LLM

Lewis Katz Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Phone: 800.840.1122 | Website: law.psu.edu

Introduction

With a $150 million investment in new faculty appointments, state-of-the-art facilities, and innovative new clinics, the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law is preparing its students to engage in a lifetime of advocacy, counseling, and service on both the national and international stages. Penn State Law LLM students have the chance to take both law classes and interdisciplinary courses in business, international affairs, and other social science areas offered by one of the top research universities in the world. Penn State Law School graduates become part of the largest alumni network in the world—with 500,000 living graduates. Penn State Law was formed from a merger in 2000 of the Dickinson School of Law—founded in 1834 in Carlisle, PA, the oldest law school in Pennsylvania and the fifth oldest in the nation—and one of the world's great research institutions, Penn State University.

Penn State Law School is located in University Park, Penn State's flagship campus located in the town of State College. Consistently ranked as one of the safest places to live in America, the campus is within easy driving distance of several large business hubs, including Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, DC; and New York City. The major university setting is an intense and diverse intellectual community and home to approximately 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the Penn State Nittany Lions football team and hundreds of academic, residence, and support buildings. The environment is enhanced by the area's rich collection of cultural resources, museums, galleries, state parks, recreational activities, galleries, shops, restaurants, and more.

Law School Enrollment

• Total law school enrollment: 650
• Full-time: 650
• LLM students: approximately 20–25 per year

Physical Facilities

Our buildings reflect the serious academic nature of the study of law, with award-winning libraries, classrooms, and gathering spaces that enhance opportunities for learning, spontaneous discussions, and passionate debate.

LLM students attend classes at the new Lewis Katz Building in University Park. The focal point of the Lewis Katz Building is its glass-enclosed H. Laddie Montague Jr. Law Library. The law library has a volume capacity of 100,000 and seating for 294 students. Additional building features include:

• 250-seat Gregg Sutliff Auditorium
• Courtroom equipped with the latest in trial technology, including video conferencing and electronic evidence display monitors for judges, counsel, jurors, and witnesses
• Four 75-person classrooms and several intimate seminar rooms
• Legal clinics and student organization suites
• Full Career Services office
• Outdoor terraces and reading gardens
• Plentiful student study space
• Advanced videoconferencing technologies allowing for meaningful interaction with faculty and peers around the globe

Housing

On-campus graduate housing is available for both single law students and law students with families at the White Course Apartments. A supportive staff and an excellent safety/security program help to make graduate life easier and more comfortable. Additionally, special activities and programs help residents get to know one another and form friendships that will last a lifetime.

Single student apartments house four students per four-bedroom apartment. Students with families may apply for one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments, depending on family size. Each apartment has its own kitchen and laundry facilities, and utilities, phone service, cable, and internet access are included in the rent. There are various housing opportunities in the surrounding areas close to campus. The office of Student Services begins compiling a housing list in March and continues to update the list throughout the spring and summer months.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

Penn State Law is a leader in training international lawyers for the global marketplace. For over 40 years, LLM students from around the world have come to advance their careers by studying with our distinguished faculty.

The LLM is open to individuals who hold a degree in law from an accredited institution outside of the United States. Students work with experienced faculty members to develop a course of study that supports their individual career goals. LLM students can enroll in courses available to Penn State JD students and share classes with JD students. Penn State Law's rich curriculum affords LLM candidates the opportunity to design their own program. Students can enroll in a variety of diverse courses or choose to concentrate their studies in any one of the specialized fields of study below:

• Business Law
• Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation
• International and Transnational Law
• Antitrust

Application Information

Applications are available: 1 October 2011 through 1 June 2012 and must include:

• Application Fee: $75—Waived if using the LSAC E-App Service
• Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all relevant academic institutions previously attended. Transcripts must include both the original and a certified English translation. LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service is preferred.
• Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation should come from professors or employers of the applicant. Ideally, letters of recommendation will describe the length and nature of the recommender's relationship to the applicant and specifically address the applicant's aptitude for advanced law study in an English language environment.
• Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a one- to two-page personal statement that explains their reasons for pursuing an LLM degree as well as their future plans and goals. Applicants are encouraged to highlight significant experiences as a lawyer or law student.
• Résumé: Applicants are asked to submit a résumé outlining all relevant work experience and education.
• English Proficiency: LLM candidates are required to earn a minimum paper-based score of 575 or an internet-based score of 88 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®). A score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS™) is also accepted.

Contact Information

For additional information, please visit the LLM Program website, or contact:

Fiona McCormick
Assistant Director of Admissions
LLM Admissions
Lewis Katz Building
University Park, PA 16802
USA

Phone: 717.240.5202
E-mail: llmadmit@psu.edu

Summer Skills Course and Two-Week Orientation Program

Penn State Law offers an optional three-week summer Legal English Communication course. The certificate program prepares non-native speakers of English, who have been admitted to the LLM program, to actively participate in a US law school classroom. During the program, students will strengthen their English skills in:

1. active listening and speaking in class discussions;
2. understanding US legal materials; and
3. clear and effective writing for legal purposes.

The course is taught by an experienced law professor who has both taught and practiced law in the United States and internationally. Additionally, the small class size and several student-teacher conferences throughout the session, ensure that each student receives individualized attention.

Penn State Law also offers a collegial two-week orientation program prior to the start of the academic year. Students meet with professors in small class settings to gain an overview of US law, build community among the LLM class, and get to know professors.

Faculty Guidance on Academics, Career and Professional Development, and Bar Exam Preparation

When students join the Penn State Law LLM program, they become a vital part of the Law School community. Students work with experienced professors who help them make the right curriculum choices to achieve their specific goals. They are also paired with JD students who become campus mentors and, in many cases, life-long friends. Penn State LLM students enjoy a full range of services available to them to ensure their success. These unique services include:

• tutoring by a language specialist to perfect English language skill development;
• field observations in US courts, including a visit to the United States Supreme Court where LLM students have a private audience with a US Supreme Court justice; and
• individual guidance and group workshops on preparing for a US bar exam.

With over 40 student organizations, Penn State Law provides a wide variety of opportunities for students who wish to become involved in the law school community outside of the classroom. Additional opportunities exist on campus for international students to become involved in numerous academic and professional organizations, international student government, nationality clubs, as well as intramural sports like rugby, soccer, or tennis.

Career Services and Practitioner-Focused Programs

LLM students have access to a wide variety of resources in their search for career opportunities. Students work with experienced faculty advisors who serve as mentors and provide personalized guidance on career options. The Career Services staff assists students in identifying possible internship and job opportunities both within the US and globally. Other resources include assistance with résumé and cover letter writing, networking and successful interviewing techniques.

LLM students are required to take a practitioner-focused legal analysis, writing, and research course in the first semester. Additional skills development courses are also encouraged, including an advanced research and writing course for LLM students in the second semester.

LLM students may also work as research assistants for Penn State Law professors, to gain work experience.

Students are encouraged to participate in a local bar association mentoring program, the Inn of Court. This program pairs experienced legal practitioners in Pennsylvania with an LLM student during the academic year. Participants receive practical training and build their network for career advice.

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