Program Requirements

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) for foreign students at Syracuse University College of Law is a 24-credit hour graduate program designed to offer students with a foreign (non-U.S.) law degree or its equivalent, advanced study in American law.

This program is exclusively available to graduates in law from foreign academic institutions or those who are otherwise licensed to practice law in their home jurisdictions. We seek people from diverse legal backgrounds, including corporate, government, private practice, judicial and academic.

In this one-year residential program, each student will take two basic foundational courses together. One to introduce the students to basics of the American Legal system and a second in Legal Writing with a third required research seminar of their choice. The remainder of the program allows the student to tailor their own experience in the LL.M. from among the superb and diverse courses offered at the College.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will develop knowledge of United States constitutional statutory, regulatory, and common law.

2. Graduates will analyze and apply principles of law and legal reasoning.

3. Graduates will research, write and communicate effectively about the law.

4. Graduates will appreciate the important roles lawyers play and recognize the impact of law on people and institutions.

Performance Criteria

1-a. Demonstrate a basic understanding in the courses that are required of all LL.M. students

1-b. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theories, historical development, and application of United States law and its legal system

2-a. Identify the key facts, issues, reasoning, holdings, assumptions and policies that underlie judicial decisions and independently critique them

2-b. Determine the applicable legal rules from multiple sources of law and seek to reconcile any competing principles

2-c. Reflect on the differences among the legal principles and processes of diverse legal systems and cultures

3-a. Find governing law and relevant secondary sources

3-b. Listen actively and be respectful in their professional interactions

3-c. Explain legal issues understandably

3-d. Write accurate and well-organized law-related documents

4-a. Identify and resolve ethical issues consistent with the United States legal profession’s ethical standards

4-b. Recognize differing perspectives in resolving legal issues

4-c. Recognize various roles lawyers play in a global society