Master of Laws (LLM) - Stanford University

Law is a system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and the art of justice.

Stanford Law School (Stanford Law or SLS) is the law school of Stanford University, a private research university near Palo Alto, California. Established in 1893, Stanford Law has been ranked one of the top three law schools in the United States, with Yale Law School and Harvard Law School, every year since 1992. Stanford Law is consistently regarded as one of the most prestigious law schools in the world. It has the highest percentage of recent graduates clerking for federal judges.

Stanford Law School (SLS) is offering a Master of Law (LLM) degree that is a course-based program of advanced study in four areas of specialization: 

• Corporate Governance & Practice, 
• Environmental Law & Policy, 
• International Economic Law, Business and Policy, and 
• Law, Science & Technology. 

Admission Requirements

The LLM is considered as a second degree for lawyers who have achieved their JD and passed the bar exam, and who are interested in a focused, specialized course of study in a specific topic of law. A typical law school requires an LLM applicant to have a JD (or another first degree in law for foreign-educated lawyers).

The LLM program at SLS is limited to students with a primary law degree (JD degree) earned outside the United States, the program enrolls approximately 15-20 students in each specialization per year.

Candidates for the LLM degree are expected to complete all degree requirements within one academic year and must complete the degree requirements within two consecutive academic years.

Course Structure

The general requirements for the degree of Master of Laws are:

• Successful completion of at least 35 approved quarter units, including specific course requirements;
• Three-quarters of residency;
• Timely filing of an application for graduation.
• Each LLM program has further specific course requirements

Unit Requirements:

To obtain an LLM degree, students must complete at least 35 but no more than 45 approved quarter units of course work. At least 26 of these units must be in Law School courses.

Limitations on Course Selection: 

LLM candidates are subject to the following limitations on course selection:

• LLM candidates may not take more than forty-five (45) units while enrolled at Stanford Law School. All units taken at Stanford Law School or Stanford University count toward this total, whether or not these units are taken for credit toward the degree.
• LLM candidates may not take any courses that are required as part of the first quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum and must petition for permission to take any courses that are required as part of the second quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum.
• LLM candidates may not take any courses at other law schools.
• LLM candidates may take for Law School credit no more than nine (9) quarter units worth of courses elsewhere in the University and may not take any foreign or English language courses for Law School credit.
• LLM candidates generally cannot avail themselves of the “clinical quarter.” However, in exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the clinical instructor and the LLM teaching fellow for the relevant program, this restriction may be waived. Students receiving such an exception will be required to satisfy all other course requirements for their degree.

Residency Requirements:

To graduate, an LLM candidate must be “in residence” as a law student for at least three quarters. For purposes of the LLM degree, the term “in residence” means that a student:

• Takes at least 9 quarter units of credit that can be counted toward the degree each quarter.
• By the date, all grades for the quarter are due, pass at least 8 units each quarter.
• Pays full tuition to the law school.
• Do not work more than 20 hours per week during the term. A student must be in residence during the quarter in which the final degree is conferred or in the quarter immediately preceding degree conferral.

Tuition Fees

Tuition for students enrolled at the LLM program for 2021-2022 totals $64,350 per year.

Cost of Living

• For single students, room and board in university residences cost approximately $31,557 for the 2021-2022 school year. 
• Required books, if purchased new, cost about $1,530 a year. 
• Local costs for transportation, clothing, recreation, and the like tend to vary.  

Most single students find they need to budget a total of at least $107,055 for the school year.

Laptop Computers

Students are required to have laptop computers and are advised to have a printer and modem, as well. In addition to using the laptop to write papers and create spreadsheets, students will have the opportunity to take examinations on laptops and will receive administrative notices only via electronic mail. 

Students may purchase a laptop from the Stanford Bookstore through a special program with the law school. Students who must purchase a laptop to meet this requirement are eligible to have their financial aid budgets increased by as much as $3,300. Only specific computers meet the needs of the law school’s computing systems.

Scholarships:

With the aim of making a Stanford Law education accessible to exceptional students, whatever their economic circumstances SLS offers some financial assistance; such as a combination of tuition fellowships, government loans, and private loans that will be determined based on demonstrated financial need.

Approximately 75-80 percent of students receive some form of financial aid, with the average fellowship portion per student estimated at $25,000 to $28,000 annually. Students who choose public service careers may also be eligible for annual fellowships, funding for summer work, and generous loan repayment options.