Apply - LLM Admissions - Donald P. Klekamp College of Law | University of Cincinnati
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LLM Application

LLM class of 2021 at Courthouse Visit

LLM Application for Admission


Priority Deadline: February 15
Regular Deadline is May 15
Apply today!

The Impact of a UC Klekamp Legal Education

At UC Klekamp Law, we believe that greatness lies beyond the classroom. Our LLM students gain real-world experience through our renowned centers, high-impact clinics, guaranteed experiences beyond the classroom, and sought-after LLM Fellowship opportunities. You'll find an environment that is collaborative and an academic curriculum that is rigorous and thought-provoking. Top-tier faculty will serve as your partners in learning with class sizes comparable to that of a small private school, and your classmates will become learning companions and lifelong friends. Tap into the greater UC network with more than a quarter of a million alumni around the globe, and let the power of the Cincinnati connection lift you to new heights. Apply today and discover how Cincinnati Law will ensure you graduate prepared to launch your unlimited future. #nextliveshere


Join our Family of Global LLM Scholars


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LLM Application Requirements

The University of Cincinnati College of Law is pleased to offer a program of study on the U.S. legal system to practicing attorneys and law school graduates who received their legal education outside the United States. The LLM program is a nine-month program designed to introduce internationally trained lawyers to the U.S. legal system while also giving each student an opportunity to design a course of study that best advances their professional agenda. Students who complete the program are better able to represent U.S. clients and more prepared for negotiations and litigation with U.S. parties.

The documents listed below must be sent with your LSAC application in order for your application to be considered.

  1. Personal Statement: Please describe why you wish to study law in the U.S., why Cincinnati Law could be a good fit for you, and how you plan to use the knowledge, skills, and degree earned in this program. If you are interested in a scholarship or fellowship in Criminal Law or Human Rights Law, please indicate that here as well. Your essay should be one to two pages long. 
  2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Please provide a resume listing and describing your professional, educational, or other related experience. Include the name of each employer, the position you held, and the dates you were employed.
  3. Two Recommendations: Please ask two individuals who are familiar with your academic or legal work to supply a letter telling us why you would be a good candidate for the LLM program. Follow the instructions on the LSAC application to request that the writers submit their letters on your behalf. 
  4. Credential Evaluation: We must receive a course-by-course credential evaluation of your previous higher education before we can consider your application. You may choose from LSAC (good link) or any NACES (good link)organization to provide your evaluation. We would recommend WES (link works) or ECE (link works). Please follow all of the instructions carefully from the evaluator you choose. This will include having official transcripts sent directly from the institution where you received your first degree in law;
    unofficial transcripts or transcripts sent from the student directly will not be accepted.
  5.  TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR Score: IIf your native language is not English, you must supply evidence of your English proficiency. We accept TOEFL. IELTS, CEFR, and DuoLingo. Our TOEFL institutional code is 1833. Preference will be given to applicants with a score of 5 on the TOEFL internet-based test or the equivalent; this includes CEFR C1, IELTS 7, DuoLingo 120, and a TOEFL score of 100 on the 0–120 iBT scale. Applicants with scores of TOEFL 4.5, CEFR B2, IELTS 6.5, DuoLingo 110, or a TOEFL score of 85 or better on the 0–120 iBT scale will also be considered. Applicants can also show English proficiency with an ELC English Language Center Level 112 completion certificate. Waiver requests for applicants who meet one of the “automatic waiver” or “additional waiver” conditions at the bottom of this page can be directed to uclawllm@uc.edu. Please note that “additional waiver” categories do not provide automatic waivers. Per Graduate School policy, U.S. Permanent Residents do not need to provide proof of English proficiency.

If you need financial assistance with the application fees, please contact us at uclawllm@uc.edu.


Conditional admission is available for otherwise-qualified students who need additional English language instruction. English training is available on the UC campus at ELS-Cincinnati Language Center.

Documents being submitted by mail should be sent to the following address:

Nora Burke Wagner
University of Cincinnati College of Law
LLM PROGRAM
PO Box 210040
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0040 USA


Points of Pride 

  • 4th Oldest and Continuously Run Law School in the U.S. and Ohio's First
  • One of the Nation's Leading Social Justice Law Schools
  • Excellent bar passage resultes - first-time takers (85%) and overall bar passage (81%) on the July 2024 Bar Exam
  • "Best Value Law School" - the National Jurist
  • 8:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Cincinnati Law's Ohio Innocence Project has helped release 42 individuals who served time in prison for crimes they did not commit.
  • One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024 -  U.S. News

LLM Acceptance Deposit

Upon receiving notice of acceptance, the applicant is required to make an acceptance deposit of $250 by the date listed in the letter of acceptance. Payment of the deposit when due assures the applicant of a place in the class and is considered as evidence of good faith that he or she will register. 


Bar Admissions

Caution Regarding Bar Exam Eligibility

If you are planning to take a bar exam in the U.S., please contact the bar authority in the relevant state to determine which credential evaluation company they will accept. The LLM program does not guarantee your eligibility for any bar exams.

Completion of the UC Law LLM program does NOT guarantee your eligibility to practice law in the U.S.

Applicants who intend to practice law in the U.S. should be aware that each state sets its own requirements for eligibility, and admission to the bar in all states involves character, fitness, and other qualifications. Some states have specific educational and documentation requirements that must be met by applicants who completed some of their post-secondary education outside of the U.S. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research all of the bar exam eligibility requirements in the state(s) in which they intend to practice by consulting the state bar authority.

The University of Cincinnati is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the UC community. Our Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available on the Department of Public Safety’s website at www.uc.edu/publicsafety. To receive a hard copy of the report, call 513-556-4900.