Applicants to the LL.M. programs must possess a juris doctor (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school. Applicants currently enrolled in U.S. law schools may apply for admission after completing two years of law school. Admission to the LL.M. programs is competitive and is based primarily upon previous excellence in law studies. Those admitted to the LL.M. programs have excellent academic credentials and may also have significant professional experience. Almost all of our accepted U.S. applicants are in the top half of their class of a nationally ranked law school.
Completed applications are reviewed on a “rolling” basis throughout the year, and many applicants will receive a decision within three weeks from the date their application becomes complete.
Deadlines
Priority deadlines are as follows:
Fall Admission
File complete by July 1
Spring Admission
File complete by December 1
Summer Admission
File complete by May 1
Applications for admission will be considered on a space-available basis after the priority deadlines.
Full-time or Part-time Status
Applicants for both the LL.M. and diploma programs may enroll on a full-time basis (completing a program within two or three semesters) or a part-time basis (completing a program over a longer period, not exceeding four years in the Tax Program, Business and Corporate Program, and International Law Program; or six years in the General LL.M. Program). Some evening courses are available in most programs. Students may commence their graduate studies in the fall, spring or summer sessions.
Transfer Students
With advance approval and depending on the degree program, students currently enrolled in an LL.M. program at another school may apply as transfer students. Three to six credits of non-USD law school work may be applied toward the LL.M. Transfer grades do not count toward the degree candidate’s USD School of Law grade point average.
Visiting Students
Applicants enrolled in an LL.M. program at another ABA accredited law school may apply for admission as a visiting student on a full-time or part-time basis. Visiting students are permitted to enroll for courses, but are not degree candidates at the School of Law. Credits earned by visiting students may be applied toward the degree requirements at their home school.
Application Instructions
We accept applications prepared by using the Law School Admissions Council's (LSAC) reporting service. This service allows you to use your computer to efficiently fill out your application. Visit the law school's LSAC site at http://www4.lsac.org/lsacd_on_the_web/login/open.aspx?ID=KE934849L1489MO and complete the application. LSAC will then send both printed and electronic versions of your application to our office. For online applicants this will be sent to USD via LSAC. Applicants who have received their legal training in the United States must not submit transcripts or letters of recommendation through the LSAC service. Please submit only applications, resumes, and personal statements through the LSAC service. Transcripts and letters of recommendation that have been submitted to LSAC will not be forwarded to USD and will not be returned to the applicant, thus requiring the applicant to request these documents again.
If you are unable to complete the online electronic application, you can print a paper version in PDF format and send a completed copy directly to this law school at the address indicated below. Application Checklist
Application Fee
Payment of the nonrefundable application fee of US$50.00 may be made by a check drawn on a US bank or by international money order; payment may not be made by credit card. The application fee must be made payable to the University of San Diego School of Law. The application fee will be waived for applicants who submit their applications electronically through the LSAC Electronic Application service.
Personal Statement
Please submit a brief personal statement addressing
the nature and extent of your legal background,
other related professional experience,
why you will be a successful candidate for this degree,
how you plan to make use of your graduate degree, and
any additional information you deem important.
Resume
Please submit a current resume.
Letter of Recommendation
Please submit at least one letter of recommendation from a law professor, attorney, or other legal professional who is familiar with your work.
Official Law School Transcripts and Class Rank
An official transcript from each law school attended is required and must be sent directly to us from your school’s registrar. Please include a description of the law school’s grading policies with your application. You do not need to provide official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.
An official class rank, or an official approximation of class standing, is also required of applicants. If your law school does not rank its students, we must have notice of such in writing.
Photocopies
Applicants should keep a copy of all materials submitted to the Graduate Programs Office. Once original transcripts and documents are received, they cannot be returned or photocopied by the Graduate Programs Office.
Materials should be mailed to the following address:
University of San Diego School of Law
Graduate Programs - Warren Hall 207
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, California 92110-2492
