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University of Washington School of Law

MAILING ADDRESS
William H. Gates Hall, Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98195-3020
MAIN PHONE
206-543-4550
WEBSITE
http://www.law.washington.edu/
ADMISSIONS EMAIL:
lawadm@uw.edu
REGISTRAR'S PHONE/FAX/EMAIL:
206-543-0453/000-000-0000/
lawnews@uw.edu
CAREER SERVICE PHONE/FAX/EMAIL:
206-543-9097/206-616-1365/
cpld@uw.edu

An Overview


The students of University of Washington School of Law are asked to rethink and defend their conceptions of the law and its relation to social problems. First-year students are often surprised to learn that their principal objective is not to "learn the law" but rather to develop the intellectual tools and skills necessary to work as professionals. They gain experience in analyzing cases, statutes, and other legal materials, thereby learning the structure and operation of the legal system.

Despite its status as a state university law school, University of Washington School of Law offers courses that provide a broad view of the American legal system. Although faculty members may present the Washington view on a particular issue as an illustration for a broad-ranging discussion, graduates of the school are well prepared to practice law anywhere in the United States.

Degrees Offered
The Law School also offers postgraduate programs on both a part-time and full-time basis that lead to degrees in these specialized areas:
  • LL.M. in Asia, Global Business and Development
  • LL.M. in Health Law
  • LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and Policy
  • LL.M. in Taxation

Admission Information


Requirements Details
Eligibility Domestic applicants must hold a J.D. from a law school that is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and approved by the American Bar Association. International students must have a first degree in law (LL.B., B.Law) or credentials to demonstrate equivalent qualification through work experience and their professions.

For the Asian Law, Global Business, Sustainable International Development, and General programs, those who have passed a bar exam and are practicing lawyers in their own country are usually deemed to have LL.B. equivalence for the purposes of admission.
Transcripts Official Transcripts and Degree Statement from all colleges and universities attended, sent in an envelope sealed by the issuing school (LSAC transcripts accepted; please include your LSAC number on your resume).
Letters of Recommendation Two (2) Letters of Recommendation by those who can best evaluate the applicant's capacity for graduate study in the United States, preferably law faculty or other law professionals on letterhead, sealed and signed on the exterior by the recommender (Letters submitted via LSAC are also accepted).
Personal Statement Statement of Purpose describing applicant's background, primary area of interest and preferred LL.M. track, practical or academic experience in the area, and how the LL.M. will be used after graduation (may be submitted online). The University of Washington School of Law has a strong commitment to public service; one of the elements of the statement of purpose that is evaluated in selection is the applicant's plan for using this degree to contribute to their own legal system and society after graduation.
Proof of Competency in English 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.
The following minimum English language proficiency test scores will exempt students from Academic English Program (AEP) requirements:
  • 7.0 on the IELTS
  • 92 on the TOEFLiBT
  • 237 on the TOEFLC
  • 580 on the TOEFL
  • 90 on the MLT
  • 65 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Application Fee $75
Law School Admission Test The latest LSAT test date accepted for each admissions cycle is the February LSAT.
Curriculum Vitae Resume must list educational qualifications, work experience, date of admission to legal practice (if applicable) and any other professional affiliations relevant for the application (may be submitted online).

Other Information


Criteria Details
Nature and Tenure of Courses Offered One-year course
Application Procedure/Time to apply/Application deadline Program Domestic Student Deadline* International Student Deadline
Asian Law, Global Business, Sustainable International Development, and General May-01 Feb-01
Health Jun-01 Feb-01
Intellectual Property Jun-01 Feb-01
Taxation Autumn quarter - July 1
Winter quarter - November 1
Spring quarter - February 1		 Feb-01
LL.M. Degree Requirements LL.M. candidates required to have at least two years of professional work experience. This requirement may be waived in special circumstances specific to the applicant.
To earn an LL.M. degree in the Specialized Programs, students are required to get:

Course Requirement
LL.M. in Asia, Global Business and Development U.S. applicants must have a J.D. from a school accredited by the American Bar Association.

International applicants must have a first degree in law (LL.B., B.Law) or equivalent. Those who have passed a bar exam and are practicing lawyers in their own country are usually deemed to have LL.B. equivalence for the purposes of admission to this program.
LL.M. in Health Law Applicants must hold a J.D. or an equivalent degree from a law school that is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and one approved by the American Bar Association.
LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and Policy Applicants must hold a J.D. or an equivalent degree from a law school that is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and one approved by the American Bar Association.
LL.M. in Taxation Applicants must hold a J.D. or an equivalent degree from a law school that is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and one approved by the American Bar Association.

Details of Courses Offered


LL.M. in Asia, Global Business and Development

The LL.M. programs in Asian and Comparative Law, Global Business Law, and General Comparative Law provides advanced specialist courses for lawyers and policy makers who are pursuing careers in Asian, Islamic, international commercial or development law. The program focuses on global and cross-jurisdictional issues in international governance, institution-building, regulation, commercial transactions, and sustainability.

University of Washington Law School classes are uniquely designed to team J.D. and LL.M. and Ph.D. students and Visiting Scholars in the same classroom and often in teams working on practical problems. The unique mix of U.S. and international LL.M. students in one program also provides a valuable reciprocal learning experience.

LL.M. in Health Law

Health Law is a dynamic, growing area of specialized legal practice and the University of Washington is leading the way. Researcher Our Health Law LL.M. Program harnesses the strengths of internationally known schools of law, medicine, public health, and public policy to create a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach for improving individual and global health.

Students benefit from strong core classes and have an opportunity to focus their studies in one of the following concentrations:
    U.S. Health Law and Policy
    Global Health and Justice
    Genomics and Biotechnology

Some of our students have significant practice experience and are seeking to change practice sectors.
Others are recent J.D. graduates seeking the specialty credentials that will launch their career. Many of our international students are sponsored by their governments or companies to bring knowledge and health law capacity to their own country.

LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and Policy

The Intellectual Property Law & Policy Graduate Program provides students with intensive education and training focused on emerging intellectual property legal issues and technological innovation in all fields. Students who study in the IP LL.M. program at the UW benefit from the location, the curriculum, the faculty and the unique student experience.

The University Of Washington School Of Law is located in one of the premier IP-producing regions in the world. Scientists, computer programmers, aerospace engineers, medical researchers, singers and writers--they are all here, developing things that they hope will change the world.

LL.M. in Taxation

The University of Washington School of Law's Graduate Program in Taxation provides a rigorous study of tax law leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation.
The Graduate Program in Taxation admits students on either a full-time or part-time basis. In addition, those interested in taking only a few classes may do so as a non-degree candidate.
Classes are generally scheduled in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate students who work while earning their degree.

Financial Aid


Scholarships
Scholarship assistance for the LL.M. program is limited. Accordingly, applicants should budget sufficient funds to cover at least nine months of study in the program.

International applicants for the LL.M. program are automatically considered for tuition waivers and paid research positions. A small number of these financial assistance awards are made each year. Students in exceptional financial need may submit a statement indicating details of their financial situation with their application.

There are currently extremely limited grants or scholarships available to students in the Health Law LL.M. program. These amounts vary from year to year. If students need scholarship funds, that should be included in their Statement of Purpose submitted with their application.

A limited amount of financial assistance is available to students in the Graduate Program in Intellectual Property Law and Policy. To be eligible, a student must show academic progress and be enrolled as a full-time student in the LL.M. program. Applicants interested in financial assistance should submit a letter to the LTA Director for Academics requesting scholarship assistance. Because scholarship assistance is awarded on an ongoing basis, students who wish to be considered for assistance are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but no later than the time they seek admission to the Graduate Program in Intellectual Property Law and Policy.

The Graduate Program in Taxation awards a limited number of merit-based scholarships annually for domestic students applying for the autumn quarter. All applicants applying on or before July 1 are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.

The Graduate Program in Taxation also offers a limited number of need-based scholarships for applicants applying for autumn quarter. If applicants would like to be considered for a need-based scholarship, then they need to submit a statement (up to two pages, double-spaced) addressing how they plan to utilize an LL.M. in Taxation to further their professional and personal goals. Also they need to address any financial circumstances that limit their ability to attend the Graduate Program in Taxation. In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, applicants must apply on or before July 1 of the year they intend to begin the program.

In addition, up to two Roland Hjorth scholarships may be awarded each year. These scholarships, named after Dean Emeritus and legendary tax professor, Roland Hjorth, are awarded for academic excellence.

Cost of Attendance

Asia, Global Business and Development LL.M
Nonresident tuition for the academic year:

Non-Resident Tuition and other campus fees $34,258.00
Health Insurance (required) $1,884.00
Room and Board $13,812.00
Books and Supplies $1,206.00
Local Transportation $1,296.00
Personal Expenses $2,265.00
Health Law LL.M.
Tuition for the academic year:

Tuition per credit hour $800
UW Technology Fee per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrollment) $41
Service & Activities per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrollment) $120
IMA Bond Fee per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrollment) $35
U-Pass Fee per quarter $76
IP Law LL.M.
Tuition for the academic year:

EXPENSES ACADEMIC YEAR (09 MONTHS) CALENDAR YEAR (12 MONTHS)
Tuition & other campus fees (assuming 40 credits/year)
Tuition ($800 x 40 crs = $32,000)
S&A Fees ($153 x 3 qtrs = $459; x 4 qtrs=$612)
Tech Fee ($41 x 3 qtrs = $123;x 4 qrts=$164) 		$32,582.00 $32,776.00
Health Insurance (required) $1,821.00 $2,428.00
Room and Board $13,812.00 $18,416.00
Books and Supplies $1,206.00 $1,608.00
Local Transportation $1,524.00 $2,032.00
Personal Expenses $2,265.00 $3,020.00
Tax Law LL.M.
Tuition for the academic year:

Description For Credit Non-Credit Non-Credit Tax Alumnae
Fee per credit hour $600 $600 $300
UW Quarterly Fees:

UW Technology Fee per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrolment) $41
Service & Activities per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrolment) $120
IMA Bond Fee per quarter (pro-rated for part-time enrolment) $35
U-Pass Fee per quarter $76

Career Development/Services Offered


The Law School's Center for Professional and Leadership Development offers career workshops and other training events on subjects like networking and job-search strategies to all students, including LL.M. students. The Center's website provides a wealth of job-seeking information, including sample resumes and cover letters.

References