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University of California, Berkeley School of Law

MAILING ADDRESS
2850 Telegraph Ave, Suite 500 #7220
Berkeley, CA 94705-7220
MAIN PHONE
510-642-3771
WEBSITE
http://www.law.berkeley.edu
ADMISSIONS EMAIL:
llm@law.berkeley.edu
REGISTRAR'S PHONE/FAX/EMAIL:
510-642-2278/510-642-2277/
registrar@law.berkeley.edu
CAREER SERVICE PHONE/FAX/EMAIL:
510-642-4567/510-643-5370/
career@law.berkeley.edu

An Overview


In 1882 William Carey Jones, grandson of Senator Thomas Hart Benton and nephew of Explorer John C. Fremont, a young professor in the Latin Department taught a class in Roman law, the first law course offered at Berkeley campus.

As an 1875 graduate of the University of California, He was one of the first students to attend classes on the Berkeley campus when the university moved from its original place in downtown Oakland. Jones "read the law" with the intention to become an attorney (like his father before him); He was then influenced by UC Regent Horatio Stebbins to join the university administration. In 1877, he was appointed as instructor in Latin because of his strong background in classics. Five years later, he brought two fields of interest together in the initial course of Roman law.

University of California, Berkeley School of Law (also commonly known as Boalt Hall or Berkely Law) is one of the most selective law schools in the nation. More than 7000 prospective J.D. students apply annually, out of which it enrolls about 270.When it comes to choosing their students they don't stop at brilliance; they drill down important qualities including respect for others, maturity and purpose. Students with interesting work experience or graduate education under their belts are given preference.

They offer excellent education in both established and emerging fields of law. Their intellectual property program was the first of its kind, and it remains dominant more than a decade later. They were legal pioneers of the green movement, creating the nation's first environment law program. Their international law experts are tackling urgent issues like climate change, deep-ocean drilling and privacy in an age of high-tech surveillance; their multifaceted social justice program is a magnet for socially minded faculty and students from across the country.

Degrees Offered
LL.M. students can earn certificates of specialization in one of several subjects:
  • Business Law (both tracks)
  • Law & Technology (both tracks)
  • Environmental Law (traditional track only)
  • Energy & Clean Technology (traditional track only)
  • International Law (traditional track only)

Admission Information


Requirements Details
Eligibility International applicants for the LL.M. program must hold an undergraduate or graduate law degree (LL.B., LL.M., etc.) from a foreign institution, and have an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score if English is not their primary language. American LL.M. applicants must hold a J.D. degree from an accredited U.S. law school.

J.S.D. applicants must hold an LL.M. degree from an accredited U.S. law school, and submit academic records of all law coursework completed when applied. If admitted applicants need to send final transcripts, showing the degree awarded before starting the first semester at Berkeley Law.
Transcripts Applicants must submit official academic records showing graded course work, dates of enrollment and awarded degree(s). A certified copy of the actual degree certificate or state examination for all university and law school study is also required; if this information is not included on the academic records. The records should be sent directly from the issuing institution i.e. the university attended or government-authorized body, such as the Ministry of Education. If this is not customary for the institution where their records are held, use the university's Transcript Request form. Only one set of official transcripts required when they apply.
Letters of Recommendation Berkeley Law requires two letters of recommendation, preferably letters from law professors. If the student has been out of school for five or more years, a professional note from one current or former employer is proper, in addition to the letter from a law professor. Applicants may give one additional academic or professional letter if they wish to do so. To submit letters of recommendation to LSAC's LLM CAS Document Assembly Service, their required recommendation form can be used and the letters should be sent directly to LSAC.
Personal Statement One written essay is necessary by all applicants, limited to three pages of double-spaced text and written without assistance of others. The personal statement should describe their legal interests, reasons to study at Berkeley Law, and professional plans or goals after the completion of degree. Since the Advanced Degree Programs Committee does not grant interviews, they may also use the statement to describe aspects of themselves that are not clear from their application
Proof of Competency in English The minimum score required is 100 on the internet-based test (IBT) or 600 on the paper-based test (PBT).

As a substitution, they may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the IELTS.
Application Fee $75.00
Law School Admission Test N/A
Curriculum Vitae The Curriculum Vitae should provide a synopsis of, their educational and academic background and skills. This should include professional experience, research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and other relevant details.

Other Information


Criteria Details
Nature and Tenure of Courses Offered Nine-month academic year
Application Procedure/Time to apply/Application deadline December 15, 11:59pm Pacific Time.
LL.M. Degree Requirements Applicants for the Master of Laws program must have completed a regular curriculum at an accredited college and/or law school. They should also hold a professional degree from a law school by the time they begin the LL.M. program at Berkeley Law. Degrees which meet this need include J.D., LL.B., and Bachelor of Laws.
Berkeley Law does not have a specific minimum GPA requirement for LL.M.
To earn an LL.M. degree in the Specialized Programs, students are required to get:

Course Requirement
Energy & Clean Technology Certificate Students must fulfill at least 16 units from the courses listed below. They are encouraged to take a balanced load of courses, but must take Energy Regulation and the Environment (3 units).

LL.M. Law & Technology Certificate UCBLS is now offering a specialized certificate program for Berkely's LL.M. students. To receive the Certificate upon graduation, students need to fulfil both curricular and extracurricular requirements. The curriculum requires depth and breadth of coverage, and affords students real flexibility in adapting their course of study toward a range of career paths at the growing intersection of law and technology.
LL.M. Business Law Certificate Completion of the foundational 250 Business Associations course (while offered each semester, this course is a prerequisite for many other Business Law Certificate requirements so it is strongly recommended that students pursuing the Certificate enroll in Business Associations in the Fall semester)
Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law Either Environmental Law and Policy (LAW 271) or International Environmental Law (Law 271.71)

Either Administrative Law (LAW 223) or International Law (Law261);

At least two additional environmental law courses that total at least four units (qualifying courses are listed on the form; one of these classes may be a public law class, also listed on the form); and a research paper on an environmental topic.

Details of Courses Offered


Berkeley Law LL.M. students, have the option of earning a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law. The specialized curricular program ensures that students develop a broad background in fundamental areas of law while receiving advanced training in environmental law. Those who meet the requirements are awarded the Certificate at graduation. This may offer students an advantage in applying for employment positions in the environmental, land use and natural resources fields.

Students may undertake a specialization in International law. This curricular program ensures students develop broad background in fundamental areas of law while receiving advanced training in international law. Students who meet the requirements are awarded a Certificate of Specialization in International Law.

The Business Law LL.M. Certificate program allows LL.M. students to receive recognition for successful completion of a course, to prepare for professional practice as legal advisors to businesses, business -oriented NGOs, and to government entities. This curricular program requires students to develop a background in fundamental areas of business law. Students completing the program will have expertise and a foundation for a professional practice.

Financial Aid


  • LL.M. Professional Track Scholarships: The Guzman Professional Track Scholarship was developed to encourage enrollment of students from Africa, seeking advanced legal education at Berkeley Law.
  • LL.M. Traditional Track Scholarships: Berkeley Law offers a competitive $15,000 scholarship program for admitted LL.M. students with superior academic credentials, for whom Berkeley Law is their first choice. As funds are limited, the Scholarship can only be provided to a few outstanding applicants each year.
  • Students Eligible for Federal Student Loans: Professional LL.M. students may be eligible to apply for federal Direct Loans to assist them with paying for their summer program costs. To determine eligibility for the federal loan program, students must file the FAFSA by June 30 for each summer term. FAFSA-eligible Professional LL.M. students may be able to borrow a combined maximum of $20,500 (depending on whether students already borrowed from the federal loan program during the prior academic year) in subsidized and unsubsidized loans and Graduate Plus loan up to the balance of cost of education for the summer.

Other Possible Funding Resources for International Students

  • American Association of University Women Educational Foundation Fellowships and Grants
  • Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program: "micro-grants" for students in Human Rights area
  • Australian Federation of University Women Scholarships
  • Becas Chile (scholarships for Chilean graduate students)
  • DAAD Scholarships for German Citizens (not available to Professional LL.M. students)
  • Daimler Benz Foundation (Stipends for German doctoral students studying in the U.S.)
  • Edmund S. Muskie and Freedom Support Act Graduate Fellowship Programs
  • Fondo Per Studenti Italiani (The Italian Student Loan Fund)
  • Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)
  • Fulbright Program for Foreign Students
  • Fulbright Grants for Israeli Doctoral Students
  • Fulbright Grants for Students from Turkey
  • Fulbright Program for Students from the Middle East and North Africa
  • Fundacao Estudar (Scholarships for Brazilian students)
  • Golden Key National Honor Society Member Scholarships
  • International Federation of University Women (Scholarships for women from Australia, France, Great Britain, India, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland and U.S.A.)
  • Japanese Association of University Women
  • King Abdullah Scholarship Program (Saudi Arabia)
  • Kosciuszko Foundation Fellowships & Grants for Polish Citizens
  • Mackenzie King Scholarships for Canadians
  • Organization of Istanbul Armenians Scholarship
  • P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women
  • Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships
  • World Bank Group Family Network - "Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund" (MMMF)
  • World Bank Scholarships Program
  • WorldWideStudies (for students from Ukraine)

Cost of Attendance

Tuition and Fees

Tuition & Fees $51,050
Rent /Utilities ($1,198 per month)* $10,782
Food ($749 per month) $6,742
Books & Supplies $1,496
Personal ($196 per month) $1,764
Transportation ($308 per month) $2,772

Career Development/Services Offered


The university Career Development Office has nine attorney-counsellors; each has practiced law and can offer real-world insights into various career paths. They now include an attorney for a non-profit organization providing help to the poor, a former executive director of a grass-roots advocacy organization for social change, a former government lawyer, a former partner in a large law firm, and a former small firm practitioner.

The counsellors can help students create three years of custom-tailored education and experiences, here at Berkeley Law that will help springboard their dream career.

Targeted Career Planning

Counsellors help students explore a variety of legal career options; both traditional and nontraditional that determines the best methods for pursuing those options.