Requirements
The LL.M. in American Legal Studies provides students who already hold a law degree with an introduction to the breadth of American law. Students who complete the LL.M. program are ready for the further study of law in the United States, select bar examinations, and the practice of law internationally. Candidates must hold a basic law degree (LL.B. or equivalent) from an accredited foreign college or university, or a J.D. from an accredited American law school
Curriculum
The KU Law LL.M. in American Legal Studies will prepare you to take the New York Bar Examination. The curriculum, tied to the requirements set by the New York Bar Examiners, consists of the following:
Course Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| LAW 972 | Professional Responsibility | 2 |
| LAW 820 | Lawyering Skills I | 2 |
| LAW 806 | Introduction to Constitutional Law | 4 |
| Business Organizations | |
| Conflict of Laws | |
| Contracts | |
| Criminal Law | |
| Commercial Law: Secured Transactions | |
| Criminal Procedure: Investigation | |
| Evidence | |
| Family Law | |
| Property | |
| Torts I | |
| Trusts and Estates | |
| 10 |
| |
| Total Hours | 24 |
Students seeking a more specialized curriculum may request approval from the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law to waive one or more course requirements. Note: The New York Board of Examiners requires all applicants to complete 50 hours of pro bono work.
Grading System
An LL.M. student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 at the end of any regular semester is on probation. A student on probation is not in good standing for purposes of the rules of withdrawal or any other rules that require good standing.
All LL.M. students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 during the semester in which they complete 24 credit hours, or they will not be awarded the degree nor will they be permitted to continue in school. There is no appeal within this law school from this requirement.
LL.M. students are not subject to the mandatory grading guidelines applicable to students seeking a J.D. degree.
Students must complete all requirements for the degree within three years of initial enrollment.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Acquire Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law.
- Develop legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, professional skills, and written and oral communication in the legal context.
- Exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system.
