Interviews are not required, although a student may request an interview with the Chair of the Graduate Law Admissions Committee, or the Chair may request a meeting to clarify some part of the application process.
Eligibility to Apply
For Graduates of US Law Schools
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association is required. The applicant must have demonstrated academic excellence in earning the first law degree.
For Graduates of non-US Law Schools
Applicants seeking admission to the LLM degree program must have earned a law degree with high academic standing from a duly-accredited foreign university. Applicants may find it helpful to review LSAC’s LLM eligibility requirements here, although Suffolk Law School may make a different determination.
Degree Requirements
All students must satisfactorily complete 24 credits to earn the LLM degree. Students must remain in good academic standing.
| Full Time | Residency Duration: 1 to 1½ years | Students enrolled in the Full Time LLM program must register for at least 9 credits per semester. |
| Part Time | Residency Duration: 1 to 3 years | Students enrolled in the Part Time LLM program must register for at least 4 credits per semester. |
Application Deadlines
| May 15 | Fall semester applications due |
| October 1 | Spring semester applications due |
Admission Decisions and Scholarship Information
The Graduate Law Admissions Committee operates on a rolling admissions basis. A candidate is notified as soon as a decision is made. For fall admission, review of applications begins in January and continues throughout the spring. For spring admission, review of applications begins in September and continues throughout the fall. It is to the applicant's advantage to complete the process early.
All applicants are automatically reviewed for merit-based scholarship potential. No separate application is required. Applicants will be notified of their admission decision and scholarship award at the same time.
Application Process
Step 1: Create LSAC Account
This is the preferred application method. If you are not able to use LSAC, please send an email for additional options.
Complete Suffolk Law's application online. You must create an LSAC account to apply to Suffolk Law School. The priority deadline is October 1 for applicants seeking to start in January and May 15 for applicants seeking to start in August.
You will upload your resume and personal statement as part of the online application.
Step 2: Transcripts and Recommendations
You will need to submit all college, law school, and graduate school transcripts and at least two letters of recommendation through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You must register for this service separately.
Letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC.
Step 3: Application Fee
The $60 application fee paid through LSAC is non-refundable.
Once you have completed the steps above, your application will be complete and it will be sent to us for review and decision. Email our Graduate Law Admission Office with any questions or to receive help with the process.
Application Materials - All Applicants
Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
If you have taken the LSAT, you must list on the application form each time you took the test and the scores that you received. Please note that the LSAT is not required for graduates of non-US law schools.
TOEFL/IELTS
Applicants must demonstrate that they possess the requisite English language skills to undertake and complete their course of study. Applicants should be aware that no remedial language assistance is available for graduate law students. Applicants who received their law degree from an institution in which English is not the language of instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Although the Law School considers each application in its entirety, applicants with the highest likelihood of admission to the Law School will have attained a score of at least 80 (internet based) or a score of 6.5 on IELTS. Information concerning the TOEFL may be found here. Please use the Suffolk University Law School code number, 3771-03, when asking the Educational Testing Service to send us TOEFL score reports.
Local applicants may also qualify to use Suffolk University’s own English language proficiency test. Please contact our Graduate Law Admission Office for additional information about this option.
Official Academic Transcripts
Register for LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You must register for this service separately. All transcripts or other academic records must be official documents bearing the registrar’s signature and/or the institution’s seal. If these records are not in English, a certified English translation must be submitted together with the originals or copies. Transcripts submitted via LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service are considered official; you do not need to submit additional copies.
Personal Statement/Letter of Motivation
Upload your personal statement/letter of motivation as part of the LSAC application to Suffolk Law School.
The applicant’s personal statement should address your motivation and preparation for the study of an LLM degree. This is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about you and why you wish to pursue an LLM degree at Suffolk Law School. Applicants may choose to include personal and professional reasons, as well as, to highlight any circumstances that you believe are relevant to the evaluation of your credentials. The personal statement should be double-spaced and two pages in length is typically sufficient.
Resume
Applicants are required to submit an updated resume with their application. Upload your resume as part of the LSAC application to Suffolk Law School.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Suffolk Law requires at least two – but accepts up to three – letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be written by individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities. Letters of recommendation should never come from family members or friends. Appropriate recommenders may include current or former law professors, employment supervisors, and other colleagues who have direct knowledge of your ability to succeed in a graduate level law degree. If these letters are not in English, a certified English translation must also be submitted.
Additional Information for Graduates of Non-US Law Schools
INTO Suffolk Pathway Programs
The INTO Suffolk program offers an LLM Pathway program that blends academic preparation and intensive English-language training to prepare international students for the rigors of an LLM program at Suffolk Law. The one- and two-semester programs are designed to ease an international student’s transition to a new country and educational system, improve English language skills, and fulfill certain LLM academic coursework requirements.
Conditional Admission
Some otherwise qualified applicants may need and benefit from additional English language instruction before being admitted to the LLM degree program. On a case by case basis, applicants may be admitted conditionally, subject to satisfactory completion of a course of English language study and subsequent reevaluation of their English language proficiency.
Other Accepted Credential Evaluation Services
Applicants from foreign undergraduate and graduate programs may register with the Center for Educational Documentation (CED) or World Education Services (WES) for transcript certification. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be sent to CED or WES, who will provide the Law School with an evaluation of the applicant's academic record.
Important Notice for Mexican Applicants
Graduates of the LLM in Global Law and Technology are eligible to receive the “titulo” from Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, upon petition and satisfaction of an oral exam.