Summer LL.M. Degree (for International Students)
Accelerated Summer LL.M. Program for International Students
Berkeley Law is pleased to introduce its Summer LL.M. program. In this program, international students will earn an LL.M. degree by attending classes over the course of two consecutive summers. The program is concentrated to allow international students to acquire an LL.M. in just two 10 week summer semesters. It is ideally suited for individuals who are already employed and able to take shorter leaves from their careers and home.
Courses
Summer courses are intensive, three to four weeks in duration, and offered in sequence. Completion of this program should allow students to meet all educational requirements to sit for the California Bar Exam. A minimum of 21 units is required for completion of the LL.M. degree. Course offerings for the two summer terms are as follows:
Initial summer term:
Students study the structure of the U.S. court system, learn the concepts of judicial review, federalism, the Supremacy Clause, and federal pre-emption, and the practical and political limitations of these concepts. The sources of U.S. law are discussed and case law analysis and statutory construction are explained. Students furthermore learn how cases progress through the American court system. Students then use their newly developed case analysis skills to examine landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases. This course is graded and requires a comprehensive final examination.
Second summer term:
In this class, each student researches and writes a 15 to 20 page research memorandum addressing a compelling issue in contemporary law. Through this writing exercise students learn predictive legal reasoning. Students also complete other, shorter assignments throughout the term, including an introduction to Bluebook citation. Research instruction is integrated into the writing assignments, and includes mainly on-line but also a few traditional book-based resources. Students receive extensive written comments and attend one-on-one conferences on their papers. This course is graded.
See the courses page for more information about courses offered at Berkeley Law.
Costs
Tuition for the summer LL.M. program is roughly the same as the Academic Year LL.M. program tuition. Please note, however, that precise fee levels change each year. Because this program does not distinguish between in or out-of-state fees, there are no discounts for California residents. Financial aid is not available to Summer LL.M. program participants at this time.
See our costs page for more information.
Admission Requirements
Please see our admissions page for information on admission requirements.
Visas
An admitted international student will normally come to the United States on an F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa. After you have been accepted and submitted your deposit, you will need to verify your funding for the academic year by returning a completed Confirmation of Financial Resources form to the Berkeley International Office. Once this form has been processed, you will receive a "Certificate of Eligibility" (I-20 or DS 2019) document to present at a U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa.Timeline
The Summer LL.M. term runs from mid-May to the end of July, and enrollment in two consecutive summer terms is required. Students enrolled in the Summer LL.M. Program may only take summer term law classes.
2010-2011 Summer LL.M. Program Timeline (tentative)
|
2009 |
August 1 | Deadline to submit application for 2010-2011 Summer LL.M. program |
| September | Admissions decisions to be announced | |
|
2010 |
May 21 | Orientation |
| May 24 | Instruction begins for 10 week term | |
| July 30 | End of summer term | |
|
2011 |
May 20 | Check-in |
| May 23 | Instruction begins for 10 week term | |
| July 29 | End of summer term |
To Apply
See the Application Forms & Deadline page to apply.
