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Introduction

Founded in 1895, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (Pitt Law) is a leader in legal education, offering a broad and dynamic curriculum, an internationally recognized faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. Its diverse student body hails from across the globe. Located in a modern six-story building in Oakland—Pittsburgh’s cultural and educational hub—Pitt Law benefits from its proximity to four universities, the world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and numerous scientific and high-tech research centers. The vibrant neighborhood also features museums, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants, with the University’s campus bordering a scenic 429-acre city park. Nearby residential areas offer quality, affordable housing, and Pitt students enjoy free access to all city mass transit. Downtown Pittsburgh, just minutes from campus, is home to state and federal courts, major corporate headquarters, and hundreds of law firms, providing students with valuable professional opportunities.

Library and Physical Facilities

The Barco Law Library, an inviting three-story, open-stack research facility, houses a collection of 450,000 volumes. Designed to maximize natural light, it features private study rooms, the Hickton Center for Community Legal Services & Clinical Legal Education, the Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice, and the Eberly Foundation Technology Learning Center. Students also have access to the Reserve, Commons, and Study Guides collections. Faculty offices encircle the library, fostering easy interaction between students and professors. The building’s first and ground floors include cutting-edge classrooms, a spacious student lounge, and the elegant Teplitz Memorial Courtroom.

Housing

While the University of Pittsburgh does not offer graduate housing, the Center for International Legal Education (CILE) assists LLM students by providing contact information for potential housing providers. Additionally, students can access resources through the University’s .

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

The University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Laws (LLM) Program for Foreign Law Graduates provides an excellent opportunity for lawyers who have obtained their law degree outside the United States to study common law in a US context. Students pursue their goals with the help of a close-knit community of dynamic faculty who are at the forefront of domestic and international legal research and scholarship.

Because interaction with US lawyers is integral to understanding US law, the program allows for students to study the US legal system and institutions alongside American students enrolled in the university’s Juris Doctor (JD) program. This permits the LLM students to participate fully in both the social and intellectual life of the law school, establishing relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

Within the scope of the overall LLM program, each student can pursue a personalized course of study and experiences. LLM students at the University of Pittsburgh benefit from inclusion in the entire Law School community, while at the same time enjoying the advantage of a separate and small community of global scholars dealing with common experiences. Opportunities for specializations also exist within the LLM degree with our micro-credentials program in areas such as international arbitration, commercial law and dispute resolution, US business and entrepreneurial law, health care law and regulation, tax law, human rights law, intellectual property law, energy and environmental law, and cyber and IT law. Special opportunities are often arranged for the LLM class to visit important legal institutions to see the practical side of the laws they study. We also try to assist those LLM students looking to obtain post-graduation internships that match their professional interests and needs.

The relatively small size of each year’s LLM class allows faculty members to deal with student needs on an individual basis. The required LLM courses (Introduction to American Law, US Legal Analysis and Writing, and the Spring Colloquium) also are kept small enough to allow for substantial discussion and comparison with home legal systems by each student, as well as personal feedback on both written and oral presentations. 

LLM Admission

Applicants are admitted to the LLM program based on their ability to thrive in a demanding and competitive environment, as evidenced by their academic record and professional accomplishments. The program considers applications from lawyers with a law degree from a non-US law school who can also demonstrate a proficiency in the English language. Applicants must have taken either the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo examinations of English competency within the past two years. We generally seek results equal to or greater than 100 on the TOEFL (internet-based test), 7.5 on the IELTS and 130 on the Duolingo.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning October 1^st. We continue to accept applications until the class has been filled. We suggest that you submit your application by March 31 of the year in which you would like to begin your studies so that we may fully consider your materials. 

Contact Information

For additional information, please visit the , or contact:

Marie Hamblett
Program Administrator, Center for International Legal Education

University of Pittsburgh School of Law
3900 Forbes Avenue
Barco Law Building, Room 317
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
USA

Phone: 412.648.7023
Fax: 412.648.2648
Email: cile@pitt.edu

Center for International Legal Education

The Center for International Legal Education (CILE) administers the LLM Program for Foreign Law Graduates at Pitt Law. CILE works closely with the LLM students to help them adjust to the American legal education system and to provide them with opportunities throughout their program of study in the United States. In addition to educational and professional development opportunities, CILE works to provide LLM students with the chance to take advantage of social activities at the University of Pittsburgh and in the city itself.

Scholarships

Some financial aid opportunities are available through the CILE for the LLM program. Aid applications are made available following admission to the LLM program. 

Student Activities

LLM students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous student activities open to all law students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Almost 30 law exist under the auspices of the Student Bar Association, the governing body for the Pitt Law student body acting as a liaison between the administration and students.  Each student organization and affinity group reflect the diverse social and intellectual interests and experiences of our students

Additionally, students can translate theory into practice by utilizing opportunities like JURIST and Moot competitions throughout the year. JURIST () is an award-winning online legal news service powered by a global team of over 100 law student reporters, editors, commentators, correspondents and content developers from 50 law schools in 24 countries across six continents. JURIST’s mission is to engage law students with the most important events of their time, giving them an opportunity to document and defend the rule of law while preparing them for success and leadership in later professional and public life. Moot opportunities allow Pitt law students to earn credit for their participation in competitions, some involving international legal issues. 

Career Services

The LLM Program for foreign law graduates is designed primarily for those planning to return to their home countries for legal employment. While some students do decide to stay in the United States, those individual students must secure the proper immigration status before seeking employment.

Cost

• Tuition, mandatory fees and other estimated expenses can be found via the link above. Please note tuition and mandatory fees exhibited on the page are subject to change without prior notice.  
• You should also include in your annual budget approximately $2,500 for health insurance. Your student identification card entitles you to free bus rides throughout the county. See  for more information including links to apartment ads and international cultural affiliations such as churches and nationality clubs in Pittsburgh.