LL.M. Admissions
Thank you for taking the first step to join UW Law’s community. We look forward to getting to know you and helping you through the process.
Admissions Overview
Admission is competitive, both your ability and motivation are important factors. We also strive for geographic and cultural balance within the class. U.S. and international applicants worldwide are welcome.
The central criterion for admission will be your potential for successful completion of, and contribution to, the program. Important factors to be considered are your overall academic record (particularly in law school), relevant experience and demonstrated interest in your program of choice.
Eligibility
Degree Requirement
All applicants must have a legal education that meets one of the following conditions:
Applicants who received their legal education in the United States must have a J.D. from a school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Applicants who received their legal education outside of the United States must have a first degree in law (LLB, BLaw) or credentials to demonstrate equivalent qualification through work experience and their professions.
For example, those who have passed a bar exam and are practicing lawyers in their own country are usually deemed to have LLB equivalence for the purposes of admission to this program.
Work Experience
We generally prefer LL.M. applicants to have had some professional work experience.
Language Ability
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The ways in which proficiency can be demonstrated are outlined in UW Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Application Instructions
To review the University-wide admissions policies that apply to all graduate programs, visit our Graduate School’s guide to understanding the application process.
1. There are two ways to apply; either through UW's application portal or LSAC.
Option 1: UW Application
Fill out an online application, designate recommenders, pay the application fee and upload the required materials.
An application through the UW portal costs $90. Only one application fee is required, so do not pay fees to UW and to LSAC.
Or,
Option 2: LSAC Application
LSAC applicants pay the application fee through LSAC.
Log in to your account to start your application. Please choose the international application if you anticipate needing an F1 or J1 visa (for any LL.M. program), and choose the domestic applications if you do not need a visa:
2. A complete application will include the following materials:
- Resume listing educational qualifications, work experience, date of admission to legal practice (if applicable) and any other professional affiliations relevant to the application.
- Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages) describing your background, primary area of interests, practical or academic experience in the area, career goals and the educational objectives which you expect to meet through the program.
- Transcripts and Degree Statement from all colleges and universities attended. Please also upload transcripts for in-progress degrees and any degrees that you did not complete.
- Two (required) or three (maximum) recent letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors or others who know you and your legal/professional background and can evaluate your capacity for graduate study in the U.S. Applications submitted through UW MyGrad cannot be processed for review until at least two recommenders are designated.
Applicants whose native language is not English
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit English Language Proficiency scores or documentation that satisfies the English test score exemption policy. Please self-report your scores in the application and electronically submit your test scores to the UW using the following instructions. Offers of admission cannot be made until the UW receives the official scores electronically:
- Have ETS send your official TOEFL score electronically using Institution Code #4854.
- Have Duolingo electronically report your score to the UW.
- Have IELTS electronically report your score to the UW via the IELTS system (E-TRF), using the University of Washington’s organization ID 365.
For the full details of the English proficiency requirement, please see the UW Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements.
Minimum scores: TOEFL 80, Duolingo 110, IELTS 6.5.
Scores required to clear AEP requirement: TOEFL 92, Duolingo 125, IELTS 7.0.
3. Interview
You may be required to participate in an interview in person, via Zoom, or by phone after submitting your application.
Scholarship Consideration
International applicants (F and J visa status only) to the to the Asian & Comparative, Global Business, SID and General LL.M. programs may apply for tuition waiver scholarships, and all applicants to the Taxation and Intellectual Property programs may apply for funding. For more details on funding opportunities, visit the Graduate Programs Funding page. To apply for funding, fill out the form linked below:
Application Deadlines
International Applicants
International applicants must submit a full application no later than Feb. 15 of the year in which they plan to commence study at the University of Washington. As the processing of international applications requires extra time, we appreciate early submission of application materials.
The Febr. 15 deadline is for those students who need to obtain a visa. Applicants who reside in the U.S. or are concurrent J.D./LL.M. students at UW can use the deadlines for U.S.-based applicants.
U.S.-based applicants
All LL.M. programs have a domestic deadline of June 15 of the year in which they plan to commence study at the University of Washington.
Applicants to the Taxation LL.M. can apply for entry to Winter or Spring quarters if they do not need visas. The winter deadline is Nov. 1, and the Spring deadline is Feb. 1.
We recommend U.S.-based applicants submit a full application by Feb. 15 for consideration at the same time as international applicants, so as to maximize their chances of admission.