LLM PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN LAWYERS

J. Reuben Clark B YU L AW S C H O O L

LLM BROCHURE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE PROGRAM ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2

APPLYING .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

F I N A N C E S ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10

VISA AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FORMS ................................................................................................................................ 13

H O N O R C O D E ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16

J. REUBEN CLARK LAW SCHOOL BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

WHAT AND WHERE IS THE BYU LAW SCHOOL?

Officially named the J. Reuben Clark Law School (JRCLS), the Law School at

Brigham Young University (BYU) is located in Provo, Utah. BYU is sponsored by The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The Church has its headquarters in Salt

Lake City, Utah, and has membership in countries all over the world.

WHAT IS THE LLM DEGREE?

The Law School offers a two-semester (eight-month) LLM program for foreign

lawyers leading to a master’s degree in comparative American law. It is a full-time, day pro-

gram that begins every August and ends in April. It is designed specifically for non-U.S.

lawyers who intend to obtain the degree to enhance employment opportunities in their home

countries.

DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO APPLY TO AND ATTEND THE LAW SCHOOL?

No. The Law School welcomes applications from students of all religious back-

grounds and denominations who will commit to live the Honor Code (see page 15).

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WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE LLM PROGRAM AT THE JRCLS?

Established in 1988, the LLM program seeks intelligent, dedicated attorneys from other countries who intend to return to their homes and make their communities better places to live. We expect our graduates to exemplify excellent academic legal practice and upstanding ethical and moral principles in their professional and personal lives.

WHY SHOULD I GO TO BYU TO OBTAIN AN LLM DEGREE?

The JRCLS trains foreign attorneys who are uniquely qualified to be leaders in all

aspects of international law practice. The Law School sponsors and is home to the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (www.iclrs.org), which hosts annual conferences for attorneys, government officials, non-profit organizations, and religious leaders from around the world for the purpose of expanding and deepening religious freedom around the world. Additionally, many members of the Law School community speak second languages and have lived in a country outside the United States. This makes the Law School an ideal learning environment for attorneys from other countries.

HOW DOES THE LLM DEGREE COMPARE TO THE JD DEGREE?

The LLM degree is a one-year master’s degree for foreign attorneys only. The LLM

applicant will only need to show finances for one year- for visa purposes (see page 10).

International applicants may also apply for the JD degree, which is a three-year pro- gram. All applicants to the JD program must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). More information on the LSAT can be found at www.lsac.org. All applicants to the JD pro- gram must be able to prove finances for three years (see page 10). If you have further questions about the JD program, please refer to the JD Brochure (link) or contact the Admissions Office at admission@law.byu.edu.

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I decided to attend BYU Law School

because I admire the great study

atmosphere here. In the LLM pro-

gram we can choose whatever

classes we are interested in and

get a general view of the American

legal system. The curriculum is

memorable. My horizon was

broadened through this program.

— J U N H A N , C H I N A

HOW DOES THE LLM DEGREE PREPARE ME AS AN ATTORNEY?

The LLM degree is designed to help you understand the comparison between the legal

system of the United States and the legal systems of other countries.

Note: Students from some countries will be better served by completing the JD program

instead of the LLM program because the three-year JD may offer more job opportunities

or better salaries in those countries. If this is your situation, you should apply for the JD

program and not the LLM program. This also applies to students who wish to practice

law in the United States. The LLM degree will fulfill the U.S. legal study requirement

that most states have for foreign attorneys, but additional restrictions for each state will

limit job opportunities. Please look at the admissions requirements for foreign attorneys

for any state you are considering for bar application to ensure that you would be eligible

to sit for that bar when deciding whether to apply to the LLM or JD program.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LLM DEGREE?

The Law School requires that you complete at least 24 credit hours of work. Classes

are two, three, or four credits each. LLM students work closely with a faculty advisor to

select the coursework that is best suited for their individual circumstances and interests.

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Every LLM student must take one first-year class, a legal writing and research class for

LLMs, and an Introduction to American Law class. All other credits are considered

elective credits, and the student can register for any class as space permits. Other than two

classes that are specifically for LLM students, your classes will be with students enrolled in

the JD program.

WHO TEACHES IN THE PROGRAM?

Our professors are among the best in the nation. They are recognized experts in all

aspects of the United States legal system such as commercial law, antitrust law,

administrative law, criminal law, constitutional law, legal history, property law, securities

law, immigration law, bankruptcy, and taxation. Four of the faculty have served as law

clerks to justices of the United States Supreme Court. LLM students will have the

opportunity to work closely with several faculty members during their program of study.

HOW LARGE IS BYU? HOW MANY STUDENTS ATTEND JRCLS?

The university enrolls approximately 30,000 undergraduate students annually. The

Law School enrolls approximately 400 JD students, 10 or more LLM students each year.

WHAT IS THE OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) PROGRAM?

OPT is a status designation given by the United States Government. It is a one-year job

placement in the United States to train recent foreign graduates in their field of study.

Students who have completed an advanced course of study at a university in the United

States, such as an LLM, are eligible to apply for OPT status after their F-1 student status ends.

WILL THE LAW SCHOOL’S CAREER SERVICES OFFICE HELP ME FIND A PLACEMENT FOR OPT?

The JRCLS Career Service Office is not involved with OPT placements, since the goal

of the LLM program is to place graduates in jobs outside of the United States. If you plan

to work in the United States as an attorney, you should apply instead to the JD program.

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APPLYING

HOW MANY STUDENTS DO YOU ACCEPT TO THE LLM PROGRAM?

We typically accept ten students per year.

WHO IS QUALIFIED TO APPLY?

Applicants must have received a law degree in their home country and be planning to

use their degree internationally. In addition, they must be certified, or eligible to be

certified, to practice law in their country. Applicants also must score at or above 590 on

the paper-based TOEFL exam or 243 on the computer-based TOEFL exam, or 96 on the

internet-based TOEFL exam.

WHAT IS THE TOEFL EXAM?

The TOEFL exam is the Test of English as Foreign Language. It assesses your English

language proficiency. Consult the website www.toefl.org for more information.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF THE LLM PROGRAM?

The program starts every year during the month of August and has holidays and one-

week breaks during fall and winter semesters. The school year concludes in April.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Applicants may begin applying November 1 of the year before they wish to begin the

program. The application deadline is March 1. The application for the LLM program is

online at www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/apply.

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WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF THE APPLICATION?

Note: All parts of the application must be in English or accompanied by an English

translation. They must be completed, submitted, and received before the application can

be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

THE APPLICATION CONSISTS OF:

• A $50 (U.S. dollars) fee, which can be paid online using a credit card or by mail with

a money order payable to BYU Law School.

• Electronic Application

• Honor Code Endorsement

• Two (2) letters of recommendation from professors or colleagues who know you

and your work.

• Transcript and Dean’s Certification:

• WES: http://www.wes.org/required/index.asp

• IERF: http://www.ierf.org/

• You must have a transcript of your law degree evaluated by a transcript-evaluating

service or agency.

• Résumé.

• Personal statement: A statement that explains why you are applying to the LLM

program and how you intend to use the degree after you graduate.

• An official TOEFL score report, taken within two (2) years of the date of application.

This official score report must be received by the JRCLS Admissions Office before

the application deadline.

WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

The deadline is May 1, in order to allow time for VISA requirements to be met (see page

13).

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HOW AND WHEN WILL OFFERS BE EXTENDED?

The Admissions Committee will make decisions on applications received by the

March 1 deadline by April 15. Notification will follow as soon as possible. Letters will

be sent to all applicants by e-mail and regular mail notifying them whether they have

been admitted, wait- listed, or denied. It is essential that you provide us with e-mail and

street addresses that will be valid at all times throughout the admissions process.

WHAT THINGS ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY REVIEW MY APPLICATION?

The Admissions Committee will evaluate the following: (1) a sufficiently high TOEFL

score to allow you to effectively communicate orally and in writing, (2) your reasons for

applying and your post-graduation plans, (3) your work ethic, and (4) the evaluation of

your potential by your recommenders.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The Law School application is online at the Law School Admission Council website

(www.LSAC.org). You can also find it by clicking on the link on the Law School website at

http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/apply.

CREDENTIAL EVALUATION

The J. Reuben Clark Law School recommends that international applicants to its LLM

degree program register with LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service. LSAC will

collect, authenticate, and distribute your university records and TOEFL score.

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I enjoyed being at BYU Law School very much. . . . I was able to receive profound knowledge

of the American legal system and a fair impression of studying at an American law school. I

was fortunate to meet wonderful people at the Law School: the professors, the staff

members, and my classmates. I want to stress the seriousness of the academic side of the

program; nevertheless, I was able to enjoy out-of-school activities with my friends. I’d like

to thank all the people that made my time here so great!

— K A T Y A M I L O N O V A , R U S S I A

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You will be able to use this credential-processing service to apply to participating U.S.

and Canadian law schools for a period of five years. For additional information about this

service, go to http://www.lsac.org/llm/application-process The LSAC serves only to

authenticate non-U.S. or Canadian credentials that are needed in addition to a completed

admission application.

Note: To complete your file, you must still complete the J. Reuben Clark Law School

application and submit all required fees to this institution.

FI N A N C E S

HOW MUCH DOES THE LLM PROGRAM COST?

For a current listing of estimated expenses, check

http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/tuition-financial-aid. The costs are divided

into tuition for two semesters and “additional expenses.”

These estimates are calculated for one individual. If a student is married and has

children, the expenses will be higher. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies, (801)

422-4091, www.byu.edu/gradstudies, for the most current information and to obtain the

necessary I-1 and I-2 Forms.

WHY DO PERSONS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE LDS CHURCH PAY A HIGHER TUITION?

More than 50 percent of the operating costs of the Law School are paid by the monetary

contributions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Therefore,

students and their families who are contributing members have already made a significant

donation to the operation of the university. Because individuals who are not members of

this Church will not have contributed, they are charged a higher tuition. This distinction is

similar to the higher tuition that state-sponsored law schools charge to nonresidents.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE “ADDITIONAL EXPENSES” AMOUNTS?

These amounts are average costs—other than tuition—of attending school for two

semesters, which include housing, insurance, books, food, personal items, and other

payments. These averages are fixed by the BYU Office of Financial Aid to be used by all

students, including international students, in the official paperwork submitted to the

government.

DOES EVERY STUDENT SPEND THAT ENTIRE AMOUNT?

No. Each student will have a different amount that they spend individually. Some

students may spend less, and some may spend more. However, even if you do not plan

to spend the estimated amount, you must still prove that you have this amount available.

For more information on the United States requirements, please see the VISA section on page

13.

DOES THE LAW SCHOOL GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO LLM STUDENTS?

At this time, no funds are dedicated for LLM scholarships. However, practically

speaking, the low tuition for the program already works as a “scholarship.” By

comparison to other U.S. law schools, our tuition is one-third to one-half less.

CAN AN LLM STUDENT DO A WORK-STUDY PROGRAM?

No. The Law School does not participate in any work-study programs.

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CAN AN LLM STUDENT WORK IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE LLM PROGRAM?

An LLM student may not work off-campus. An LLM student may work in a

university-sponsored job during school up to 20 hours per week and not violate the

terms of their F-1 status.

Note: Anticipated earnings cannot be used to prove finances. You are expected to

provide your own money to pay tuition and expenses. Proving financial resources is a

requirement to be accepted into the LLM program. You should plan on having 100

percent of the money required for the program before you apply.

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VISA AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FORMS (I-20, I-94, Affidavit of Support)

HOW DO I GET A VISA?

You must apply for a VISA through your consulate office.

You will probably need to request an interview as part of your

VISA application. It may take up to two months to schedule your

interview. You must have an I-20 and pay a SEVIS fee and a visa

fee before you go to the interview.

WHY DO I NEED AN I-20?

You need an I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 Student VISA,

the document issued by the United States Government that

gives you permission to enter the country.

WHAT IS AN I-20?

An I-20 is a “Certificate of Eligibility” that the United States

Government requires you to have in order to apply for a VISA.

WHAT IS AN I-94?

An I-94 is also known as the Arrival/Departure Document

and it tracks your entrances and departures with the United

States. It is given to individuals admitted to the United States as

nonimmigrants.

Available at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html

HOW DO I GET AN I-20?

After you apply, and if you are accepted, you will be

contacted by BYU Graduate Studies with a request to prove

finances covering the cost of attendance for one full year of

school. If you can prove finances, you are eligible to receive an

I-20.

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HOW DO I PROVE FINANCES?

There are two documents needed to prove your finances: an

Affidavit of Support showing who is sponsoring you (including

self-sponsorship), and bank statements from the sponsor showing

available funding. These bank statements cannot be more than 3

months old.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A VISA?

The waiting period varies, depending upon individual

circumstances. If you have to go to “name clearance,” it may take

an additional three to five months. If you are denied a VISA, you

may appeal. Appeals can take up to six months.

WHAT IS “STATUS”?

“Status” is the word used by the United States Government to

describe why you are in the country. The status that you will receive

as an LLM student is F-1.

WHAT IF I HAVE A PERMANENT RESIDENT NUMBER?

If you have a valid Permanent Resident Number, you do not

need to prove finances.

Submit a copy of your green card with your application.

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WHAT IF MY VISA EXPIRES AFTER I AM IN THE UNITED STATES BUT BEFORE THE LLM PROGRAM ENDS?

A VISA expiration does not affect your status. You can stay in the United States to finish

the LLM program. However, if you want to leave the United States after your VISA

expires, you will have to apply for and receive a new VISA to come back into the country,

even if you have not yet completed the LLM program. For a number of reasons, we

generally do not advise students to visit their home country during the LLM program

because of the complications that could arise when trying to re-enter the United States.

WHAT IS THE SEVIS SYSTEM?

SEVIS stands for Student Exchange Visiting Information System. It is the computer

database that will keep track of your status and where you live while you are in the United

States. You must report any change of address at once. Your SEVIS information is kept by two

offices: the Law School Registrar and the university’s Office of International Students.

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H O N O R C O DE

WHAT IS THE HONOR CODE AT BYU?

It is an ethical code that each university student is expected to follow. Its requirements

reflect the code of conduct that has been established by the sponsoring institution, The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Compliance with the Honor Code is a part of the application. Part 3 is your signed

commitment to live by the Honor Code if you are accepted as a student at BYU. You must

also have an interview by either your own clergy, a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints known as a bishop or branch president, or a judge. The interviewer

must evaluate whether you will live by the Honor Code based on their discussion with

you; then he

WHAT DOES THE HONOR CODE INCLUDE?

Parts of the Honor Code are excerpted below. Full information can be found on BYU’s

Web site www.byu.edu.

As a matter of personal commitment, students, faculty, and staff of Brigham Young

University are expected to demonstrate in daily living, on and off campus, those moral

virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will:

• Be honest

• Live a chaste and virtuous life

• Obey the law and all campus policies

• Use clean language

• Respect others

• Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse

• Observe Dress and Grooming Standards

• Participate regularly in church services if a member of the LDS Church

• Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the BYU Honor Code

Other specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include

• Academic Honesty

• Dress and Grooming Standards

• Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement

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I am really grateful for the opportunity to attend BYU’s Law School. It is the most important

thing that I have done to improve my career. The professors and classmates are always

willing to help, and the environment is simply fantastic.

— D O U G L A S D E C A S T R O, B R A Z I L 03

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