Enhance your legal expertise by pursuing your Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Vanderbilt Law School. Created for international students and lawyers, the one-year LL.M. program deepens your knowledge of the U.S. legal system.
LL.M. students learn from top-tier faculty alongside J.D. students in the classroom and through valuable hands-on experiences. Our program elevates your career trajectory, providing a transformative education that prepares you to sit for a bar exam and practice law across the world.
At Vanderbilt, students have the power to choose what they want to study. Our LL.M. program offers three distinct curriculum tracks based on specific academic interests and career goals:
The LL.M. program strives to equip internationally trained lawyers with highly focused expertise and the necessary preparation to expand their career options, which includes preparing for a state bar exam, practicing law in the U.S or with American firms in global offices.
While completing a Master of Laws degree does not automatically qualify students to sit for the bar exam in many states, it supports their journey to working as a lawyer in some states. In New York, California, and Texas, earning an LL.M. degree, along with fulfilling additional criteria, allows international attorneys with a non-U.S. law degree to sit for a bar exam.
Students interested in practicing in the U.S. are responsible for reviewing the eligibility requirements for the state bar exam they wish to take and prepare accordingly. Academic advisors are available to assist students in tailoring their curriculum to meet their professional goals and interests.
Our LL.M. program offers the academic rigor of a top U.S. law school that challenges students and spurs intellectual growth. To set our international students up for success, we encourage them to take an optional course—Summer English for Legal Purposes (SELP)—the summer before your LL.M. program begins. We offer this class in partnership with the Vanderbilt University English Language Center.
During the program, students receive intensive instruction in oral and written communication, participate in small group discussions, and practice responding quickly and concisely in large group discussions. This Legal English coursework continues throughout their time at Vanderbilt, helping to increase their exposure to the language of U.S. law as they learn its principles and precepts in their law classes.
Are you considering studying law in the U.S.? Vanderbilt Law School’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) program is a top choice for international students. In this video, Julia Truemper from the admissions team answers the most frequently asked questions about admissions, scholarships, financing your degree, TOEFL/IELTS requirements, and more.
Vanderbilt's top-ranked law professors come from a broad range of backgrounds and legal disciplines. Throughout the LL.M. degree program, they serve as instructors, research leaders, advisers, and mentors, ensuring students receive comprehensive support inside and outside the classroom.
Faculty Profile: Rebecca Haw Allensworth
Faculty Profile: Edward K. Cheng
Faculty Profile: Yesha Yadav
To help students excel in their post-graduate endeavors, Vanderbilt offers individualized professional support through our Career Services Office. From helping students craft a strategic plan that advances their careers to hosting practice interview sessions, we deliver an array of practical resources to help students conduct an effective job search.
LL.M. students also have access to Vanderbilt University's International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS), which serves the university's thriving international student community. Our ISSS staff members guides students through securing student visas, making travel and housing arrangements, acclimating to life at Vanderbilt, and more.
While working at a law firm, one of the partners encouraged Miguel to pursue a LL.M. in the United States to advance his career and develop professionally.
Bruna Bromfim chose the Vanderbilt LL.M. program because she wanted to deepen her knowledge of corporate law and change the focus of her law practice.
Emem merged various aspects of the law through coursework into a more comprehensive understanding of the energy industry and its legal capacity.
With ambitious applicants from all over the world, acceptance into Vanderbilt’s Master of Laws program is competitive.
Our admissions committee reviews each application holistically to determine how Vanderbilt can support the applicant’s goals and how they will fare within the program. We consider their previous academic and legal experience, letters of recommendation, areas of interest, and other factors that help us better understand who they are.
We offer admissions decisions on a rolling basis. The LL.M. application period begins on September 1 and remains open until April 30.
Review the complete application process for Vanderbilt’s LL.M. program.
As our legal systems become increasingly interconnected and globalized, attorneys have the added responsibility of remaining competitive and enriching their expertise so they can serve their communities and advance their futures.
Those eager to further their careers and deepen their specialized knowledge can earn a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Keep reading to explore the intricacies of a Master of Laws and see if it’s a suitable degree path for you.
When you invest in a Vanderbilt Law degree, you invest in your future. We offer generous financial assistance and connect you to a variety of loans and scholarships to lower the cost of earning your LL.M. degree.
During the admissions process, we automatically consider you for merit-based scholarships. If you receive a scholarship award, we will notify you after you receive acceptance into the program.
Learn more about financing your education at Vanderbilt Law.
Join a close-knit community of legal scholars and students in Nashville, Tennessee, by applying to Vanderbilt University Law School.
Your time in the LL.M. program will enhance your skills as an attorney, deepen your understanding of American legal issues, and connect you with exceptional lawyers from around the world. Upon graduation, you emerge ready to tackle new challenges and enact meaningful change wherever you go.
Take the next step toward advancing your career by applying to Vanderbilt University.
Connect with Admissions via email, phone, or a virtual information session.
Admissions Office
Suite 106
131 21st Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37203
615-322-6452