Penn State Dickinson Law delivers a widely regarded LL.M. degree program which is recognized globally and can be studied with a degree of flexibility - allowing students to tailor their learning to their own interests. Studying alongside J.D. students, LL.M. students enroll in a wide variety of courses that allows concentration in certain types of law or law-related topics.
The LL.M. program is designed to support students with developing a high-level understanding of the U.S. legal system.
The LL.M. program at Penn State Dickinson Law is to be completed in one academic-year (or two semesters.) Students may stay for a third semester with the intent of completing an experiential learning program or preparing for a U.S. bar exam. The Dickinson Law curriculum provides all coursework necessary to sit for the New York bar examination.
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Throughout its rich 40-year history, the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at Dickinson Law has welcomed students from around the world who have come to advance their legal careers through direct access to world-class litigators and legal scholars, extensive opportunities for hands-on learning, and varied opportunities for academic concentration and scholarship.
The Dickinson Law campus is located in Carlisle, PA, which is a small town of around 20,000 people. Carlisle is home to a great diversity of residents and institutions, with plenty of amenities and attractions along with a refreshingly low cost of living.
The campus sits within a region of natural beauty and diverse culture. Carlisle itself has a wonderful historic charm, with a wide selection of markets, galleries and shops as well as a variety of restaurants and places to relax. Dickinson Law is close to Harrisburg, the capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and its judicial, legislative, and executive offices. Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York City are all readily accessible by road or rail, giving students access to significant professional employment markets.
Students must earn a minimum of 24 credits. LL.M. students have a rich variety of courses offered within the school’s impressive curriculum, and must enroll in a focused study program in one of the following specialized fields:
- Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation
- Business Law
- Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Cyber Law, Data Privacy, and Information Security
- Elder Law
- Government Law & Policy
- Health Law and Policy
- Intellectual Property and Innovation
- International Trial Advocacy
- Organizing for Social Justice
- Public Interest Law
- Security Law
- Tax Law
- Trial Advocacy and Litigation
The LL.M. program at Penn State Dickinson Law is highly selective with a limited number of well-qualified students admitted each year. To be considered for admission, applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing, a first professional degree in law. This is generally a J.D. from an ABA-approved, U.S. law school or the equivalent to the J.D. from an international law school. Successful applicants are often licensed to practice law and have significant professional experience in legal practice. Applicants must provide evidence of either a TOEFL score report of 88 or higher, a IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, or equivalent.
For admission to the LL.M. program, applicants must submit an application via the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Only complete and verified applications received from LSAC will be reviewed. Dickinson Law does not assess any application fees.