Eligibility and Admission Standards
Eligibility
LL.M., Executive LL.M., and J.S.D. Programs
A candidate for the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.), Executive Master of Laws (E-LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.) within the Graduate Division at New York University School of Law must hold the first degree in law (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school that is approved by the Section of Legal Education of the American Bar Association or a bachelor of laws degree from a non-U.S. law school approved by its foreign equivalent. Candidates who received their legal education from schools in Bologna-signatory countries must have academic credentials that permit them entry into legal practice; typically, three-year Bologna-compliant bachelor’s degrees alone are not sufficient to meet this standard. A J.S.D. candidate must also hold an accredited advanced law degree (LL.M. or equivalent) from a U.S. or foreign law school.
A prospective LL.M. or E-LL.M. applicant in his or her final year of study toward the first degree in law is eligible to apply only if he or she will complete all necessary requirements for the degree by the start date of the intended program (August for full-time programs in New York City, and early May for the dual-degree program in Singapore).
A prospective J.S.D. student who is currently enrolled in a graduate law degree program at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States (including NYU School of Law) or a non-U.S. law school approved by its foreign equivalent, and will have earned a graduate law degree prior to enrollment, may apply to the J.S.D. program for the Fall semester following the completion of the advanced degree.
A.P.C. in Taxation Program
A candidate for the Advanced Professional Certificate (A.P.C.) in Taxation must hold the first degree in law (J.D. or LL.B.) from a law school that is approved by the Section of Legal Education of the American Bar Association. A prospective applicant in his or her final year of study toward the first degree in law is eligible to apply only if he or she will complete all necessary requirements to receive the first degree in law by the start date of the certificate program. Applicants with a U.S. J.D. degree who already hold or are pursuing an LL.M. degree from an accredited law school may apply to the A.P.C. program. However, if admitted, they will still be required to complete prerequisites to gain access to more advanced classes, if applicable.
Standards of Admission
LL.M. and Executive LL.M. Programs
Admission to the Graduate Division for all LL.M. programs and the Executive LL.M. in Taxation is highly selective and is based primarily upon prior legal studies. Standards of admission are equal across all specializations and for study in New York City, in Singapore and online. Last year, the Law School received more than 2,700 full-time LL.M. applications for the various programs. The New York City class was about 425 students, and the Singapore class has averaged about 40 students annually for the last five years of the program. Though there are no inflexible rules about class rankings or grade point averages, those admitted have excellent law school records and strong academic and/or professional recommendations. Evidence of significant professional accomplishment is also taken into consideration.
Admission to the LL.M. or E-LL.M. program does not guarantee or assure admission to the J.S.D. program.
J.S.D. Program
The J.S.D. is NYU School of Law’s most advanced law degree. Only a very small number of students who demonstrate outstanding academic promise are admitted to J.S.D. candidacy. A student is admitted to the program only if he or she meets the application requirements and shows potential for completing a dissertation of publishable quality that will make a significant scholarly contribution to the field in which it is written. While the J.S.D. Committee exercises some preference for those who complete the LL.M. degree at NYU, it fully considers all applicants on the basis of their application materials regardless of provenance when finalizing admissions decisions. Typically all NYU LL.M. graduates must have attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50.
A.P.C. in Taxation Program
Academic admission criteria are comparable to those of the LL.M. and E-LL.M. in Taxation programs. Prospective students must demonstrate professional competence and career advancement.
Statement of Diversity
The Graduate Division of New York University School of Law is a community of remarkable diversity, enhancing the learning environment for all. Those who comprise our student body hail from around the world and bring with them a variety of experiences and viewpoints. Students are both the recipients and providers of the learning within our walls, and the Law School in turn has a vital interest in what they bring to the task of educating each other.
To select the most highly-talented, motivated and intelligent people to take on this task from a pool of well-qualified applicants, the Committee on Graduate Admissions welcomes applications for the LL.M., J.S.D. and Advanced Professional Certificate programs from all eligible persons. We are additionally committed to making appropriate academic accommodation for admitted students with disabilities.
We very much encourage you to take the opportunity to highlight how you will contribute to our global community of scholars in your application to our institution.
New York University is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its relations with its faculty, students, and staff members, without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability and any other legally protected basis.
Inquiries regarding the application of the federal laws and regulations concerning affirmative action and anti-discrimination policies and procedures at New York University may be referred to Jane Tylus, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Director for Equal Opportunity, New York University, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012.
Thomas Grace, Director for Judicial Affairs and Compliance, is the University's Title IX coordinator (equal opportunity without regard to gender), Title VI coordinator (equal opportunity without regard to race, color, or national origin), and Section 504 coordinator (equal opportunity for disabled persons) and may be contacted at New York University, Kimmel Center, 601 -E, 60 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012.