7214 St. Charles Avenue, Box 901, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Phone: 504.861.5563 | Fax: 504.861.5480
E-mail: valuwisc@loyno.edu | Website: law.loyno.edu/llm-united-states-law
Introduction
It is a rare combination of wide-ranging programs of study, real-life opportunities, and a commitment to the community that makes Loyola University New Orleans College of Law stand apart. It is an institution that trains lawyers to think critically and be advocates for social justice. The entire Loyola law community provides an atmosphere for our students to excel, succeed, and become productive members of legal communities across the country and throughout the world. It is a school where students have the opportunity to learn from a prestigious faculty, participate in many extracurricular activities to hone their practical lawyering skills, and serve the New Orleans community through our many clinical offerings.
Loyola University New Orleans is a Catholic institution of higher learning in the Jesuit tradition. The College of Law was established in 1914, was approved by the ABA in 1931, and has been a member of the AALS since 1934. The College of Law is committed to excellence in legal education in the tradition of its spiritual heritage, with the goal being wisdom, not mere technical competence. The College of Law welcomes all persons who strive for the truth and who are prepared to challenge all assumptions in light of this commitment.
Law School Enrollment
- Total law school enrollment: 715
- Full-time: 591
- Part-time: 116
- LLM: 8
Physical Facilities
Loyola University has two campuses, both located approximately five miles from the historic French Quarter. The 20-acre main campus, in the heart of the uptown residential community, faces the nationally recognized Audubon Park and Zoo. The 4.2-acre Broadway campus is the home of the College of Law, including the new 16,000-square-foot wing that was dedicated in April 2007 (providing more classroom, office, and library space), and the new College of Law Broadway Building, home of The Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.
The law library's collection of 371,000 volumes and microform equivalents supports the curriculum and research needs of the students. In addition to conventional resources, the library has extensive computer facilities in place to access information outside its confines. The Online Catalog Library Center service permits the library to access a national bibliographic database of over 10 million publications. The law library houses remote-controlled viewing/listening rooms, a computerized legal research room, and two computer labs equipped with personal computers on a network with access to the Internet, LexisNexis, Westlaw, e-mail, and other computer resources.
Housing
On-campus housing will be extremely limited for graduate law students during the 2013–2014 academic year. There are numerous private housing opportunities in the surrounding areas. For housing inquiries and assistance, please contact Tori Luwisch at valuwisc@loyno.edu or 504.861.5563.
LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization
The LLM in United States Law is primarily (but not exclusively) designed for lawyers who have obtained their first degree in law from a law school in a Civil Law country. A concept of the program is that Louisiana's Civil Law, or perhaps more accurately "Mixed Jurisdiction" background, will be attractive to lawyers from Civil Law countries. The Loyola College of Law Civil Law faculty will be available for these students as interpreters and "mediators" to assist them in better understanding unfamiliar Common Law concepts and techniques and other aspects of American public and private law. By achieving this familiarity, foreign lawyers can become more comfortable in those areas of their future practice when they interact with US lawyers, businessmen, government officials, or other legal institutions.
Application Details
Students wishing to apply for Loyola University New Orleans College of Law's LLM Program for International Students must submit the following items:
- A completed application form. The application deadline is October 1, 2013 (for spring 2014 admission); the priority application deadline is May 1, 2014 (for fall 2014 admission).
- A nonrefundable application fee of $45.
- Transcripts of first law degree translated and evaluated through LSAC or other evaluation service.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A personal statement.
- A signed certification for electronic applications.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
TOEFL
- Students whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL.
- Students must attain a minimum score of 89 on the Internet version of the TOEFL. The following scores will be required:
- Writing: 25
- Speaking: 24
- Listening: 20
- Reading: 20, for a total score of 89
- Students must attain a score of at least 570 on the paper-based version and a minimum Test of Written English (TWE) score of no less than 5.5, with the understanding that a higher score on the TWE could offset a less than minimum score on the TOEFL.
- The TOEFL code for the Loyola University College of Law is 6374.
IELTS
- Students whose first language is not English may take the IELTS exam in lieu of the TOEFL. Students taking this exam should attain a minimum score of 6.0.
Other Proof of English Proficiency
- In lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS, students may provide other satisfactory proof of English proficiency, such as an undergraduate transcript from a university where classes were conducted in English or extended residence in an English speaking country.
- Students who do not meet one of the above requirements may be conditionally admitted to the LLM program. Full admission to the LLM program requires successful completion of the Loyola Intensive English Program (LIEP). To inquire further about LIEP, please see the following website: www.loyno.edu/cie/liep.
Practical Information
- Tuition rate (2013–2014): $1,366 per credit-hour, plus applicable student fees
- Financial aid:
- Graduation requirement: 24 credit hours, traditionally completed in one academic year
Student Services and Organizations
The university offers a wide array of programs and services that contribute to a complete educational experience. The following list includes just a few of those programs and services:
- Academic Success Program
- Center for International Education
- Center for International and Comparative Programs (Law)
- Student Health Services
- University Counseling Center
- Intercollegiate Baseball and Basketball
- Recreational Sports
- Instructional Resources Department
- University Ministry
- Whelan Children's Center
- Montage Concert Series
There are a number of student organizations, including three legal fraternities. Other organizations include the Student Bar Association, International Law Society, Environmental Law Society, and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.
Career Development and Law Practice Center
The College of Law's Career Development and Law Practice Center's mission is to equip law students and alumni with the ability to define and achieve their career aspirations, and assess their interests and values.
The Career Development and Law Practice Center educates law students and alumni regarding their professional development in the practice of law, and the methods of achieving career ambitions and employment options that exist for those in possession of a Juris Doctor degree. By cultivating relationships with legal employers, alumni and other members of the legal community the Career Development and Law Practice Center develops employment opportunities for law students and alumni.
Office of Legal Skills and Experiential Learning
LLM students are invited and encouraged to participate in Loyola’s Skills courses. The skills curriculum allows students an opportunity to learn necessary skills for lawyering, such as, factual investigation and counseling, trial practice, communication and negotiation, administrative boards and law office management. Courses are taught by practitioners, judges and faculty dedicated to volunteering time to enrich the skills curriculum through their experience and knowledge.
Contact Information
For additional information, please visit the LLM Program for International Students website, or contact:
Tori Luwisch
International Programs Coordinator
Loyola University College of Law
7214 St. Charles Avenue, Box 901
New Orleans, LA 70118
USA
Phone: 504.861.5563
Fax: 504.861.5480
E-mail: valuwisc@loyno.edu
« Back to LLM/Graduate Law Program Guide