LLM Law at University of Chicago

Programme overview

The LLM is a full-time one-year programme for graduates who already hold a first degree in law. The cohort is small (70-80 students) and draws on more than 25 nationalities. No dissertation is required.

Faculty: Law School | Duration: 1 academic year (3 quarters, full-time); 27 course hours | Intake: Autumn (late September/early October) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Students earn 27 course hours (generally nine courses) with no required courses, building their own schedule from over 200 courses and seminars, mostly alongside JD students. Many focus on areas such as corporate/securities, intellectual property or antitrust; courses at other UChicago schools such as Booth are possible. Students planning to sit the New York bar need 30 course hours.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

LLM programme: a first degree in law (one that qualifies the holder to sit a bar examination) completed by September enrolment; LLB degrees from Japan and South Korea are treated as exceptions. Applicants whose native language is not English submit TOEFL or IELTS taken within two years: TOEFL iBT total of at least 104 (tests before 21 Jan 2026) or at least 5 on the new scale (tests after that date); IELTS Academic overall 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each section. MyBest scores, IELTS Indicator, TOEFL ITP Plus, TOEFL Essentials and Duolingo are not accepted. Exemptions apply for applicants educated in English since childhood or with one full-time year at an accredited English-medium institution in a listed country within ten years. Letters of recommendation are part of the file. Deadlines: priority submission 15 Dec, priority completion 1 Feb; applications open 1 Sept via LSAC.

USD 83,316 a year (2025-2026). LLM tuition only; excludes other costs Source

Intake: Autumn (late September/early October)

Duration: 1 academic year (3 quarters, full-time); 27 course hours

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities