Students from around the world come to Lincoln, Nebraska to receive a rigorous academic experience. Graduates are trained to meet the demands of legal practice in our globalized world by attending their courses side-by-side with J.D. students.
Lincoln is a fun college town, the state capital, and a city of nearly 260,000 people that boasts museums, music venues of all sorts, sports, and some of the best and most extensive bike trails in the country for a city of its size.
Eligible Students
The Global Legal Practice LL.M. program is designed for students who obtained their law degree at a University outside of the United States.Application Procedure
You will begin by creating an Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) account, selecting the correct application, and providing the required application materials listed below.
Applicants must also submit:
- $50 Application Fee
- 2 Letters of Recommendation written in English
- Personal Statement (written in English) addressing applicant’s desire to learn U.S. Law
- Certified foreign transcripts indicating a foreign law degree via the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- English as a Second Language Requirements:
- TOEFL: The required score is 90 on internet-based exam or 233 on the computer-based exam or 577 on the paper-based exam. If the internet-based (or comparable) score is below 100 an interview is required.
- IELTS: The required score is a 7.
The Global Legal Practice LL.M. admissions committee reserves the right to accept comparable exams at their discretion.
Curriculum
Nebraska LL.M. students attend their courses side-by-side with J.D. students.
LL.M. students are required to complete 24 credit hours to graduate, including 8 credits dedicated to required courses. Required courses include International Perspectives in the U.S. Legal System: Practicing Law in a Global Legal Environment (2 credit hours, spring semester), Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (2 credit hours, fall semester), and Professional Responsibility (3 credit hours, either semester). Upon their arrival in Lincoln, LL.M. students are required to take a one-week course, U.S. Legal System and Constitutional Principles for LL.M. Students (1 credit hours, pre-session), prior to the start of the Fall semester.
LL.M. students select the remaining 16 credit hours from the J.D. Curriculum. LL.M. students are eligible to take first-year (1L) courses, but because the majority of those courses are yearlong and 6 credit hours, we suggest LL.M. students also review the upperclass curriculum. Note, some state Bar Exams require courses in the core exam areas.
LL.M. students may choose to focus their studies in a particular area of law and interest. Nebraska Law has faculty specializing in a wide array of practice areas and a large selection of courses each semester. Popular choices include courses in the areas of International Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business Transactions, or Litigation. Please note, because the program is only two semesters LL.M. students are unable to receive a formal certificate of concentrated study, but may register for the courses specific to their interests.
LL.M. students are also eligible for externship experiences at the Directors approval. Externships provide students with an opportunity to put the legal knowledge that they have acquired into practice while earning academic credit. The College has multiple established externships, but students also have the opportunity to set up externships that better suit their needs and interests. Externships are experiential learning opportunities that give students practical experiences for academic credit. Similar to job shadowing, externs are closely supervised by attorneys who will walk them through day-to-day routines at the company or organization. The experience allows students to apply their coursework learning to a real life setting.
Tuition
Students in the LL.M. in Global Legal Practice program pay the same tuition rate as our out-of-state J.D. students.
In 2020-2021 the cost of 12 credit hours is $13,128.00 and fees per semester are $1,687. You can see more on our J.D. Financial Information page.
Contact Us
Professor and Program Director Brian Lepard
402-472-2179
blepard@unl.edu
Student Life
The transition to life in the United States can be confusing. Below are some links you may find helpful.
The University of Nebraska encourages students to think about cross-cultural adjustment and provides tips and things to think about when studying in a foreign country.
Learn MoreVisa and Immigration Status
- Apply and Gain Admission (including language verification via TOEFL).
- Submit Financial Resources Form.
- The University of Nebraska will create the applicable forms for your visa type and express-mail it to you with your Certificate of Admission.
- Schedule an interview with the applicable consulate and pay SEVIS Fee. For the best available information and advice on applying for a student visa, consult the Education USA resources from the U.S. Department of State.
- Receive your visa, enter the United States, and report to the law college by contacting Elsbeth Magilton at elsbeth.magilton@unl.edu.
- Report to the International Student and Scholar Office to validate and activate immigration record.
For questions and assistance regarding immigration please contact the International Student and Scholar Office.
English Language Requirements
If your native language is not English the University of Nebraska requires exam-based certification of your ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
TOEFL Exam: The required score is 90 on internet-based exam or 233 on the computer-based exam or 577 on the paper-based exam. If the internet-based (or comparable) score is below 100 an interview is required. To find a test center and prep courses go directly to the TOEFL homepage or contact the EdUSA center nearest you!
IELTS Exam : The required score is a 7.
The Global Legal Practice LL.M. admissions committee reserves the right to accept comparable exams at their discretion.
Student Groups Across Campus
UNL is a diverse campus with nearly 2,000 international students representing 100 countries. There are about 30 different international student organizations open to the undergraduate and graduate population on both main and east campus. The Office of International Engagement maintains a list of the all international student groups available on campus to any students.
Student Groups at Nebraska Law
Nebraska Law students have formed a wide variety of student organizations, most of which are open to LL.M. student.
International students may be particularly interested in the International Law Student Association (ILSA). ISLA enables law students who are interested in international law and international trade to continue their education in this field beyond the classroom. Activities include: sponsoring the Jessup International Moot Court competition; counseling on graduate level and summer programs in international law, internships and career opportunities; and interdisciplinary programs sponsored by the College of Business Administration, the College of Agriculture, the Institute of International Affairs and other University of Nebraska colleges and departments involved in international relations and trade issues.
