The 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 classes in the program include:
- Introduction to U.S. Law & Lawyering (2 credits)
- Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis for LL.M. I & II (3 credits, 2 credits)
- Professional Responsibility (3 credits)
Other credits are earned in subjects covered on the New York Bar Exam, as well as other courses offered in the Law School’s J.D. program. We strongly recommend that all or most of these credits be taken in subjects tested on the New York Bar Exam.
Recommended electives include:
- Evidence
- Trusts & Estates
- Business Organizations
- Contracts
- Torts
- Civil Procedure
- Property
- Criminal Law
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.
The primary reason our LL.M. students are successful on the bar example is simple: preparation. We offer the following "bonus" courses to help students prepare for the bar exam. The ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and write quickly is essential for success on the bar exam. These courses help students practice those skills and learn the material most commonly tested on the exam.
- Applied Legal Analysis (ALA) (3 credits per semester)
A two-semester, six-credit course set designed to prepare LL.M. students for the bar exam by providing a comprehensive review of subjects that are commonly tested on the exam. Over the course of two semester, the subjects usually covered include: Property, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure.
- Drafting: Practice Documents (2 credits per semester)
A separate companion course to Applied Legal Analysis. It focuses on writing essays and documents on topics related to the subjects of Applied Legal Analysis, to help students prepare for the written portions of the bar exam and for eventual practice in law firms. You can take this course in both fall and spring semesters.