Texas Southern University—Thurgood Marshall School of Law

LLM Program in Immigration and Naturalization Law

Beginning in the fall of 2016, Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) offers a fully approved LLM program focused on immigration and naturalization law. This is the first LLM program of its kind in the nation devoted to immigration and naturalization law.

The mission of the degree program is to further the law school’s commitment to excellence by providing specialized academic and practical legal training for law graduates, to equip them with an array of skills required to effectively practice, identify and solve complex problems, and participate in policy making in the field of immigration and naturalization law.

The LLM in Immigration and Naturalization Law is a 24-credit degree program that can be completed in one academic year as a full-time student or in two academic years as a part-time student. Minimum semester course load, six (6) hours. Maximum semester course load, Twelve (12) hours.

Admission

Applications for the LLM Program are accepted as of September 15 each year and are considered until the Program is full. An applicant for the LLM Program may apply for admission to begin in either the Fall or Spring semester, full or part-time.

Applicants who wish to begin in the Spring Semester are advised to apply as early as possible but no later than December 15.

Applicants who wish to begin in the Fall Semester are advised to apply as early as possible but no later than July 15.

Applicants to the LLM Program must hold a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school, or if a foreign applicant, either a J.D. or an LL.B. from an accredited law school in the jurisdiction where it is located.

Domestic Applicants:

Domestic applicants to the LLM Program must furnish an official transcript showing the award of their law degree as well as the other required documents: personal/narrative statement, current resume, 2 letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

While there is no LSAT requirement for LLM applicants, if the candidate has in fact taken the LSAT, the CAS report with scores should be submitted.

Foreign Applicants:

Foreign applicants to the LLM Program must register for LSAC’s LSDAS Service and furnish, for evaluation, an official transcript showing the award of their law degree with notarized translation if the transcript is not in English. In addition, all international applicants must register for LSAC’s International Authentication and Evaluation Service and submit all foreign transcripts for evaluation through that Service.

As part of the online application, a personal/narrative statement, current resume, and 2 letters of recommendation must be included.

Lastly, all international applicants (JD & LLM) whose first language is not English, or whose academic instruction (undergraduate or law) was not in English, must furnish evidence of their language proficiency.

The Law School will accept any of the following:

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• Duolingo English Test

Financial Aid

Thurgood Marshall School of Law recognizes that financing a legal education represents a sizeable investment in your future. While the primary responsibilities of financing your legal education rests with you and your family, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is available to assist you in financing your legal education at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Our staff is available to meet with you to assist in the application process, counsel you on the variety of financing options available, assist in completing the paperwork required for financial aid, and to assess of your loan eligibility.

Financial aid may consist of funding from a variety of sources and may include loans, scholarships, grants and work-study. The components of a financial aid award are determined by financial need, program of study, and federal, state or institutional eligibility standards.

To successfully manage your financial aid, we recommend that you apply early and consider all of the financing options available to you. It is important to maintain accurate records and pay strict attention to deadlines. An applicant in need of other financial assistance should make arrangements for financial aid through the law school financial aid counselor by either calling 713.313.7243 or emailing karen.percival@tmslaw.tsu.edu.

LLM Fast Facts

Why should I pursue an LLM in Immigration and Naturalization Law?
To get in on the heat.

Let’s face it: Immigration reform is simply HOT. It is one of the most disputed public policy issues facing our country. A heated national debate over immigration reform has spanned for multiple years, with no end in sight. Immigration and naturalization law and policy responds to a number of complex, competing demands and interests that touch on contested conceptions of national identity, class and socioeconomic status, and other related issues.

Career Development

Immigration and naturalization law have proven to be a field of increasing importance, and is an area of law practiced by a significant percentage of our TMSL graduates. As significant economic, social and other disparities continue to exist, and in many cases, increase among the states and around this nation, so will the need for lawyers with in-depth knowledge of immigration and naturalization law.

Why should I pursue my LLM at Thurgood Marshall School of Law?

Affordable Tuition

$16,581.84* tuition and fees (in-state students only) for intensive 24 credit hour program.
$22,197.84* out-of-state/foreign for intensive 24 credit program.

*An additional charge is made for required health insurance for international students unless the student has evidence of coverage.

Our National Recognition for Diversity

Historically, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law was created to be anything but diverse. With a total enrollment of 85% students of color, we tower over other law schools in mirroring our nation’s mix for racial diversity. We enroll classes that are more diverse than you will find anywhere in the country.

Our Faculty

Our LLM students will experience courses taught by leading immigration practitioners, judges and professors who are dedicated to the pursuit of ensuring that each student has the opportunity to make meaningful progress in acquiring and employing the knowledge, skills, and values for successful lawyering outcomes. We have a faculty-student ratio that provides real opportunities for meaningful and individualized learning conversations.

Our Academic Community

Our LLM program builds on the success of our procedural, substantive and practical aspects of our Institute for International and Immigration Law certificate program. We are proud of our sound curriculum which has considered both doctrinal learning and the practical aspects of lawyering through our value-added immigration externship, immigration law workshops, and our comprehensive CLE series ranging from immigration basics to the impact of immigration on law on labor & employment, family law, criminal law, taxation and international business.