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University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
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USA
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About
Founded in 1949, UCLA School of Law has garnered a reputation for artful teaching, influential scholarship and enduring innovation. As the first public law school in Southern California and the youngest top-ranked law school in the United States, UCLA Law has consistently pushed new boundaries in the study and practice of law.
Over the decades, UCLA Law has developed a depth and breadth of academic offerings unsurpassed by any other law school in the nation. Our Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy is among the best anywhere. We are one of four among the top 20 law schools with a specialization in Business Law and Policy – and the only one to offer a specialization in Critical Race Studies.
UCLA Law’s faculty also has emerged as one of the most influential nationwide. Our professors are leading scholars in areas including bankruptcy, corporate law, constitutional law, critical race theory, entertainment law, environmental law, intellectual property and tax law.
We take pride in these achievements and recognize that the strength of UCLA Law is a direct result of the superlative work of our faculty and staff, the talents of our diverse and academically gifted student body, and the accomplishments and unstinting generosity of our alumni. By building on past successes, UCLA Law continues to propel the school, students, faculty and alumni into a future of unparalleled distinction.
Programs (1)
University Rankings (16)
The UCLA Law Difference
UCLA Law is a cut above: a known trailblazer, an honored institution, and renowned as a place for tomorrow’s leaders.
Recognized as one of the finest institutions of legal education in the United States, our strength is rooted in a tradition of access, excellence, innovation and service. Since 1949, UCLA School of Law has been recognized as one of the top law schools in the nation and the world. We’ve been in the vanguard of establishing impactful programs and centers, and launching initiatives that are the first of their kind.
UCLA Law has been committed to the integration of theory and practice since the 1970s. Our clinics were among the first to teach students systematically about the link between doctrinal mastery and practical skills, and to this day we offer an extraordinary array of simulated transaction courses and live-client clinics that cover everything from mergers and acquisitions to workers’ rights and environmental law.
Today, the UCLA Law alumni community is more than 15,000 strong and extends around the world. Alumni live and practice in virtually every state, the District of Columbia, multiple U.S. territories and more than 50 foreign nations. Our graduates excel in their chosen fields, from private practice to business to government to public interest and beyond.
Admissions Policy
General Policy
UCLA School of Law seeks to admit students of outstanding intellectual ability who will bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to the classroom and the legal profession. Through long experience, the faculty has concluded that the quality of the education of each student is affected in significant ways by the presence of vital, diverse viewpoints. Indeed, students of all backgrounds choose to come to UCLA in significant part because of UCLA Law's outstanding achievements in creating a highly diverse educational environment.
In evaluating each applicant, UCLA Law places substantial weight on traditional measures of academic ability. For the J.D. Program those include grades and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. For the LL.M. Program, the focus is on academic performance and English language proficiency in the form of the TOEFL or IELTS exams. We also recognize in our evaluation that other factors and attributes contribute greatly to a person's ability to succeed as a law student and lawyer. When assessing academic promise and achievement, the applicant's entire file will be considered, including economic, physical or other challenges that have been overcome, scholarly achievements such as graduate study, awards and publications, the rigor of the undergraduate educational program undertaken, and letters of recommendation.
UCLA Law also considers attributes that may contribute to assembling a diverse class. We place special emphasis on socioeconomic disadvantage in our evaluation. We also consider work experience and career achievement; community or public service; career goals (with particular attention paid to the likelihood of the applicant working for underrepresented communities); significant hardships overcome; the ability to contribute to law school programs and specializations; evidence of and potential for leadership; language ability; unusual life experiences; and, any other factors (except those factors deemed inadmissible by applicable law) that indicate the applicant may significantly diversify the student body or make a distinctive contribution to UCLA Law or the legal profession. Many of the subjects we address on the application help us to assess the non-numeric aspects of the applicant's achievements that may also contribute to the strength of our educational environment and to the quality and leadership potential of our graduates.
UCLA Law has, as one of its central purposes, the training of attorneys who will attain high levels of professional excellence and integrity, and who will exercise civic responsibility in myriad ways over long careers.
Course of Study
UCLA offers three academic degree programs: the J.D. (Juris Doctor), LL.M. (Master of Laws), and S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science). The J.D. entails three years of full-time coursework towards the degree. The LL.M. is a one-year (nine-month), full-time course of study degree program. The S.J.D. (doctoral) degree requires one year of coursework in residence at the law school, and two years of research and work on a dissertation, for a program of three years in duration. Evening, summer, and part-time programs are not offered. Applicants for admission to the Juris Doctor professional degree, must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college of approved standing before they begin their work at the School of Law. Applicants for admission to the Master of Laws program must have received an undergraduate or first law degree, such as a J.D., LL.B., or other equivalent foreign first law degree prior to beginning coursework at the law school. Eligible applicants for admission to the Doctor of Juridical Science program should hold or obtain both a first/undergraduate law degree and a master of laws degree prior to commencing their studies at the law school.
Deferred Enrollment
UCLA Law reviews deferral requests on a case-by-case basis. All deferral requests must be made in writing. Admitted students whose deferral requests are denied and who decline to attend after being admitted must reapply if they wish to be considered for admission in a subsequent year.
LL.M Application
The application for admission to the 2017-2018 LL.M. Program is now available. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2017.
1. Creating Your Online Application
To apply for admission to the UCLA School of Law LL.M. Program, prospective applicants must submit an application and supporting documents through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Document Assembly Service. Instructions for creating an LSAC LL.M. CAS account – which requires a one-time fee of $85 – are provided in the “Creating Your Online Application” section of our website. UCLA’s separate $75 application fee has been waived for all applicants to our LL.M. Program. Applications are accepted from October through February, and applicants should submit the required supporting documents outlined on the LSAC LL.M. Checklist throughout this period.
Transmission of the LSAC Document Assembly Service report that will be sent to UCLA for consideration for admission requires an additional $30 fee (which is charged by LSAC per institution). Please note, however, that LL.M. applicants are not required to register for the LSAC CAS LL.M. International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation service, which costs an additional $135. Nonetheless, you are welcome to register for the evaluation service, which may result in faster processing of your application and the Graduate Studies Committee's announcement of its admission decision.
Domestic applicants: Please note that LSAC’s LL.M. CAS Document Assembly Service is separate from the LSAC service through which you previously applied to J.D. programs. As such, you must create a new LSAC LL.M. account, which cannot be linked to your previous J.D. account.
2. Submitting Your Supporting Documents
After creating your LSAC account and beginning your online application, please submit the following materials to LSAC:
- Current Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
A list of academic qualifications and relevant work experience.
- Personal Statement
A 12-point font, double-spaced, three-page or less description of your objectives in pursuing graduate legal studies at UCLA.
- Official Transcripts
One copy of each transcript for all undergraduate and graduate coursework leading to a degree – inclusive of law degree(s) – outlining courses taken and corresponding grades received, with supplemental English translations from a translation service, as applicable. Provide separate supplemental class rank certifications or letters if available. LSAC provides detailed transcript submission instructions online.
- Two to Four Letters of Recommendation
Letters of reference should come from knowledgeable persons who can attest to your academic qualifications, career interests, and professional capacity and performance. The Graduate Studies Committee strongly recommends submitting at least one academic reference; letters from academic sources are typically viewed more favorably. LSAC provides detailed recommendation letter submission instructions online.
- Official TOEFL Score
International applicants who are not native English speakers, or do not hold a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English, must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. Learn about or register for the TOEFL via ETS, and indicate LSAC’s institution code (8395) when requesting that your TOEFL score be submitted to LSAC. LSAC provides detailed TOEFL score submission instructions online. Domestic applicants and international applicants whose native language is English (or who have earned a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English) are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
3. Confirming Your Application Status
After you submit your online application through the LSAC website, and your complete LL.M. Credential Assembly Service report is available on the LSAC website, our staff will download these materials and assemble your application file. Due to the large volume of applications received, this process generally takes 1-2 weeks. After that time, our staff will email you to confirm that your application is complete.
4. Receiving Your Admission Result
The Graduate Studies Committee will begin reviewing an application after all of its corresponding supporting documentation has been received. Admission results will be announced on a rolling basis from late January through April. (Due to the large volume of applications received, it is difficult to predict when a decision regarding a specific application will be reached.) Applicants will receive an email from Vic Telesino, Director of Graduate Admissions, informing them of the Committee's decision as soon as it is made, and an official letter will follow by post.
Tuition & Visa
Tuition
Listed below are the official fees for attendance in the 2016-2017 LL.M. Program.
Tuition: $54,932.92
Health Insurance: $3,642.08
Mandatory Health Facilities Fees: $238.00
Total: $58,813.00
All fees are charged to students in two equal installments, with the first installment due in mid-August and the remainder due in mid-December. Alternatively, students may enroll in the BruinPay Plan to pay tuition and fees in monthly installments. Additionally, the university estimates that a student can expect to incur living expenses of approximately $20,000 for the year. This estimate varies by student depending upon expenditures on housing, food, books, etc.
Please note: Tuition costs are identical for both international and domestic students. Due to the manner in which the program is classified by the University of California, residents of California are not eligible for discounted tuition.
LL.M. students may pursue financial aid resources to help supplement the cost of attendance.
The Withdrawal Refund Chart is a refund schedule for enrolled students who choose to withdraw from the program.
Visa Information
If you accept UCLA's offer of admission, the UCLA Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars will provide instructions regarding how to apply for an I-20 form online, the necessary documentation required to obtain the I-20, and guidance on the process for making an appointment with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for the F-1 student visa (which is usually required for travel to the United States for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents).
Financial Aid
At UCLA Law, we believe a legal education should be accessible to any student with the talent and drive to be admitted to our school. Our administrators are committed to helping admitted and prospective students explore resources tailored to their unique needs.
UCLA School of Law administrators can help students investigate financial aid opportunities including:
- Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships
- Job Opportunities and Earned Aid
- Educational Loans
- U.S. Veteran Yellow Ribbon Program
Our Students
We’re proud that some of the nation’s most diverse, intelligent and promising students call UCLA School of Law their home.
Different Backgrounds, Same Passion
UCLA Law’s commitment to fostering diversity, collegiality and an openness to new ideas is reflected in our students, who come from all over the United States and the world, each with a unique life story. Selected from thousands of applicants every year, students are expected to uphold the school’s high standards and embrace their full potential. And they do, going on to receive prestigious awards and fellowships in every area of study, from business law to public interest, from moot court to transactional meets.
Student Organizations
Our more than 50 student organizations offer many opportunities for students to engage with the diverse community of Los Angeles, build connections with practicing lawyers and potential employers, and form lifelong bonds with their peers.
Student organizations host lively debates, meaningful community service activities, and stimulating social events. UCLA Law students benefit from immersive learning experiences and valuable networking opportunities. View our comprehensive list of UCLA Student Organizations online.
Diversity, Inclusion & Learning Environment
UCLA Law's Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our role as a leading public law school in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Some of our specific goals include creating a more inclusive law school community; engaging in critical discourse about legal and social issues within the law which are often avoided or suppressed; developing professional identity; and enhancing cultural sensibility to equip students with the tools necessary to effectively practice in an increasingly diverse world. We accomplish these goals by bringing together members of the law school community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to consider meaningful issues. Our collaborative approach is designed to appeal to students, faculty, staff and alumni through a variety of platforms.
Campus & Services
UCLA Campus
UCLA Law is nestled in a stunning campus – a celebrated landmark in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. As the home of a world renowned university with more than 40,000 students, the UCLA campus offers students a wealth of opportunities to discover their potential and explore their dynamic surroundings.
From getting you to your favorite yoga class to getting you out and about in the city, we are committed to inspiring every student to thrive.
Key Student Interest Areas
Other Important UCLA Services & Resources
Law Reviews & Journals
UCLA Law is home to a dozen student-edited journals packed with critical analyses of today’s most pressing legal issues. Some of our publications – like the Asian Pacific American Law Journal and the National Black Law Journal – were the first of their kind in the nation. All of our journals are forums for preeminent scholars, practicing attorneys and students wishing to play a role in the most significant legal discourse of our time. Examples of some of these journals include:
Entertainment Law Review
The Entertainment Law Review is devoted to legal issues affecting film, television, radio, computer and print media. The publication includes topics such as: copyright and patent issues; the regulation of the entertainment industry; and labor, constitutional, administrative and antitrust law as they relate to the industry.
Journal of Environmental Law and Policy
The Journal of Environmental Law and Policy offers diverse perspectives on topics of current environmental interest, such as toxic waste disposal and solar water heating. It offers students with an interest in environmental law or policy an immediate opportunity to become involved in editing and publishing in a field of rapidly growing importance.
Journal of International Law & Foreign Affairs
The Journal of International Law & Foreign Affairs (JILFA) is an interdisciplinary publication promoting international law and international relations scholarship by leading scholars, practitioners and other professionals from around the world, as well as student comments. JILFA covers a wide array of issues, some of which focus on: immigration; international gender and race discrimination; conflicting approaches to technological developments; the international criminal court; and sovereign debt crises.
For more information, view our complete list of student Law Reviews & Journals online.
LL.M. Program
Students who choose to pursue the LL.M. degree at UCLA have a number of unique opportunities and experiences awaiting them during their year in Los Angeles.
The UCLA Law Difference
UCLA School of Law – the premier law school in southern California – has a reputation for excellence throughout the world and is ranked among the top tier of law schools in the nation. As judged by academic peers, the university itself consistently ranks in the top half-dozen in the country.
A Flexible Curriculum and Customized Experience
UCLA Law’s interdisciplinary approach to legal studies allows for a dynamic, flexible curriculum that appeals to a range of interests. LL.M. students may choose to specialize their studies in fields such as Business Law, International and Comparative Law, Media, Entertainment, and Technology Law and Policy, or Public Interest Law, to name a few. Students can even create their own self-designed specialization in fields such as criminal justice, environmental law, and more. Whether they plan to gain more exposure to the U.S. common law system, sit for the New York bar exam, or put theory into practice outside of the classroom, our students can fulfill their unique academic and professional goals at UCLA.
An Elite Community
UCLA Law's faculty has a world-class reputation for scholarship. These leading scholars are not only renowned nationwide (and around the globe), but they also foster an encouraging and supportive learning environment. UCLA law students are among the best and brightest in the world, and together they make up a diverse, close-knit community. They come from a range of nationalities and backgrounds, offering fresh perspectives both inside and outside of the classroom. The relationships that our students develop both in class and off-campus will form part of their global network, and will last a lifetime.
Bright Prospects
Our distinguished faculty prepare students for outstanding careers in transactional and litigation practices, government, academia, business, international law, public policy and public interest. Because of this exceptional academic preparation and our reputation for excellence, those who join us can look forward to a promising future for themselves -- and for those whom they will represent, teach and inform.
Life in Los Angeles
Those of us who work and study in Los Angeles have a hard time understanding why people go anywhere else. Our lush, sprawling campus is ideally located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city, just 15 minutes from the beach and 5 minutes from Beverly Hills. In addition to having what might be the best climate on earth, Los Angeles is a dynamic, cosmopolitan cultural center with arts and entertainment offerings that rival any in the world. Why wouldn't you choose Los Angeles?
S.J.D. Program
The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) Degree Program is designed for those seeking to pursue careers as teachers and scholars of law. This highly selective program is open only to applicants who possess a distinguished prior academic record in law, show promise of outstanding scholarship, and demonstrate a high potential for completing a scholarly dissertation of required quality. Applicants must hold a J.D. degree or foreign equivalent and an LL.M. degree (or be enrolled in a program leading to an LL.M. degree). S.J.D. students must be in residence at the law school and complete coursework on a full-time basis for one academic year. Thereafter, S.J.D. candidates will have two years following completion of their residency requirement to submit and defend an oral examination and a dissertation in an area of their choosing which constitutes a substantial contribution to knowledge in the field.
Those who are interested in applying for admission to the S.J.D. Program must first contact the Director of Graduate Admissions to determine whether the small, competitive program is a good fit. Visit the S.J.D. Program website online for more details about the offerings, structure, eligibility criteria, how to apply, and more.
News
Foreign Legal Study & Exchange Program
In an increasingly interconnected world, experience and familiarity with international law and other nations' legal systems and cultures is increasingly indispensable for lawyers, legal scholars and law students alike. Recognizing this powerful trend, UCLA School of Law offers various opportunities for its students, and for law students in other countries, to gain exposure to international law and the legal systems and cultures of other nations.
UCLA School of Law has partnered with sixteen other leading academic institutions in Europe, Asia, Israel, Australia and South America to establish the Foreign Legal Study and Exchange Program (FLSEP). Under exchange agreements with these partner schools, UCLA School of Law hosts the most highly qualified students from its partner schools, while similarly talented and committed UCLA law students may sample the intellectual and cultural riches that partner schools offer.
UCLA School of Law’s current partner schools include:
• Bucerius Law School, Hamburg, Germany
• The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
• Haifa University Faculty of Law, Haifa, Israel
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Law, Jerusalem, Israel
• Institut d’Etudes Politiques d’Aix en Provence, France
• Keio Law School, Tokyo, Japan
• Leiden University Law School, Leiden, The Netherlands
• Melbourne Law School, Melbourne, Australia
• Panthéon-Assas (Paris II) University, Paris, France
• Peking University Law School, Beijing, China
• Tel Aviv University Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Tsinghua University School of Law, Beijing, China
• Universidad Torcuato di Tella Law School, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra Law School, Barcelona, Spain
• University of Tromsø Faculty of Law (UiT The Arctic University of Norway), Tromsø, Norway
• University of Vienna Faculty of Law, Vienna, Austria
Foreign law students who are not enrolled at one of the above partner schools are not eligible to apply to study abroad at UCLA Law, as the law school does not presently accommodate “free movers” or other students outside of its existing mobility agreements. Foreign law students can learn more about the exchange program, eligibility criteria, application process, admissions procedures, and more online.
The Los Angeles Distinction
UCLA School of Law is located in the heart of the thriving Los Angeles metropolis on the stunning UCLA campus – the largest campus within the UC system and one of the world’s leading research universities. As one of the world’s most dynamic and vibrant cultural centers, Los Angeles offers a rich artistic, social, and culinary scene, with access to world-famous museums, theaters, restaurants, sporting events, and musical performances. The region’s extraordinary topography and microclimates allow students to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, from surfing to skiing, mountain biking to hiking, all year long. Choosing UCLA Law is a choice that unlocks limitless possibilities for exploration, adventure, and growth – both in and outside of the classroom.
