Last Updated on August 30, 2024
In the United States, a Masters in Law program is a postgraduate course of study for those with a law degree who wish to pursue additional legal education. The length of an Masters in Law in USA is roughly two years, and more than 200 universities offer it. It is also available as a remote learning program at some US universities.
Applicants must have at least 83–86% in their legal bachelor’s degree to be considered for admission to US master’s programs. The best LLM schools in USA charge tuition that ranges from 18,000 to 78,000 USD (15 to 65 lakhs INR) on average. Graduates can expect an average annual salary of 120,000 USD (1 crore INR) after graduation. This blog post will discuss the Master in Law in USA for Indian students in detail.
Key Highlights For Masters in Law in USA for Indian students
The key highlights for Masters in Law in USA for Indian students are as follows:
| Specializations | Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Taxation, Human Rights, Criminology |
| Course Duration | 9 months to 2 years |
| Course Type | Full-Time | Part-Time |
| Basic Admission Requirements | Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved US Law School or first degree (JD, LLB or equivalent) | Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 83% at bachelors level (varies with the university) | Minimum 2 to 3 years of work experience (depends upon university) |
| Course Fees (per annum) | 18,000 USD to 78,000 USD (15 to 65 lakhs INR) |
| Average Salary | 135,740 USD (1.13 crore INR) per annum |
Universities For Masters in Law in USA for Indian students
As per the QS News Ranking 2024, the top 10 universities for Masters in Law in USA that provide this program to international students are as follows:
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | Top Universities | Program Offered | Application Deadline | Tuition Fees (USD) |
| #4 | Harvard University | Master of Law | December 1, 2023 (closed) | 77,100 |
| #5 | Stanford University | Master of Law | February 15, 2024 (closed) | 71,610 |
| #10 | University of California, Berkeley | Master of Law | December 18, 2023 (closed) | 73,350 |
| #11 | University of Chicago | Master of Law | February 1, 2024 (closed) | 76,479 |
| #12 | University of Pennsylvania | Master of Law | December 1, 2023 (closed) | 67,550 |
| #16 | Yale University | Master of Law | December 1, 2023 (closed) | 74,044 |
| #23 | Columbia University | Master of Law | December 21, 2023 (closed) | 78,444 |
| #29 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Master of Law | February 1, 2024 | 70,610 |
| #33 | University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | Master of Law | January 15, 2024 | 72,162 |
| #38 | New York University (NYU) | Master of Law | December 20, 2023 (closed) | 76,878 |
Cheapest University for Masters in Law in USA for Indian Students
Here is the list of the cheapest universities for Masters in Law in USA are as follows:
| University | Tuition Fee (USD) | Tuition Fee (INR) |
| Texas A&M University | 18,800 | 15.6 lakhs |
| University of Arizona | 26,000 | 21.6 lakhs |
| University of Iowa | 26,280 | 21.9 lakhs |
| University of Nebraska | 28,400 | 23.6 lakhs |
| University of Maryland | 30,142 | 25.1 lakhs |
Requirements For Masters in Law in USA for Indian students
In USA, obtaining a Masters in Law in USA is a JD, LLB, or bachelor’s degree. The majority of US law schools have their application portal. December is often the deadline for Masters in Law in USA applications. Some universities provide rolling admissions to the students.
Below, we will be talking about a Masters in Law in USA eligibility criteria along with the documentation requirements.
Eligibility for Masters in Law in USA
The eligibility criteria that you need to follow for a Masters in Law in USA is given below. However, if you fail to meet any of the eligibility criteria then you can not take admission.
- First degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a foreign law school or Juris Doctor (JD) from a US law school accredited by the ABA
- The minimum GPA required for a bachelor’s degree is 83%, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (varies with the university)
- two to three years of minimum job experience, depending on the university
- Evidence of fluency in English
Documents Required for Masters in Law in USA
You must know the list of the documents that are required to for Masters in Law in USA. Below the checklist talks about the essential documents needed for Masters in Law in USA admission.
- 10th, 12th, and graduation thesis
- Evaluation of external documents by LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- At least 2 letters of recommendation
- Essay on university questions
- curriculum vitae (CV)
- The necessary English skills, TOEFL (iBT): 100, IELTS: 7.0
- The American student visa
Masters in Law in USA for Indian Students Cost
The university’s tuition costs determine the total cost of living in USA for any program, the cost of living in the area where the university is located, and the student’s lifestyle. Thus, it can be divided into two categories: tuition fees and cost of living in the United States.
Masters in Law in USA for Indian Students Tuition Fees
The tuition fees in top universities for Masters in Law in USA are given below:
| Top Universities | Tuition Fees (USD) | Tuition Fees (INR) |
| Harvard University | 77,100 | 64.2 lakhs |
| Stanford University | 71,610 | 59.6 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | 73,350 | 61.1 lakhs |
| University of Chicago | 76,479 | 63.7 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 67,550 | 56.3 lakhs |
| Yale University | 74,044 | 61.7 lakhs |
| Columbia University | 78,444 | 65.3 lakhs |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 70,610 | 58.8 lakhs |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | 72,162 | 60.1 lakhs |
| New York University (NYU) | 76,878 | 64 lakhs |
Popular Specializations for Masters in Law in USA
The USA offers a variety of specializations for LLM degrees, allowing students to become experts in the legal field of their choice. Popular LLM specializations among Indian students include the following:
| Popular Specializations for Masters in Law in USA | 1. Constitutional Law, 2. Corporate Law, 3. Intellectual Property Law, 4. International Law, 5. Environmental Law, 6. Tax Law, 7. Human Rights Law, 8. Criminal Law, 9. Health Law, 10. Labour and Employment Law, 11. Immigration Law, 12. Energy Law, 13. Cybersecurity and Privacy Law, 14. Family Law, 15. Entertainment and Media Law, 16. Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, 17. Securities Law, 18. Banking and Finance Law, 19. Technology Law, 20. Administrative Law |
Cost of Living in USA
Housing in the United States accounts for most of an international student’s cost of living. On-campus living is more convenient than off-campus housing, yet most universities have limited space available. Other expenses include meal plans, transportation, health insurance, etc.
| Expense Type | Average Annual Expense (USD) | Cost for Indian Students (INR) |
| Accommodation | 16,074 | 13 lakhs |
| Meals | 4,752 | 3 lakhs |
| Transportation | 810 | 67,400 |
| Health Insurance | 4,120 | 3 lakhs |
| Personal Expenses | 3,978 | 3 lakhs |
| Total | 29,734 | 24 lakhs |
Scholarships for Master in Law in USA
Due to the high cost of education, international students choose scholarships in USA to avoid the fees. Although the Masters in Law in USA is a 9-10 month course program, students need a scholarship to complete the course quickly. Common scholarships in the US and their amounts are listed below:
- Harvard Financial Aid: Up to 50% off tuition
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: Scholarship to cover tuition and related expenses, Living allowance, and travel allowance
- American Association of University Women (AAUW): $20,000
Job Opportunities after Masters in Law in USA for Indian Students
Newly graduated law enforcement officers in the US can try the Occupational Training Program (OPT). LLM students must apply for this training at least 6 months before completing the degree. The duration of OPT is 12 months. The most popular jobs available in the US for graduates with an LLM degree are:
| Job Profile | Annual Salary in USD | Annual Salary in INR |
| Lawyer | 96,800 | 80.6 lakhs |
| Legal Advisor | 103,500 | 86.2 lakhs |
| Legal Counsel | 140,000 | 1.16 crore |
| Associate Attorney | 94,800 | 79 lakhs |
| Legal Associate | 102,000 | 85 lakhs |
| Legal Consultant | 87,400 | 72.8 lakhs |
Final Insights!!
Masters in Law (LLM) programs in USA are two-year postgraduate courses offered by over 200 universities. Applicants must have a legal bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 83-86%. The best LLM schools charge tuition ranging from 18,000 to 78,000 USD. Indian students can choose from specializations in Environmental Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Taxation, Human Rights, and Criminology. Top 10 LLM universities include Harvard, Stanford, University of California, Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, and New York University.
FAQs
Can Indians do Masters in Law in USA?
Yes, Indian students can pursue an Masters in Law in USA. They need to meet the eligibility requirements, including having a law degree and obtaining a student visa for their studies.
How much does an LLM cost for Indian students in the US?
An masters in Law in USA typically costs between USD 20,000 and USD 60,000 annually. For Indian students, this translates to approximately ₹15 lakhs to ₹45 lakhs, depending on the university.
Who is eligible for LLM in the US?
Eligibility for an LLM in the US generally requires a law degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Some programs may also need work experience or additional qualifications.
Can Indian students do LLB in USA?
Indian students typically cannot pursue an LLB in USA as the LLB is not a standard degree in the US legal education system. Instead, they can pursue a JD (Juris Doctor), which is the equivalent professional degree.
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