Students may apply for admission to either the fall term, which begins in August, or the spring term, which begins in January, and may apply to study either part-time or full-time (foreign-trained applicants should note, however, that student visas require full-time study). Please read all the information below before submitting your application.
When to Apply
Application Form
Supplemental Application Materials
Application Fees
Fall Admission
| Application Period Opens: |
Application Deadline: |
| September 1 |
March 1 |
Spring Admission
| Application Period Opens: |
Application Deadline: |
| June 1 |
October 1 |
Rolling Admissions Decisions
We review applications on a rolling basis, meaning that we review and make admissions decisions as we receive applications. Thus, applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Late Applications
We accept applications after the application deadline if space is available; however, applicants considering submitting a late application should be aware of course registration dates, typically in the beginning of June for the fall term and mid-October for the spring term. After the initial registration date, course selection may be limited as many classes close quickly due to enrollment limits. If you are admitted after the registration date, we will do our best to help you register for the courses that interest you, but cannot guarantee any course availability. For exact registration dates, please see the law school academic calendar.
Applicants may submit their application forms either online or by paper application, as described below.
Online Applications
LSAC
Online applications are accepted through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the online LSAC service. LSAC charges a fee for this service, which is in addition to our usual application fee (see "Application Fees" below). Applications for the following term(s) are currently accepted through LSAC:
Fordham Law LLM Electronic Application Form
Applicants who do not wish to use the LSAC online application service may submit a Fordham Law LLM Electronic Application Form. This form allows you to submit your basic application information directly to our office. Applicants should note that the electronic application form is just one part of the application process; applications will not be considered by the admissions committee until all materials are received. For complete list of the necessary application, please see the section on "Supplemental Application Materials" below.
Please note: You will be required to upload your Resume/CV and Personal Statement as part of this application. Please be sure you have both of these documents ready before starting this application, as you cannot save this application form and return to it later.
>> click here to access the Fordham Law LLM Electronic Application Form
Paper Applications
Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize one of the online application options. However, applicants who are unable to use the online application may download the PDF application and submit it along with all supporting credentials and the application fee by mail to the following address:
Fordham University School of Law
Master of Laws Program
140 West 62nd Street, Suite 405
New York, New York 10023
U.S.A.
The supplemental application materials listed below are required for all applicants (except as indicated). These materials may be submitted via LSAC (recommended) or sent to our office directly, each as described below.
Method of Submission
We strongly recommend that applicants submit their supplemental materials online using LSAC's Document Assembly Service. This service permits applicants to submit all supplemental materials to LSAC, which then forwards the materials to Fordham or other schools to which you are applying. This method is particularly useful to applicants who are applying to LL.M. programs at more than one law school, as it only requires you to submit official documentation once. For an additional cost of $125, foreign-trained applicants may also opt to take advantage of the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service, which evaluates foreign transcripts. This service is optional, but note that if you do not use this service, we require that foreign transcripts be accompanied by an explanation of the grading system.
Applicants who are unable or wish not to use LSAC's Document Assembly Service may submit all supplemental materials to our office at the following address:
Fordham University School of Law
Master of Laws Program
140 West 62nd Street, Suite 405
New York, New York 10023
U.S.A.
Required Materials
Except as noted below, all applicants must submit the following materials:
- TOEFL or ILEC results. All applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International Legal English Certificate (ILEC) unless they hold a degree from the United States, Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, or the United Kingdom. To demonstrate sufficient fluency on the TOEFL, applicants are expected to attain a score of 100 on the internet-based TOEFL, 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 600 on the paper-based TOEFL. For more information regarding test dates, testing centers and fees, visit http://www.ets.org/toefl. Our University TOEFL Code is 2264. To demonstrate sufficient fluency on the ILEC, applicants must attain a minimum score of 60. For more information on ILEC, visit www.legalenglishtest.org/.
- A sealed, official transcript from each college, university, graduate, and law school attended (regardless of whether the program was completed or a degree was awarded). You should confirm with each school that the transcript shows in detail your academic record (courses taken and grade received for each), degree(s) earned, and the date(s) awarded. An official ranking in the applicant's law faculty or law school must be provided, if available. If there is no official ranking, applicants must submit documentation that explains their school's grading system and academic record in relation to it. For all transcripts from a foreign institution or law school, you must also ensure that the transcript is in English and includes an explanation of the grading system. If your school does not provide an English translation of the transcript, a certified translation must be done by the consulate or by a professional agency. You may use the below transcript request form to assist in your acquisition of your transcript for our program.
LL.M. Transcript Request Form
- A 500-word personal statement describing your reasons for pursuing this graduate degree, where you plan to practice in five years, and the contributions you hope to make to the legal profession upon completion of the course of study.
- Two letters of recommendation. Each letter should be from someone who knows you well and can provide a candid personalized evaluation of your potential success in the graduate program. If possible, at least one letter should be from a law professor or law school dean. Each letter should be attached to a completed appraisal form, available below.
LL.M. Recommendation Request Form
- A current resume or curriculum vitae. Your resume or curriculum vitae should include your complete university educational experience, your complete employment history, and any additional academic or professional activities. Please also include any publications and presentations.
The application fee is $70. For applications submitted after the respective deadline, the fee is $100. This fee is neither refundable nor credited toward tuition or other charges.
If applying electronically through LSAC, you must pay the fee to LSAC using a major credit card. DO NOT make the payment on this website.
If you are applying via the Fordham Law LLM Electronic Application or a paper application, you may pay either:
- by bank draft or money order payable to Fordham Law School Graduate Program (must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank), or
- by credit card (please click here to pay by credit card).
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