Best Tax LLM Program 2016
Ranked : #2
Law School Diversity Index Rankings
Ranked : #2
Best General LLM Program 2015
Ranked : #3
University of San Francisco (USF) School of Law
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USA
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About
The USF School of Law educates students to be skilled, ethical professionals who make a difference in the world. It offers a rigorous education with a global perspective. An accomplished faculty of dedicated teachers and noted scholars is the foundation of the USF School of Law's academic program. Our professors are respected authors, researchers, and legal theorists and foster a vibrant intellectual community at USF. The law school offers full- and part-time JD programs, extensive externship and international programs, as well as several LLM programs.
The law school pursues excellence in a humane, diverse, and intellectually vibrant learning community of outstanding teachers and scholars dedicated to training ethical professionals. Consistent with the Jesuit tradition, the law school contributes to society by inspiring the pursuit of justice and serving the many communities—from the academic to the professional and the local to the global—of which it is a part.
University Rankings (10)
Student Life
Our students see each other as colleagues not competitors, part of a community motivated by a common goal. From the classroom to the clinics to the community, they work together in their educational journeys while forming personal and professional relationships that last a lifetime.
DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Ranked the 5th most ethnically diverse law school in the nation, our students arrive on campus every year from throughout California, across the country and around the world, with degrees and professional experience from inside the legal field and out.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Throughout the year, the law school and student organizations sponsor panels, guest speakers, and special programs that showcase diverse experiences and perspectives while providing opportunities for students to network with faculty, alumni, members of the bench and the bar, and visiting dignitaries. Law school-sponsored events include:
- Law Review Symposium
- Alumni-Student-Faculty Mixer
- Lunches with Lawyers Professional Networking
STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION
All students attending the law school are members of the Student Bar Association (SBA), which sponsors social and cultural activities and gives students a voice in school policy. The SBA also funds and oversees student organizations, including:
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Environmental Law Association
- Health Law Society
- Intellectual Property and Cyberspace Law Association
- Korean American Law Students Association
- National Lawyers Guild
- Pride Law Association
- Women's Law Association
For more details about Organizations & Associations, click here.
Public Service
A commitment to public service and social justice is an essential part of the mission of the USF School of Law.
The law school offers a rich array of opportunities for students to contribute to building a more humane and just world. Each year hundreds of USF law students participate in academic and community service projects across the Bay Area, throughout the United States, and around the world.
Through the Center for Law and Global Justice, students may secure legal externships in a number of developing countries. The annual Trina Grillo Public Interest and Social Justice Law Retreat provides a foundation for students' public interest ambitions and professional networking opportunities.The Law In Motion service program provides opportunities for students to reflect on social justice issues while serving the community.
The Law Student Pro Bono Project, co-sponsored by USF and OneJustice, matches students with volunteer projects at legal aid agencies, court-based programs, and social service providers. Students who participate in the Keta Taylor Colby Death Penalty Project perform hands-on legal work aimed at the interim reform, and ultimate abolition, of the death penalty in the United States. The Public Interest Law Foundation, a USF student group, provides grants to students working in unpaid summer externship positions with public sector organizations.
In addition, students may earn a Public Interest Law Certificate through a combination of course work, practical experience, and community service.
Housing
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Most law students at USF prefer to live off campus within the city of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Some on-campus housing options are also available.
The law school’s Office of Admissions and the USF Office of Residence Life provides a full array of support services to help guide students through the process of securing housing. The admissions office hosts Off-Campus Housing Workshops for incoming students, and surveys all incoming students in order to help facilitate roommate matches.
There are some on-campus housing options for graduate students, but these options are limited and not guaranteed. Most graduate students are assigned to Loyola Village, an apartment style complex, where they share a bedroom in a two or three bedroom unit.
Health and Wellness
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The USF School of Law is committed to fostering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of all students.
Our students benefit from extensive services within the law school itself, as well as many resources and of the larger university. The law school and the university's comprehensive program of student services includes a student health clinic, counseling services, and a disability resource center. All students have access to the award-winning Koret Health and Recreation Center, which features an Olympic-sized pool, indoor basketball courts, intramural sports, group exercise classes, and the latest in fitness equipment.
1. Koret Health and Recreation Center
The state of the art Koret Center facility features and Olympic-size pool, group exercise classes, fitness equipment, intramural sports and more. Law students have full access to the facility.
2. Counseling
USF’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) seeks to assist students in developing greater self-understanding and help resolve problems that interfere with their optimal personal functioning. The office also provides crisis support and referrals.
3. Disability Resources
USF’s Student Disability Resources office provides services to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all areas of student life and receive appropriate educational support and services to foster their academic and personal success.
4. Student Health Services
Law students benefit from the services provided by the USF Office of Health Promotion Services, and may visit visit Dignity Health Medical Group (DHMG) clinics during regular business hours regardless of their health insurance plan.
5. University Ministry
University Ministry is the center of spiritual life on campus, supporting the rich diversity of faiths represented by students and providing opportunities for spiritual growth.
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco was established in 1855 by the Jesuit Fathers as San Francisco's first institution of higher learning.
The university has grown from a one-room school house to become San Francisco's largest independent university. The USF School of Law, established in 1912, has demonstrated a corresponding growth. Today there are nearly 550 students enrolled in the law school and approximately 170 students receive the Juris Doctor degree from USF each year.
In its early years, the USF School of Law was housed in a building known as "The Shirt Factory" on the corner of Hayes and Shrader streets.
Throughout its history, the USF School of Law has prepared students for law careers in a community which boasts one of the finest legal traditions in America. Graduates have distinguished themselves in private practice and as attorneys in city, county, state and federal offices. Many of our alums have become members of both the state and federal judiciaries, including justices of the California Supreme Court, as well as prominent members of local, state, and federal legislative bodies.
We have done this by blending tradition and innovation: our tradition of excellence in educating students to be skilled and effective lawyers who leave law school ready to practice law along with innovative programming that reflects the vast changes taking place in all aspects of society and the law.
At the same time, we recognize our responsibility to train ethical lawyers who will help to make the world a better place, and we sustain an intense commitment to social justice and a belief that in this rapidly changing world we must redouble efforts to provide access to justice for those who remain marginalized in our country and around the world.
The School of Law
The University of San Francisco was established in 1855 by the Jesuit Fathers as San Francisco's first institution of higher learning.
The university has grown from a one-room school house to become San Francisco's largest independent university. The USF School of Law, established in 1912, has demonstrated a corresponding growth. Today there are nearly 550 students enrolled in the law school and approximately 170 students receive the Juris Doctor degree from USF each year.
In its early years, the USF School of Law was housed in a building known as "The Shirt Factory" on the corner of Hayes and Shrader streets.
Throughout its history, the USF School of Law has prepared students for law careers in a community which boasts one of the finest legal traditions in America. Graduates have distinguished themselves in private practice and as attorneys in city, county, state and federal offices. Many of our alums have become members of both the state and federal judiciaries, including justices of the California Supreme Court, as well as prominent members of local, state, and federal legislative bodies.
We have done this by blending tradition and innovation: our tradition of excellence in educating students to be skilled and effective lawyers who leave law school ready to practice law along with innovative programming that reflects the vast changes taking place in all aspects of society and the law.
At the same time, we recognize our responsibility to train ethical lawyers who will help to make the world a better place, and we sustain an intense commitment to social justice and a belief that in this rapidly changing world we must redouble efforts to provide access to justice for those who remain marginalized in our country and around the world.
Master of Law programs
USF offers three LL.M programs to help attorneys advance in their careers. The admissions committee reviews files in the order they are completed, on a rolling basis. Therefore, it is to the applicant’s advantage to submit the complete application with supporting materials as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed once all required documents and the application fee have been received. Applications will still be accepted after the priority deadline subject to the availability of space remaining in the entering class.
The LL.M programs proposed at the university are respectively:
How to apply?
LLM in IP & Tech and ITCL Programs
Our application deadline has been extended to Monday, June 20th. Please note that the Law School will continue to accept applications after this deadline, space permitting. However, early application filing is encouraged in order to receive an application decision in a timely manner.
The Admissions Committee reviews files in the order they are completed, on a rolling basis. Therefore, it is to the applicant's advantage to submit the complete application with supporting materials as early as possible. Applicants will be reviewed once all required documents and the application fee have been received.
Applicants will be evaluated on academic and personal criteria. Academic information to be submitted with the application includes law school transcripts and other university records. Personal information includes extracurricular activities, employment experience, and other biographical information. Recommendations from professors or employers and a personal statement from the applicant are also required. All documents not in English, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be accompanied by an English translation.
LLM in Taxation Program
The LLM in Taxation application is now available online through the Law School Admission Council at www.lsac.org or on the website at: https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/llm/taxation-program.
Please note that the Law School will continue to accept applications after our priority application deadline, space permitting. However, early application filing is encouraged in order to receive an application decision in a timely manner.
If you have any questions regarding the information below, please contact the Law School Office of Admissions at lawadmissions@usfca.edu or call (415) 422-6586.
Please check the respective program for detailed requirements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
USF is committed to providing its students with comprehensive financial aid packages. Approximately 85 percent of our students receive some form of assistance.
Financial aid for first-year students may consist of merit-based scholarships and/or educational loans. To be considered for financial aid, all law school applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents and are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
All applicants are reviewed for merit-based scholarships at the same time they are reviewed for admission. No additional forms are required. Scholarships for first-year students are limited and competitive.
To receive maximum consideration for scholarship for either the full-time or the part-time division, applicants should submit their law school application as early as possible and no later than the priority deadline. USF also makes Federal loans available to students under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Also available to USF students is the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program and private educational loans.
Annual Tuition and Fees
There are no fees for students enrolled in the LLM in Taxation. Students in the LLM in IP and Technology Law and LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law programs pay the Student Bar Association (SBA) fee of $35 per semester for full-time students and $1.75 per unit for part-time students.
The Board of Trustees of the University of San Francisco reserves the right to change tuition, fees, and other charges at any time without notice.
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Program |
Tuition |
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LLM in Taxation |
$1,980 per unit |
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LLM in IP and Technology Law |
Full-time: $46,780 Part-time: $1870 per unit |
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LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law |
Full-time: $46,780 Part-time: $1870 per unit |
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be offered to a few international applicants demonstrating financial need and outstanding academic achievement who would otherwise be unable to pay for the LLM program. Those applicants must submit a separate written statement with their LLM application materials that provides details on their finances, including the amount and sources of funding available to support their USF studies. No financial aid application will be considered without this information. Since funds are limited, it is to the scholarship applicant's advantage to submit their complete application with supporting materials as early as possible.
In addition, Discover offers private loans to international students, who are neither citizens nor permanent residents if they have a credit-worthy US citizen as a co-signor. See www.discoverstudentloans.com or call 877.728.3030.
U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents needing financial aid may submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Such students may qualify for an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan of up to $20,500. Additional information on financial aid for U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents is available by visiting Loan Programs. For further information about these and other programs contact the USF School of Law Office of Financial Aid.
EXTERNAL SOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Why USF School of Law?
The University of San Francisco School of Law uniquely prepares you for a lifetime of advocacy, dedication to principle, and advancing justice.
San Francisco Advantage: We’re in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. San Francisco is home to firms big and small, global businesses, entrepreneurial enterprises, high-tech and biotech, public defender and district attorney offices, public interest organizations, and state and federal courts. Learning opportunities abound, right outside our doors.
Engaged Learning: At USF, education is intellectually demanding and intensely personal. Our expert faculty are accessible, our academic choices are broad, and we focus on professional skills training and real-world experience.
Equipped to Lead and Succeed: Our students are prepared to be successful, effective leaders who are inspired to do their part to change the world. Our alumni exemplify excellence in action, as leaders in corporations, firms, public agencies, and nonprofits, and as judges in state and federal courts across the country.
Passion for Justice: USF prepares students for successful careers that make a positive impact in the world. Our students and alumni are pursuing the common good, whether it’s through innovative legal service programs or integrating ethics and humanity into their corporate practice.
LLM in Taxation
USF’s LLM in Taxation provides the inspiration and foundation you need to succeed in complex and ever-changing field of tax
Expert full-time and adjunct faculty members empower students with a comprehensive understanding of tax law and underlying policies. USF will prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and professional networking opportunities to reach your career goals.
The program is conveniently located at USF’s Downtown Campus in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district and at the San Francisco offices of Andersen Tax, so that working professionals can easily participate. A unique partnership with Andersen Tax provides the opportunity for Andersen managers and associates to earn their LLM in Taxation conveniently, and all students have the opportunity to take courses with Andersen managers and associates to develop and hone their skills and maximize career and networking opportunities. Online courses are also offered, allowing students the ultimate flexibility to earn their degree in a way that works for them. The program is offered to full- and part-time students.
LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law
USF's Intellectual Property and Technology Law program provides a thorough exposure to American, international, and comparative intellectual property law
The LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, which is open to U.S. and foreign candidates with law degrees, provides a thorough exposure to American, international, and comparative intellectual property law. The program equips students with a sufficient grounding in legal theory and practical skills to pursue gainful employment in the intellectual property field in the United States or abroad.
The program requires two consecutive full-time semesters of study at the USF School of Law (August through May). The program may also be completed through part-time study with permission of the director.
LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law
Students in the LLM in International Transactions and Comparative Law program, offered exclusively to foreign lawyers, may choose to focus on international commercial and business transactions law or on an in-depth study of a particular area of U.S. law.
This small program ensures a high degree of individual attention. In the LLM Mentor Program, all international students benefit from individual counseling with a faculty member and one-on-one mentor relationships with USF alumni who are practicing attorneys or judges. Students attend hearings, depositions, and other legal proceedings with mentors, as well as social events.
This degree may be completed in two full-time semesters (August through May). A part-time option is available with approval from the program director. International students who graduate from this LLM program may be eligible to take the bar examination in California and other states.
