Masters in Law in USA for Indian Students: Top Universities, Fees, Scholarships

Masters in Law in the USA

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.

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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:

SpecializationsEnvironmental Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Taxation, Human Rights, Criminology
Course Duration9 months to 2 years
Course TypeFull-Time | Part-Time
Basic Admission RequirementsJuris 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 Salary135,740 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 2024Top UniversitiesProgram OfferedApplication DeadlineTuition Fees (USD)
#4Harvard UniversityMaster of LawDecember 1, 2023 (closed)77,100
#5Stanford UniversityMaster of LawFebruary 15, 2024 (closed)71,610
#10University of California, BerkeleyMaster of LawDecember 18, 2023 (closed)73,350
#11University of ChicagoMaster of LawFebruary 1, 2024 (closed)76,479
#12University of PennsylvaniaMaster of LawDecember 1, 2023 (closed)67,550
#16Yale UniversityMaster of LawDecember 1, 2023 (closed)74,044
#23Columbia UniversityMaster of LawDecember 21, 2023 (closed)78,444
#29University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)Master of LawFebruary 1, 202470,610
#33University of Michigan – Ann ArborMaster of LawJanuary 15, 202472,162
#38New York University (NYU)Master of LawDecember 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:

UniversityTuition Fee (USD)Tuition Fee (INR)
Texas A&M University18,80015.6 lakhs
University of Arizona26,00021.6 lakhs
University of Iowa26,28021.9 lakhs
University of Nebraska28,40023.6 lakhs
University of Maryland30,14225.1 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 UniversitiesTuition Fees (USD)Tuition Fees (INR)
Harvard University77,10064.2 lakhs
Stanford University71,61059.6 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley73,35061.1 lakhs
University of Chicago76,47963.7 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania67,55056.3 lakhs
Yale University74,04461.7 lakhs
Columbia University78,44465.3 lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)70,61058.8 lakhs
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor72,16260.1 lakhs
New York University (NYU)76,87864 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 USA1. 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 TypeAverage Annual Expense (USD)Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation16,07413 lakhs
Meals4,7523 lakhs
Transportation81067,400
Health Insurance4,1203 lakhs
Personal Expenses3,9783 lakhs
Total29,73424 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 ProfileAnnual Salary in USDAnnual Salary in INR
Lawyer96,80080.6 lakhs
Legal Advisor103,50086.2 lakhs
Legal Counsel140,0001.16 crore
Associate Attorney94,80079 lakhs
Legal Associate102,00085 lakhs
Legal Consultant87,40072.8 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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Kanishka Garg specializes in crafting informative content on study abroad education. Her passion lies in simplifying the journey for students through SEO-optimized articles and blogs. Kanishka's commitment to clear communication and her deep understanding of international admissions processes make her blogs essential for students aiming to gain insights into top universities worldwide. With Kanishka's blogs, students can confidently get solutions to the complexities of applying to their dream universities and achieve their academic aspirations abroad.

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