Eligibility & Admission Standards

Applicants for admission to the LL.M. program must have completed a regular curriculum at an accredited college and/or law school, and must hold a professional degree from a law school by the time they begin the LL.M. program at Berkeley Law. Degrees that meet this requirement vary by country but generally include J.D., LL.B., and Bachelor of Laws. We generally abide by LSAC’s LL.M. eligibility guidelines; follow the link below for more information. Applicants who hold a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school are eligible to apply.

Click here to review the minimum degree requirements by country

Duplication of Degree Policy

According to our Admissions Policies, applicants who have already graduated with an LL.M. from a U.S. law school will not be considered for admission. Admitted students may not graduate with an LL.M. from another U.S. law school before beginning our LL.M. program.

Students who enroll in the LL.M. executive track two summer option may not graduate with an LL.M. from another U.S. law school during the academic year in between the summer semesters.

Applicants who have earned an LL.M. degree from outside of the United States are welcome to apply.

English Language Requirement

Although we do not expect all students who are not native English speakers to be perfectly fluent in English, a student with serious language limitations will have great difficulty coping with the demands of a new cultural, social and academic environment.

The university and the law school require official score reports of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) before admitting an applicant whose primary language is not English. The minimum score required is 100 on the TOEFL Internet-based test, 600 on the TOEFL paper-based test, or 7.0 on the IELTS. For further details on the English language requirement, including how to request a waiver, please go to the Application Checklist page.

Application Evaluation

Berkeley Law enrolls a student body that is diverse, consisting of students from over 50 countries around the world. We seek to admit students who have the highest standards or professional excellence and integrity; who will bring vision, creativity, and commitment to their professional endeavors; and who will contribute to the learning environment of the law school by sharing their unique perspectives.

In evaluating LL.M. applicants, substantial consideration is given to grades and English language exam scores. We also consider personal statements, letters of recommendation, legal experience, and other significant professional achievements.

**Berkeley Law does not have a minimum GPA requirement or a work requirement for LL.M. applications. We do not require or accept the LSAT or GRE.