Law

U.S. Legal Studies LL.M.

The LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies is designed for one purpose: to prepare internationally-trained attorneys to pass the New York Bar Exam and gain admission to practice law in this unrivaled jurisdiction.

Your Keys to the New York Bar

New York is home to the world’s preeminent law firms and to leading attorneys in every practice area. It is the legal profession’s hub and heart.

As a student in this program, you will:

Learn from some of New York’s best academic lawyers and most experienced practicing attorneys
Live in New York City, the financial, cultural and commercial capital of the U.S. and a true World City
Prepare yourself for the Bar Exam in a program focused closely on getting you ready to meet this challenge

The LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies at St. John’s offers you these and many more keys to a rewarding legal career in New York and to the world of practice opportunities you can access as a New York lawyer.

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

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Degree Type

LLM

Area of Interest

Law, Policy & Government

Associated Colleges or Schools

School of Law

Program Location

Queens Campus

Required Credit Hours

Curriculum

The LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies is designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to pass the New York Bar Exam and succeed in practice in this important jurisdiction. Students must complete at least 24 credits; many complete between 24-30 credits. Part-time and full-time schedules are available, depending on visa status.

Core Courses

Professional Responsibility or Professional Responsibility: Global Context (3 credits)
Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing for International LL.M.s I and II (5 credits)
Introduction to U.S. Law and Lawyering (3 credits)
Foundational Doctrine & Skills: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure (3 credits)

Bar Tested Courses

LL.M. students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in courses in subjects tested on the New York bar examination or the New York Law Examination:

Business Organizations
Civil Procedure
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure: Adjudication
Criminal Procedure: Investigation
Evidence
Family Law
New York Civil Litigation Practice
New York Criminal Practice
Property
Torts

Skills Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 3 credits in skills-based courses:

Advanced Interviewing & Counseling
Drafting: Contracts
Drafting: Practice Documents (Fall and Spring)
Introduction to Advocacy for LL.M.
Lawyering Across Borders
TPS – International Business Transactions
TPS – International Law

Elective Courses

Foundational Doctrine & Skills: Real Property and Civil Procedure
If a student wishes to enroll in elective courses outside of the courses set forth above, they will be required to seek approval from the Director for Graduate Academic Programs or the Dean for Academic Affairs.

Preparing You for the New York Bar Exam

Gaining admission to the New York Bar is a multi-step process. Staff at the Office of Graduate Studies assists all our students as they navigate the process. If you have questions about your eligibility for a bar track program and eligibility for the bar, please review our Frequently Asked Questions. You can also contact our office to speak with an admissions counselor.

Practical Experience: Internships & Post-Graduate Work

Our dedicated LL.M. career advisor helps students develop a professional network, develop job application materials, and prepare for interviews, for positions during their course of study and after graduation. Starting in the second semester, LL.M. students have the opportunity to intern for academic credit. Many students also take advantage of summer work opportunities. Depending on the circumstances, some students who study at St. John's on an F-1 student visa are able to take advantage of the visa status known as OPT (Optional Practical Training) after they complete their course of study. Note work opportunities vary depending on student visa status, among other factors. Past student work experiences include:

Large law firms
Small law firms
Courts & government
Business
and more!