Program Requirements

Each student is required to complete 24 credits of approved courses; the maximum number of credits permitted is 27.

U.S. & Comparative Law Courses

The 24-credit minimum must include the following Core Course:
  
    ● Introduction to the U.S. Legal Profession 
 
Students are also urged to take at least one course on a topic of Comparative Law.

Additional Required Courses

For students who do not hold a degree from a U.S. law school, the following courses are also required:

    ● Introduction to the U.S. Legal System 
    ● Legal Writing and Research for LL.M. Students  
    ● And at least 6 credits of "Content Outline" Courses*

Students are required to take Introduction to the U.S. Legal System and Legal Writing and Research for LL.M. Students during their first semester of study in the LL.M. program.

*Students who are admitted to the New York bar or who do not intend to sit for the New York bar may seek a waiver from the Introduction to the U.S. Legal Profession and Content Outline course requirements by submitting the online waiver request form available at law.fordham.edu/llmforms. 

Students beginning their programs prior to Fall 2012 are not required to take Introduction to the U.S. Legal Profession or the Content Outline courses and are exempt from taking Legal Writing and Research for LL.M. Students if they hold a first degree in law from a law faculty in the U.S., Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, North Ireland, South Africa, or the U.K. 

All Remaining Credits

The remaining credits required for graduation in the U.S. and Comparative Law program may be earned from among the wide range of courses open to LL.M. students; however, students enrolled in this program may not earn credits in more than one course related to international law without prior written approval.  Students may seek such approval by submitting a request using the online waiver request form available at law.fordham.edu/llmforms.