English Language Requirements

International applicants should normally have the language requirements necessary to satisfactorily complete a U.S. graduate law program, by demonstrating strong English proficiency. The program requires each applicant to submit an official score (at the time of application) from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Score (IELTS) as noted below:

    • English native speakers with education at the university level that was conducted in English in an English-speaking country are not required to submit scores.
    • If your native language is not English, but your education at the university level was conducted entirely in English in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Hong Kong or Singapore, then a statement from an official at your university verifying that English was the language of instruction should be included as part of the transcript and submitted to LSAC. ***Distance learning programs located in the above five countries (the degree-granting university was in the US, for example, and the student was in another country) do not meet this requirement.
    • For all other applicants, the Program requires for admission scores of 96 or above on the internet-based TOEFL or 7.0 or higher on the IELTS. We do not accept the paper-based TOEFL. The results must be from an examination taken within two years of the date of the LLM application.

***In some cases, the Program may accept scores of 92 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 or higher on the IELTS where the applicant’s academic record, suitable work experience in an English speaking environment, and the recommendation provide confidence that the student will thrive in our program. In this case, students should also explain in their personal statement why they think their test score do not reflect their English language ability.