, Sustainable International Development, General, and Taxation: A student working toward the master's degree may petition the Dean of the Graduate School for permission to transfer to the University of Washington the equivalent of a maximum of 6 quarter credits of graduate level course work taken at another recognized academic institution. These credits may not have been used to satisfy requirements for another degree. See the Graduate School’s page on Transfer Credit for more information.
    • Health and Intellectual Property: No.
  • How large are the programs?
    For detailed statistics on admitted and enrolled students please visit the Graduate School's Admissions Summary.
  • Can I transfer from an LL.M. program into the J.D. program?
    No. You will need to apply separately to the J.D. program.
  • Will the LL.M. program qualify me to sit for a state Bar exam?

    The LL.M. is designed to support those students who also choose to prepare for a state Bar exam, usually the New York or California Bar. International students in the Health, Intellectual Property, and Taxation programs interested in taking a state bar examination should anticipate taking at least 45 quarter hours of course credit to complete the LL.M. degree.

    The guidelines for admission of foreign-educated lawyers to the Washington State Bar exam are currently under review. The Washington State Courts publish current and proposed rules on their website.

See also

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Last updated 4/22/2013