The Office of International Programs is ready to assist the UConn Law community in all facets of the law school's many international activities. Whether it is welcoming international students or visiting scholars, introducing our J.D. candidates to the world of international legal study and practice, or enriching the life of the UConn Law community through international lectures and symposia, the Office of International Programs is here to serve. Find out more by reading the answers to frequently asked questions and learn who we are by consulting our staff directory.
Here are the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why study at UConn Law?
Individualized attention, integration with US law students, an extensive and flexible program of study, reasonable costs, and an outstanding faculty and location are just a few aspects that foreign students can expect of UCONN Law.
- What is life like at UConn Law?
Located on a beautiful, collegiate, gothic campus in a pleasant neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut’s capital city, UConn Law School is within two hours of New York, Boston, New Haven, Providence, ski mountains, and the seashore.
- How big is the program?
Approximately 20-30 students per academic year participate in the program.
- Who is the program suited for?
The LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies is designed for international lawyers who would like to get a thorough understanding of U.S. laws and legal institutions, and who would like to experience the U.S. culture.
- What does the program cost?
A detailed breakdown can be found here.
- How long is the program?
The program is designed for 2 semesters. Some students opt to finish it in 3 semesters.
- Does UConn Law offer spring admission?
Yes, we are one of the few LLM programs in the United States that offer spring admissions.
- Does UConn Law offer conditional admission?
Yes. If your TOEFL or IELTS score is below our required minimum, you may be considered for conditional acceptance. The acceptance would be contingent upon satisfactory TOEFL/IELTS score.
- Are LL.M. U.S. Legal Studies students required to have health insurance coverage while at UConn Law?
Yes. Students are automatically enrolled in the university’s health insurance program unless the student opts out and provides proof of sufficient coverage.
- Is financial aid available?
UCONN Law offers a limited number of merit based scholarships for international students. All matriculated students are considered for these awards. Typically, the scholarships only cover a small portion of tuition costs and fees.
Also, U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please contact UCONN Law’s Student Finance Office for more information.
- How does the admissions process work?
Applications may be submitted on a continual basis. After receipt of complete application, the admissions committee will review application and conduct an interview with promising applicants (telephone or Skype). Usually, two weeks after the interview the admissions committee will make a decision.
- Who is eligible?
Applicants must hold a first law degree from a law school outside the United States. The only exception relates to judges. In legal systems where a person can become a judge without having studied law (such as Turkey and France), the missing educational qualification can be cured if the applicant went through a judicial training period of at least two years and has been working as full-fledged judge for at least one year.
- When should I apply?
You should apply as early as possible. Usually, students apply as early as December for fall enrollment and July for spring.
- What is the application deadline for the LL.M. program?
For fall it is June 1 and for spring it is November 15, but because applications are considered on a rolling basis, later applications may be considered.
- What are the admissions requirements?
Please visit our application instruction page for detailed information.
- What are the requirements for the legal writing sample?
The legal writing sample should be between two and five pages long. It could be an excerpt of a longer essay you wrote during your first law degree or a memo you wrote while working as a practicing jurist or intern. The writing sample should reflect your ability to analyze legal issues.
- What are the exceptions to the TOEFL/IELTS requirement?
Please visit our application instructions page for detailed information.
- Do I need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?
No, you do not.
- What is the Law School Credential Assembly (LSAC) service and should I register for it?
We strongly recommend that international applicants register with LSAC. This service collects and authenticates the academic records and TOEFL scores of international applicants and sends reports to participating LL.M. programs to which these applicants have applied.
- How can I pay the application fee?
If you apply through LSAC, you would pay the fee directly to LSAC. Otherwise, students send us checks, travelers check or international money orders payable to UCONN Law.
- Do you grant application fee waivers?
The application can be waived in some circumstances.
- How do I submit an application for admission to the LL.M. program?
You can apply either through LSAC or by emailing all required documents to gradstudies@law.uconn.edu.
- When will admission decisions be made?
Admission decisions are made typically two weeks after receipt of a complete application.
- Are admission interviews conducted?
Typically, admission interviews are conducted.
- I am admitted. What happens next?
You have to fill out the notice of intention (which will be sent to you along with the acceptance letter) and send us the seat deposit.
- I am admitted but would like to defer. Is that possible?
You can defer the start of your program if you pay the seat deposit.
- I am not granted admission into the program. Can I re-apply?
Yes, we encourage you to apply again.
- How can I pay the seat deposit?
The seat deposit can be paid through different methods. Please contact the Student Finance staff for a full list of payment options.
- When should I arrive in Hartford?
We recommend that you arrive at least one week before the start of your classes.
- How many credits do I need to complete the program?
You need at least 24 credits to graduate from the LL.M. program in U.S. Legal Studies.
- What are the mandatory courses?
The two mandatory courses are U.S. Law and Legal Institutions and U.S. Law and Legal Institutions: Research/Writing.
- What are the areas of specialization?
Currently, we have four areas of specialization: Insurance, International Human Rights, Intellectual Property, and Tax.
- What is the difference between clinics, seminars, and lectures?
Clinics are programs that allow students to gain practical experience in working on different cases, seminars are small, discussion-based classes and lectures are larger classes where the professor shares his or her knowledge on the subject matter with the students.
- Is there a writing requirement and how can it be fulfilled?
Yes, there is a writing requirement for LL.M. students. Please visit our degree requirements page for detailed information.
- What types of career services are available to LL.M. students?
UCONN Law provides resume workshops, individual help with drafting resumes and personal statements. Network opportunities are provided as well.
- Can I practice law in the U.S. after obtaining my LL.M. degree?
Yes, provided you become a member of a state bar (such as New York or California).
- Could you tell me more about the New York Bar examination?
Please visit our student portal for more information .
- Can I transfer to the J.D. program and what are the requirements?
Yes. For more information please visit our page on JD/LLM Transfers.
- How can I apply to UCONN Law’s international exchange program?
For detailed application information, please contact the International Programs Office.
- I am accepted in UCONN LAW’s international exchange program. What happens next?
You will be contacted by your international student advisor.
- What are the requirements for the SJD program?
Please visit our SJD website for detailed information.
- I am accepted into the SJD program. What happens next?
You will be contacted by your international student advisor.
- How is housing handled?
The International Programs office has good relationships with many people who rent houses to international students. Please email your international student advisor for more information on housing and how to obtain a place to stay before you get here. If you would like to find a place to live after you get here, you should talk to the International Programs office about staying in a hotel nearby.
- What kind of support do International students receive?
UCONN Law provides you with a vast array of support. You will receive help with finding housing, getting settled, you will be provided with individual course counseling and with networking opportunities.
- What social activities take place?
Both the International Programs office and the Student Services plan social activities open to all students throughout the year. There is an events calendar posted on the UCONN Law School website, and you will be given a calendar with optional events during orientation.
- Can I work during my studies?
UConn’s Immigration Services Department can help you with any questions on what type of work is authorized under your visa.
- Can I participate in student groups?
Yes. You are strongly encouraged to actively participate in student groups. This vastly enriches your law school experience.
- Are there other activities available in the Hartford area?
The Hartford area contains many riches in cultural, recreational and educational resources. For example, the Wadsworth Athenaeum is the oldest public art museum in the United States and the Hartford Symphony performs regularly at the Bushnell Memorial Hall. The region also offers many opportunities to see live performances and has a wealth of wonderful restaurants.
Peter Lindseth has been director of International Programs since 2012. In that capacity, he oversees the Law School's U.S. Legal Studies LL.M., S.J.D., and faculty and student exchange programs. Professor Lindseth is a specialist in comparative public law and legal history with emphasis on the administrative state and European integration. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from Cornell and a Ph.D. in European history from Columbia.
In his combined role as director of graduate programs and executive director of the Insurance Law Center, Peter Kochenburger supervises all aspects of the law school's graduate degree programs: the LL.M. in Insurance, the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies, and the Doctor of Laws (S.J.D.). He is the primary contact for graduate law students with questions about their academic program. Professor Kochenburger holds a B.A. from Yale and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Carrie Field is the primary contact for all individuals inquiring about the LL.M. program in U.S. Legal Studies as well as applicants and newly-admitted students to the program. She is also the contact for students interested in international exchange programs, whether as outbound UConn Law students or as inbound international students from UConn Law's many exchange partners. Carrie additionally coordinates the visiting scholars program and, in conjunction with the Storrs campus, provides all international visitors with immigration support. Carrie earned her J.D. at UConn Law in 2007, was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in November 2007 and practiced at Pullman & Comley, LLC until joining the Law School in July of 2013.
Yan Hong, as Director of Graduate Admissions, works to develop and implement the graduate admissions strategies to attract a highly qualified and diverse student body to assure continued academic excellence at UConn Law and the enrichment of the legal profession. Yan manages and performs various tasks related to the admissions program, ranging from counselling prospective students, recruiting and admitting students during all phases of the admissions cycle. Yan Hong received her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Brigham Young University and her B.A. from Sichuan International Studies University in China.
Pat Carbray is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Office of International Programs and Insurance Law Center. She processes applications for the LL.M. and S.J.D. programs, coordinates the distance learning program, facilitates immigration documents, and assists students with many matters during their program. Pat also organizes symposia and many other events throughout the year. She received her associates in science degree from Bryant College in 1976.
