Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the required application materials for the LLM program?

Your completed application must contain the following:

  • Completed LSAC report or paper application form
  • Résume or c.v.
  • Statement of purpose
  • Three signed Letters of Recommendation
  • Official Transcript(s) with certified English translations
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS report (if applicable)
  • Application fee of US$75

What type of LLM admissions cycle does Boston College Law School have and what is the deadline to apply?

Boston College Law School does not have an early review/early admission option, but rather has a rolling admissions policy for LLM applications, so we encourage you to submit your application materials as early as practicable. Our LLM application deadline is April 15, at 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern time, we typically receive applications as soon as the LSAC application “goes live” in September.

How do I submit an application?

You may submit through LSAC here. We highly recommend that you use the LSAC service. 

What should I do if I encounter technical difficulties with my application?

If you are using the LSAC service, please contact LSAC with technical problems relating to your application. If you need other assistance, please contact the LLM Program via email. We will assist you with your application submission, issues regarding online recommendations, and any other technical concerns that you may have.

Will you review my application even if some of the supporting documents are submitted after the deadline?

Our ability to review an application will depend on what we have on file for you. Please contact us if you have any concerns about getting your supporting documents submitted on time.

How do I find out whether a document has been received or if my application is complete?

We will reply to individual inquiries to verify receipt of your application materials either through LSAC or through the paper application process, and confirm the status of your application.

Do you accept materials sent by email?

We accept materials submitted during the application process through LSAC. If you have materials that must be mailed to us in hard copy in order for us to formally complete your application, please send them to:

Boston College Law School
Office of Graduate Legal Education and International Programs
885 Centre Street
Newton, Massachusetts 02459
U.S.A

When will admission decisions be available?

Admissions decisions are communicated to all applicants on a rolling basis, usually within a month of receipt of your completed application. If you are facing a deadline for accepting an offer from another school, you may email us, and we will give you an indication of the status of your application. Please be sure to attach a copy of the admission offer from the school in question in your email.

Will I be able to take courses with JD students?

The US Legal System is a course where LLM students meet as a group; otherwise, you will be taking the rest of your courses with JD students.

What courses are mandatory?

The US Legal System and Law Practice 1 are mandatory LLM courses for any students who has studied their first degree in law outside the United States. Both courses are designed to prepare students to develop the foundational law and practice skills needed to conduct legal research, writing and analysis in US law. LLM students and first year JD students take Law Practice 1 together.

What are the Boston College Law School LLM concentrations and am I required to take a concentration?

The Boston College Law School LLM offers five concentrations: Business and Commercial Law, Human Rights Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law and Tax Law. These concentrations are available to you, but you are not required to take a concentration. We will counsel with you to determine whether you might want to complete a concentration.

Who will advise me on course selection?

We counsel students before, during and after their experience in the LLM, Before the LLM begins, we will discuss your academic interests and career aspirations, and work with you to prepare a program of study. This program of study is revisited during Orientation and at the beginning of each semester, to confirm your interests.

Is English language support available for LLM students?

There are multiple areas in which your English language development is supported during the LLM program. The Law Practice 1 course is specifically designed to give you English language research, writing and analysis training in context with legal problem solving. It is one of the most unique and highly regarded programs for this pedagogical approach. In addition, there is an additional weekly academic support session for Law Practice 1, as well as one-on-one meetings for the course. In addition to the course and its core academic support, LLM students can also discuss their work with peer tutors both at the Law School as well as the Connors Family Learning Center at the O’Neill Library by appointment. The Office of International Students and Scholars also provides support throughout the year.

Is knowledge of other languages in addition to English seen as an asset at Boston College?

In an increasingly global world of law, economics and communication, capacity in multiple languages are seen as a highly valued asset. At Boston College, courses at the School of Social Work are available in Spanish, and the School of Arts & Sciences conducts language courses.  At the Law School a number of our faculty are multilingual, in French, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish, our library professionals consult in Mandarin, and our Visiting Scholars add an array of languages to our rich multilingual community. Your participation in the LLM give you access to this community of scholars and allows you to contribute your own knowledge of language and culture to our Boston College community.

Is it possible to transfer to the JD program once I complete the LLM program?

Yes, we review requests to transfer upon the completion of the LLM program to the JD program, on a case by case basis in coordination with our Office of Admissions.