Graduate Degree Programs

Law School > Graduate Programs for LL.M., M.C.L., S.J.D. Degrees > Admissions to Graduate Degree Programs

Admissions to Graduate Degree Programs

Students from the LLM Practicum class visit the Indiana Statehouse with Prof. Lisa Farnsworth (second from left) IU School of Law—Bloomington has provided outstanding legal education to international students for the past century in the beautiful and safe city of Bloomington, Indiana.

Our graduate degrees are:

Note: There are two law schools within the Indiana University system. The two LL.M. programs are not identical: The School of Law—Bloomington is located on the main campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The School of Law—Indianapolis is located on the combined campus of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Requirements

Undergraduate Requirement

Before you apply to any of the graduate programs at the School of Law, you must have received a bachelor's degree or its recognized equivalent from a college or university in the United States or abroad. If you received your undergraduate education outside the U.S., you should have a degree in law or a strong undergraduate concentration in legal coursework.

TOEFL Requirement

All applicants whose first language is not English must submit a TOEFL score. Most admitted students score a minimum of 560 (paper-based TOEFL) or 213 (computer-based TOEFL). Applicants with low TOEFL scores but otherwise excellent qualifications will also be considered.

How to Apply

Deadlines

LLM and MCL Application Deadline: There is no deadline. However, to be considered for financial aid and to allow time to apply for student visas, international students are encouraged to apply by March 1. The School usually notifies applicants of its decision six to eight weeks after the receipt of a completed application.

SJD and PhD Application Deadline: April 15.

Application

Students interested in our graduate programs leading to the LL.M., M.C.L., S.J.D. or Ph.D. degrees should follow the instructions for applying based on their U.S. residency status. Please be sure to complete the correct application to avoid delays in processing. You may download the application or request material directly from the Graduate Legal Studies Office.If you are unsure which application to complete or have any questions about the application process, please e-mail or call the School.

A complete application should include:

*Applicants to the LLM thesis and SJD programs are required to submit additional materials. The LL.M. with thesis, S.J.D., and Ph.D. in Law and Social Sciences programs at Indiana University are designed for students seeking teaching, academic, or research careers. Admission to the LL.M. with thesis program is typically granted only at the end of the first semester of work done at IU in the LL.M. (practicum) program. If you are interested in the LL.M. with thesis or doctoral programs,complete the Application for the Thesis and Doctoral Degrees form and submit it with your application materials. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for further information.

Indiana University does not accept any application materials through the LSAC LL.M. application service. The completed application should NOT be sent to the School of Law. The application must be signed, dated, and returned with the supporting materials to:

International Admissions
Indiana University—Bloomington
300 North Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405-1106
U.S.A.

International Students (non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident)

International students have two options for completing the application: online or mailing a paper copy. To fill out the application online, including paying the application fee by credit card, go here.

International students who cannot apply online must complete the International Graduate Application for admission. Print and complete the application (tell us which degree you seek on page 7, item 2), then mail it. If you are unable to download the application, contact the Graduate Legal Studies Office.

Domestic Students (U.S. citizen or permanent resident)

Domestic students may only complete the application online. In addition, if you already have a J.D. degree, you may only apply to the LL.M. thesis, S.J.D. program, or Ph.D. program, and must complete an additional form. If you have any questions, contact the Graduate Legal Studies Office.

Expenses and Financial Aid

U.S. immigration regulations require that applicants demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover living and educational expenses for a 12-month period. Most Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington graduate students find that the cost of their education is considerably less than comparable programs at private universities or a public schools in large cities. The School offers a limited number of fellowships. Applicants will automatically be considered for these fellowships, and will be notified if an award is made.

2007-2008 Tuition & Estimated Expenses for the LL.M. Program:

Expense Cost ($)
Tuition 33,154
Room and Board 11,700
Health Insurance 674
Miscellaneous Expenses 1,300
Total 46,828

Costs will vary slightly for the other graduate degrees. E-mail lgradadm@indiana.edu for more information.

For more information contact: