A Master of Laws (LL.M.): Thesis provides an opportunity and an environment for the further study of law for individuals holding a previous law degree or equivalent and are interested in pursuing a career in scholarly research, particularly those trained in the law of a foreign country. The conditions of admission are:
- A degree or diploma representing the study of law. This is usually shown by a bachelor's degree in law (LL.B.), but also may be shown by a master's or other graduate degree in law. The Graduate Programs Committee will also consider an undergraduate major, such as in political science, that includes a significant number of law courses;
- Generally, a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average, from undergraduate work;
- A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or comparable examination score showing high proficiency in English if the prior study in law was not conducted in English. High proficiency will ordinarily be demonstrated by a TOEFL score of 100 (Internet-Based Test) or 600 (Paper-Based Test) or higher. Applicants with lower English competency scores may be required to satisfactorily complete an intensive English program before beginning the LL.M. program. Those with lower scores are normally required to take an English assessment test on campus before the beginning of their first semester, with a recommendation for a supplemental English language class, where appropriate;
- A personal statement that includes a statement of objectives and a description of the likely courses to be taken and research to be pursued at the Law School;
- Acceptance by the Graduate Admissions Committee;
- Submit a research proposal outlining the proposed research project and receive the consent of a faculty member of the Law School to act as the candidate’s adviser as assigned by the Graduate Programs Committee.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 601 | Introduction to American Law | 3 |
| LAW 602 | Legal Sources | 3 |
| LAW 990 | Directed Research | 6 |
| Additional elective coursework in LAW to reach 24 credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
An overall Law School C average (2.0) is needed for satisfactory completion of the Master of Laws: Law: Course-Based program. A course grade of D+ or below will be averaged into the GPA, but the course will not count towards the 24-credit course requirement.
POLICIES
CREDITS
- Satisfactory completion of at least 13 credits in residence while enrolled as an LL.M. student
- Students who are participating in an approved reciprocal exchange of credits agreement between their home university and the Law School at the master's level may apply up to 6 credits in law classes earned at their home university at the master's level towards the LL.M. degree. When an approved reciprocal exchange of credits agreement is not in place, students may petition the Graduate Programs Committee to apply up to 6 credits in law classes earned at their home university at the master’s level towards the LL.M. degree.
- Students may apply up to 11 credits in law classes earned through a Law School approved exchange program, the Visiting International Student Program Law Thematic Track, and University of Wisconsin Law School LL.M. Pathway Courses towards the LL.M. Degree.
- Any credits earned at the Law School or in any collaborative program must have been earned within 6 years of the completion of this program.
- Credits for courses taken in the Master of Laws: Law: Course-Based program may not transfer for students applying to the J.D. program at UW Law School.
GRADES
- Students in this program are graded using the Law School's grade scale, provided in Law School Rule 2.01. A grade of C- or higher in a Law School course or seminar will be deemed satisfactory completion of a course and will satisfy program standards. The grades for courses taken outside the Law School in other University departments must be BC or better to count towards the program. Law School Rule 2.01 should be relied on to determine the overall GPA of the student in the Master of Laws: Law: Course-Based program. An overall C (2.0) average is needed for satisfactory completion of this program. A course grade of D+ or below will be averaged into the GPA, but the course will not count towards the 24 credit course requirement. LAW 990 Directed Research and LAW 991 Directed Reading are graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (not by letter grades) and therefore are not used in calculating the GPA. The pass/fail option is not available to unless the course is offered only on a pass/fail basis.
- The candidate's program, including courses dropped or added after the initial consultation with the Law School (Master of Laws: Law: Course-Based program) academic adviser, is subject to the approval of the Law School academic adviser and the Graduate Admissions Committee.
- Courses taken outside of the LAW subject will not factor into the law GPA.
RESIDENCE
- Registration and physical presence as a student at the University of Wisconsin Law School for one academic year is required. The residence requirement may be reduced to one semester for students who have earned at least 11 credits through one or more of the following: a Law School approved exchange program, the Visiting International Student Program Law Thematic Track, University of Wisconsin Law School LL.M. Pathway courses, a reciprocal exchange of credits agreement between their home university and the Law School at the master’s level.
TERM FOR COMPLETION OF PROGRAM
- The program is normally to be completed within the residence period. An extension for up to two semesters can be granted with the approval of the Graduate Programs Committee.
- Programs may include up to 36 credits, but no candidate for the Master of Laws: Law: Course-Based shall be permitted to continue after the semester in which the candidate earns 36 credits.
AWARD OF DEGREE
- The granting of the degree shall be recommended to the Law School Dean on the approval of the satisfactorily completed program by the Graduate Programs Office and the Graduate Programs Committee.