Boston University School of Law

Introduction

Boston University School of Law (BU Law) has been educating lawyers for the future since 1872. Its faculty is nationally renowned for exceptional teaching and scholarly excellence. The school is located in the LEED Gold-certified Sumner M. Redstone Building, right in the heart of Boston, which serves as both the state capital and a major economic and cultural hub. This vibrant setting enriches the educational experience for students, providing them with a wide range of entertainment options and a vast array of employment opportunities upon graduation.

At the core of the BU Law experience is a focus on superior teaching and a supportive, interactive learning environment. The professors are dedicated to guiding, inspiring, and challenging students, and they are committed not only to academic success but also to their professional and personal development. 

The BU Law difference begins in the classroom, where students learn from a top-tier faculty composed of distinguished scholars and seasoned practitioners, including law firm partners, in-house counsel, judges, advisors, consultants, and government officials. These professors are approachable and skilled at blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. They are committed to helping students advance their careers. 

The superior value of a BU Law degree is recognized worldwide, with LLM graduates being at highly global firms, corporations, and organizations, many of whom live and practice in over 65 countries outside of the US. Our students gain access to this extensive alumni network of over 24,000 graduates who are involved in nearly every area of legal practice worldwide, including law firms of all sizes, federal, state, and local government agencies, the business sector, nonprofit organizations, the judiciary, and academia. This expansive network provides invaluable resources, mentorship, and career opportunities, ensuring that BU Law graduates are part of a community that includes some of the best and brightest minds in the legal field.

Physical Facilities

• The Law Complex: The Sumner M. Redstone building, connected to the fully modernized Law Tower, is a 100,000-square-foot, five-story structure that houses most of the law school's classrooms. These classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enhancing the learning experience. The Redstone Building has also expanded the study space in the Pappas Law Library and provides facilities to support clinical, transactional, and professional training programs. An expansive entrance features a glass-enclosed atrium, which serves as the heart and social hub of the complex. Student locker facilities, lounges, a small dining facility, other student services, and informal meeting spaces can be found throughout the building.
• Libraries: The Samuel M. Fineman and Pappas Law Libraries are among the nation's top libraries, with rich collections, spectacular updated facilities, and one of the most extensive legal research training programs in the country. Students may also use other Boston University libraries, including the Mugar Memorial Library, adjacent to BU Law.
• Wellness and Entertainment: BU's world-class, state-of-the-art Fitness and Recreation Center and the adjacent Agganis Arena, one of the top music and entertainment venues in New England, provide students with unrivaled opportunities to keep their bodies and minds fit.
• Technology: Students have access to LexisNexis, Westlaw, and various web-based research resources. LLM students also have free access to many computing resources through Boston University's Office of Information Services and Technology.

Housing

BU Law students have both on-campus and off-campus housing options. The BU campus provides several graduate residential communities, offering various living arrangements from shared spaces to private apartments.

However, most BU Law students opt for non-university-affiliated housing in neighborhoods near the Law Complex. This allows students to live close to the school while enjoying the amenities and culture of the surrounding areas.

Students with families can access resources through the Boston University Family Resources Office, designed to help them maintain a healthy work-life balance. The office's website provides information on babysitting services, local schools, and early childhood learning centers, offering essential support for students managing family and academic responsibilities.

LLM Programs/Areas of Specialization

LLM in American Law Program

Best for lawyers trained outside the United States, this full-time LLM program serves as a comprehensive introduction to the US legal system. It provides an immersive experience in common law studies, with the flexibility to choose from the school’s 200+ JD and LLM only course offerings and direct access to one of America’s top teaching faculty members. Ideal for students aiming to qualify for US bar exams, transfer to a JD program, gain practical legal experience, or explore new practice areas, the program offers optional concentrations in International Business Practice, Intellectual Property, and Taxation.

LLM in Banking and Financial Law

This program is the first banking and financial services LLM program in the United States with its own faculty and a curriculum of specialized courses designed exclusively for graduate study. The faculty primarily consists of highly experienced practitioners from the private and public financial services sector who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge with students in this dynamic, rapidly changing field. Best for lawyers seeking advanced training and to gain a global perspective in financial services law, the program provides students with versatile learning formats, including residential or online, and full-time and part-time scheduling options. It is designed for those who want to work in financial institutions and central banks, have an internship during their studies, qualify for a US bar exam, and/or explore new practice areas.

LLM in Intellectual Property Law & Information Law

Best for lawyers seeking to enhance their expertise in IP law and who want to become experts in copyright law, patent law, and trademark and unfair competition law. Boston is a global hub for IP education, where the world comes together to learn and grow. Our city serves as an epicenter of innovation and discovery, nurturing cutting-edge companies across high-tech, biotech, life sciences, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, our expansive IP law curriculum offers a range of courses and seminars examining the economic, ethical, and social issues arising from the creation and ownership of intangible assets. Designed with the ever-changing IP landscape in mind, this program is for those who want to be at the forefront of IP law, gain practical experience from leading Boston-based IP experts, and/or deepen their understanding in this field.

Graduate Tax Program

The Graduate Tax Program at Boston University School of Law is one of the nation’s first and most esteemed graduate tax programs, offering a comprehensive portfolio with the LLM in Taxation and Master in the Study of Tax Law (for non-lawyers). Designed for lawyers and tax professionals looking to advance in tax law or corporate transactional practice with a tax focus, the program features exclusive networking opportunities with top firms, corporations, and organizations crucial for career advancement and job placement. It offers versatile learning formats, including residential and online options, and accommodates full-time and part-time schedules. Whether enhancing expertise in tax law, pursuing internships, shifting mid-career into tax specialization, or deepening focus within specific tax areas, BU Law’s program caters to diverse professional aspirations.

Two-Year LLM Program

Ideal for lawyers whose first language is not English and who aim to establish a robust foundation in legal skills, strategies, proficiency in legal English, and cultural insight within a legal English environment. The first year focuses on expanding legal English vocabulary, legal writing, case analysis, and advocacy skills. 

The second year focuses on specialized classes from the LLM degree in American Law, Intellectual Property, Banking and Financial Law, or Tax Law. It is also available for non-lawyers who seek to pursue a Master in the Study of Tax Law. 

This extended timeframe facilitates a more thorough exploration of complex legal topics and enables students to pursue specialized coursework tailored to their career objectives. Whether focusing on international business law, intellectual property, or other specialized areas, students benefit from a diverse range of elective courses and experiential learning opportunities.

Estate Planning Certificate

BU Law also offers an Estate Planning Certificate available in online and residential formats, on a part-time basis only. This 12-credit certificate program is specifically designed for professionals who are seeking enhanced, specialized tax knowledge in the legal sub-specialty of estate planning. Students can improve their knowledge and practice without the full commitment or cost of a degree. Those who complete a certificate program and meet the corresponding LLM degree admissions requirements can apply their certificate credits toward the full LLM degree. The program courses are taught by the same leading tax and estate planning experts who teach in the Graduate Tax Program. BU Law welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with relevant academic and/or professional experience in a legal services or other related field.

Legal English with CELOP

For international LLM students seeking preparation for their upcoming graduate studies in the US, Boston University's Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP) offers a six-week pre-LLM Summer Program in Legal English designed to provide students with the language and academic skills needed to succeed in a demanding LLM program. Through small-class instruction, students build their legal English vocabularies, strengthen their writing skills, receive exposure to the fundamental doctrine of the American legal system, and become acquainted with the materials, methodologies, and culture of American law school instruction. The program runs from early July to mid-August and is open to all internationally educated lawyers who have been admitted into an LLM program at a US law school in the upcoming fall semester.

Eligibility and Application Information

To be eligible to apply to our LLM programs, domestic and international applicants must hold a first degree in law, or its equivalent, from an accredited or comparably recognized law school or law faculty outside of the US at the time of matriculation. For those who do not possess a first degree in law, admission to the national bar of certain jurisdictions may also meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Master in the Study of Tax Law program is an option for those who hold a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. Additionally, the Estate Planning Certificate program is open to lawyers and non-lawyers. 

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Please review the steps to apply on LSAC's website. Once registered, you can access the Boston University degree program application. 

We require the following application materials:

• Completed LSAC Application form
• Application fee of $85
• Personal Statement of Interest
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Official, Sealed Academic Records sent through the LSAC service
• Two Letters of Recommendation sent through the LSAC service
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) in the form of an original, official score report (only for international applicants)

English Language Proficiency Score

An English proficiency exam is a requirement for our international students.  We require proof of English language proficiency, either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). We require a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL and 7.0 on IELTS.

Candidates who receive a score below the required minimum on all English proficiency exams are still encouraged to apply to the program since we utilize a holistic approach when reviewing applications and no one aspect of an application will preclude you from admission.

Applicants to the Two-Year LLM Programs must submit an English Proficiency Score of 85 TOEFL / 5.5 IELTS to be considered for admission, as the curriculum is designed to improve English and legal English skills over the first year.

For additional information about BU Law graduate programs and the application process, visit the website or contact bullm@bu.edu.

A Diverse and Dynamic Academic Community

BU Law boasts a vibrant and diverse academic and legal community where students and professors come from across the globe and from various personal and professional backgrounds. Our inclusive learning environment values the knowledge each individual brings, fostering a dynamic, engaging, and enriching experience – in and out of the classroom.

BU Law encourages their students to enrich their experiences by participating in extracurricular activities, student organizations, community service, and other pursuits that will contribute to their intellectual, professional, and personal growth. LLM students may join any of the 30-plus student organizations at the law school and the 450+ at the university level.

A Commitment to Success

BU Law students have access to a wealth of resources inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout the academic and professional journey, students benefit from the support of highly supportive, accessible, and knowledgeable professors. BU Law is deeply invested in the student experience from start to finish through comprehensive and unwavering support. Engage with distinguished guest speakers, attend panels, explore employment fairs, connect with Bar Associations, and participate in various learning and networking events. In addition, during your job search, you are guided by BU Law's experienced Professional Development staff, who offer expert advice tailored to your professional background and career goals. This commitment ensures that you are never alone in your pursuit of opportunities.

Scholarships

BU Law offers generous financial support to a select number of applicants who have demonstrated notable academic and professional achievements. All full-time residential program applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Public service sector applicants for the full-time online LLM program are also automatically considered for scholarships. There is no separate application process for scholarships. BU Law also provides all admitted students with many resources to support further financing of their studies.