Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Introduction

Elevate your legal career at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, where you’ll receive a top-tier legal education that prepares you to become the ethical and principled leader the world needs today.

LL.M. in U.S. Law

Villanova Law's LLM in US Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers is tailored for graduate students who have earned a law degree, such as an LLB, from a country outside the United States. This program is designed to help graduates gain expertise in US law, the American legal system and legal practice. It also provides a pathway for qualifying to sit for the bar exam in US jurisdictions that permit foreign-trained lawyers to apply, once specific educational requirements are met. Graduates who return to their home countries will be well-prepared to offer US law expertise and support international businesses.

Program Requirements

• Priority Application Deadline: May 1st
• LSAC Credential Assembly Service
• Minimum of 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Personal Statement
• TOEFL or IELTS Scores 

Curriculum 

The LLM in US Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers consists of one year of full-time study, completed across two semesters. Students are required to complete at least 24 credits.

The curriculum includes two mandatory courses:

• Introduction to US Law and the US Legal System (2 credits)
• Legal Writing & Research for the US Legal System (3 credits)

The remaining 19 credits can be earned through non-clinical courses within the JD program. The International Programs team will assist students in curating an academic plan tailored to their individual academic and professional goals.

Facilities

In 2009, the Law School moved to its current home, John F. Scarpa Hall—a 175,000-square-foot building that features state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities and a 500,000-volume law library. The building was designed with students’ needs in mind and boasts high-tech courtrooms, a cafeteria and a coffee bar. The building is also LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold-certified. 

Location

Situated 12 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, Villanova Law offers students the best of both worlds—a picturesque suburban location that is a short regional train ride away from one of the nation’s most dynamic cities. With a train stop just steps from the law school building, the City of Brotherly Love is only minutes away.

Philadelphia—the fifth-largest city in the United States—is conveniently located in the middle of the Northeast Corridor, in close proximity to New York City (100 miles north) and Washington, D.C. (133 miles south). Home to some of the largest companies and most prestigious law firms in the nation, Philadelphia is one of the East Coast’s primary legal job markets, offering students access to externships, summer clerkships, pro bono work, and postgraduate careers. The Villanova Law presence is strong in the Philadelphia region, with an active alumni network ready to welcome and mentor graduates as they find their place in the law.

Student Community

With over 40 student groups covering a wide array of academic interests, there are numerous opportunities for engagement and inclusion. Villanova Law has a close-knit student body of fewer than 600 students, supported by over 45 full-time faculty members. This intimate community fosters stimulating academic discussions in a collegial and supportive atmosphere.

Contact Information

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
299 N. Spring Mill Road
Villanova, PA 19085
internationalprogram@law.villanova.edu