Washington and Lee University School of Law (W&L Law)

The Law School

With a student body of about 390, W&L Law is easily one of the smallest of the nation's top-tier national law schools. What does that mean for a student's legal education? It means bright, motivated students. It means a student-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, and an average class size of 22. It means constant opportunities for meaningful exchange, critical thinking, and mentoring. It means an education respected throughout the legal profession, and that means good jobs. In short, it means everything.

The Program

Lewis Law Center

The LL.M. in United States Law requires successful completion of two semesters of study in residence, during which the student must earn 24 credit hours of course work. There are two required courses - the first is the 2-credit Introduction to United States Law (as described below); the second is a 6-credit course that combines intensive training and practice in legal research and writing with the study of a core substantive area of United States law (as described below). In all other respects the course work for the LL.M. program is elective, allowing students to study those areas of law of greatest relevance and interest to them. The Washington and Lee curriculum offers a wealth of beginning and advanced courses in all major areas of study, including, for example, business and commercial law, taxation, public and private international law, environmental law, and criminal and civil litigation. Except in the case of Introduction to American Law, the LL.M. students take the same classes as those offered to those enrolled in the J.D. program, and they are subject to same grading procedures and standards. Grades for most courses are determined by reference to the student's performance on a final examination or on a substantial research paper. A grade point average of C+ or better is required to complete the LL.M. program

Tuition and Fees

Tuition $38,080

Financial Aid

For information about an exciting new scholarship for a German LL.M student, please consult our LL.M webpage:

W&L LL.M Program

Enrollment in the LL.M. program is contingent on the applicant presenting proof of sufficient financial resources. In the ordinary case, this proof will be in the form of a letter from the applicant, a letter from the applicant's sponsor (if applicable), and a letter from a bank or other financial institution verifying that the applicant or the applicant's sponsor has funds sufficient to cover the anticipated expenses. If you have obtained a scholarship to study in the United States, the scholarship provider must send us a letter stating its commitment to provide funds for your LL.M. studies and stating specifically the amount of the funds so provided. We require this proof to ensure that you will be able to complete your studies without financial hardship. In addition, as explained below, United States government regulations require that we obtain such proof before we issue a Form I-20 A-B, a necessary step toward your obtaining a visa to study in the United States.