Applications for the Comparative Law Program are accepted for the Fall semester only since both required courses are offered in the Fall semester only. In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the chair or director of the Program, graduates of law schools from common law countries may be admitted for the Spring semester. Applications for the Inter-American, International, and Ocean and Coastal Law Programs are accepted for the Fall and Spring semesters. Students enrolling in an LL.M. program must have earned a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school or an equivalent law degree from a foreign law school prior to entering the LL.M. program.
Applications are reviewed as soon as the file is complete. All foreign applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by May 1st to ensure sufficient time in processing student visas. A completed application consists of the LL.M. application, the application fee, all academic records—including original undergraduate and law school transcripts, a copy of the LSDAS report (for graduates of U.S. law schools), a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants whose native language is not English or whose first law degree is not from a law school where English is the principal language of instruction and examination must provide proof of competency in English; a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 580 on the paperbased test, or 237 on the computer-based test, or 70 on the internet-based test (maximum score of 90 for reading, writing, and listening scetions only) is required. In exceptional circumstances and at the sole discretion of the chair or director of the program, the TOEFL requirement may be waived. In general, the TOEFL will not be waived unless the applicant can provide alternate confirmation of competency in English, such as grades from another American institution.
The School’s admission standards are high, and its admission process is selective. In evaluating a candidate for admission, Miami, like most law schools, carefully reviews the applicant’s academic record and demonstrated ability to do graduate work. Unlike many law schools, Miami also considers personal information such as job history, significant extracurricular activities, special skills, and evidence of high motivation and maturity.
Upon receipt of an application, we will confirm receipt of the application and will inform the applicant of any missing items. Admission decisions will be given in writing only, and will be communicated only to the applicant unless the applicant has requested, in writing, that we communicate the decision to a third party.
Admitted students who plan to attend an LL.M. Program will be required to submit a nonrefundable deposit by the date indicated in the letter of acceptance. The deposit will be credited against the student’s tuition bill upon registration. Students who have paid their tuition deposit will receive additional information on matters such as orientation and registration prior to the commencement of the program.
Subject to space availability, the instructor’s permission, the permission of the program director in the case of an LL.M. course, and the payment of the appropriate fee (one half the otherwise applicable tuition, except for University of Miami School of Law alumni, for whom the charge is one-quarter), attorneys may audit courses. Others may audit classes at the School of Law only upon receiving the written approval of the Associate Dean. Auditors do not take examinations, and no grades or academic credits are recorded for their work. Only those who are in proper visa status may enroll as non-degree auditors; the University will not issue F-1 visas to students for the purposes of auditing classes.
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