Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions—LLM Applicants
When is the application deadline?
The priority application deadline is January 31. Applications submitted after January 31 will be evaluated on a space available basis. LSU evaluates LLM files on a rolling admission basis. The earlier you complete your application for admission, the earlier you will receive a decision.
However, note that all LLM application must be submitted by March 1st. This is especially important for international applicants who require a student visa (final deadline).
If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, we may accept late applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, but after March 31, we urge you to call (or email) and speak with someone from our office to inquire if an application is still possible.
What is the application fee?
The application fee of $50 (U.S. funds only) must be paid through the LSAC online payment service (waived for applications submitted on or before January 31). This fee is nonrefundable.
How do I apply for admission?
Applicants must apply to the LSU Law Center and submit all materials through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC.org) and register with the LSAC Document Assembly Service (DAS). We only accept applications submitted through LSAC.
Can I submit a paper application?
No, we only accept applications submitted online through LSAC.
Does LSU Law offer a part time, evening, or online program?
No, we do not offer a part time, evening, or online LLM program. A part time program may be offered in the future. In the event you are interested, let us know.
Do you require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
We recommend that our applicants have a score of 100 on the TOEFL, but we require a minimum score of 90 (on the internet-based test). The LSU Law Center institution code is 6373.
Do you accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score instead of the TOEFL score?
Instead of the TOEFL, we accept the IELTS; we recommend a score of 7.5, but require a minimum score of 7.
Do you consider requests for waivers of the TOEFL requirement?
We do not require English language proficiency testing if an applicant is a native English speaker or if an applicant earned a degree from a university that has English as the language of instruction. You may apply for an English language test waiver by responding to a few questions within the LSAC application (section entitled “English Proficiency”).
All other applicants are required to have their official test score report sent to LSAC. Keep in mind that we may request a Skype interview to assess your English language proficiency.
If I do not meet the TOEFL or IELTS requirement, what can I do to improve my chances to be admitted at LSU?
Applicants who do not meet our TOEFL or IELTS requirements should consider taking an English as a Second Language (ESL) course to improve their language proficiency. If you have excellent academic credentials, but need to improve your English proficiency, you may be given conditional admissions if you register for an approved English as a Second Language (ESL) course. Note that LSU Law will only be able to remove the condition on admission once you meet our English Language requirement.
Can I request an in-person or a Zoom interview?
Our LLM Program Director and LLM Coordinator will be happy to meet with you to discuss LSU Law (or have a Zoom call). We do not have personal, evaluative interviews unless specifically requested by the admissions committee. Any information you would like to share with the committee should be included in your application for admission or in a separate addendum. Anyone interested in learning more about LSU Law’s LLM program may schedule an appointment by contacting llmadmissions@lsu.edu.
How much will an education at LSU Law cost per year?
The resident tuition and fees for the fall 2024 entering class was $19,750; for nonresidents, it was $35,190. We are expecting tuition to remain the same for the 2025-2026 academic year. However, tuition and fees are subject to change without advanced notice. For more information, see Tuition & Fees.
At LSU Law, most of our LLM students receive some form of financial assistance through merit based tuition and non-resident fee waivers. Our waiver awards have ranged from $1,000 to full tuition/non-resident fees waivers. The amount waived depends on the overall academic and professional strength of an applicant. Although financial need may be considered, waiver awards are primarily merit-based and are only extended to applicants who have excellent academic credentials. Only the very best applicants may be awarded a full waiver of tuition and fees.
As a result of these waivers, on average, the cost of tuition and fees paid by our LLM candidates is below $10,000 for the entire year. This makes our LLM one of the best value graduate legal studies programs in the U.S.
How do I apply for scholarships?
Applicants who are interested in scholarship assistance must respond to the questions in the “Financial” section of the LSAC application. Note that 100% of our fall 2024 incoming class received merit-based aid, with scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition.
What should I write about in my personal statement?
Personal statement including research interests, reason for pursuing advanced legal education, and your plans following the completion of the LLM degree. The personal statement is a good place to explain anything particular about your life experience and professional project.
Can I have my letters of recommendations sent by email?
The LSU Law Center requires three letters of recommendation (or two if you are nominated by your home university under a special program), but will accept up to four. Letters of recommendation received after a fourth letter will not be reviewed. Whenever you apply through a special program with a preselection by your home institution, as is the case with a few French universities, we will accept two letters of recommendation instead of three.
All letters must be in English. If this is not possible, you must submit a translated version and the original letter. We do not require that the translation be made and certified by an official translator. You may translate the letter yourself, with the understanding that you will also provide the original. Letters of recommendation must be sent through LSAC Letters of Recommendation (LOR) Service. Also, when using the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), remember to assign the letters of recommendation you want to be sent to the LSU Law Center.
How do students select and register for courses?
Students select and register for their courses during the first week of our August orientation. Each candidate’s program of study is arranged on an individual basis between the candidate and Prof. Olivier Moréteau, our Program Director., or Prof. Davrados, our Program Assistant Director. Prof. Moréteau and Prof. Davrados are happy to provide comprehensive course recommendations for students who are considering taking an American state bar exam after the LLM.
Course descriptions can be found in the LSU Law catalog (under Courses of Instruction).
How do I apply for a student visa?
Once admitted into our LLM program, our program manager will contact you and guide you through all of the steps required to obtain a student visa. As explained in the Cost of Living page of our website, you must have sufficient funds (personal or family) to cover all estimated expenses (minimum: $22,043) for the 10 months of studies at LSU. If you do not have the funds, it is unlikely that LSU will be able to help you obtain a student visa.
What if I need certified translations of transcripts or legal documents?
A new private translation service was created in Louisiana: here is the link to JurisLingua. They work with the French Consulate in New Orleans.
Frequently Asked Questions—LLM Admits
I am currently looking at plane tickets and planning to buy a return ticket to France (to go back during the holidays) as it is less expensive. The LSU Law Academic Calendar indicates three different dates: end of examinations, end of semester, and start of winter holidays. When is the best time to book my flight?
If you plan to fly back home at the end of the Fall Semester, do not buy a return ticket with a departure earlier than the first Tuesday following the last day of the scheduled examination period. Although our LSU Law Academic Calendar may show an “examination end” date, in the event that an exam is missed for sickness or other reasons, you will be given the opportunity to take the exam on the first Monday following the last date of the scheduled examination period. Having a plane ticket with a departure at an earlier date is no excuse for missing the “reschedule date” opportunity and you may be given no other chance to take the missed exam.
This policy also applies to the Spring Semester. As such, we ask that you take these dates into consideration prior to purchasing your return ticket. However, we encourage you to stay at least until a day after the graduation ceremony (Hooding Ceremony).
Prior to making travel arrangements, you should also consider the following:
- Commencement (also called Hooding Ceremony) is a special ceremony where you will be honored for your academic achievements. In the last few years, many students have opted to skip this event; this is unfortunate since they essentially missed out on the opportunity to celebrate a significant life milestone. A student who attended the ceremony once told me that her experience at Commencement was amazing and that she was very glad that she chose to stay a little bit longer.
- 60-Day Grace Period: For those of you who will be holders of F-1 visas, you have a 60-day grace period to leave the U.S. once your visa expires. Many students have taken this opportunity to travel within the U.S.
- LLM Employment: In addition, holders of a J-1 visa may work in the U.S. for up to 9 months and 26 days after graduation. The duration is of 12 months for F-1 visa holders. For more information, see the section of our website dedicated to LLM Employment. We will discuss this in detail during our orientation program.
What if I need certified translations of transcripts or legal documents?
A new private translation service was created in Louisiana: here is the link to JurisLingua. They work with the French Consulate in New Orleans.
