Why Choose the Syracuse University LL.M. Program?

Why Choose the Syracuse University LL.M. Program?

• Develop your professional persona as you combine learning the law with professional development support and practical experiences like our Job Shadow Program.
• Central New York provides a low cost-of-living in a vibrant campus community; and all students are considered for merit scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition.
• Enjoy academic advising and support from a personal faculty advisor, peer student mentors, and LL.M. program staff.
• Two required courses teach you the foundations of the American legal system and legal writing while allowing for significant flexibility in choosing from over 100 elective courses.
• Our LL.M. students participate in student government of the College and join our 30+ student organizations and affinity groups.
• Our special “Bar Prep Track” provides special advising and courses for students who desire to take an eligible bar exam in the U.S. PLUS the innovative Helix Bar Prep program is offered free of charge.

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) in Law Program

Graduate students who have already completed an LL.M. degree program at an ABA-accredited law school within the United States can continue their career in academia with the College of Law’s Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), a research-focused doctorate program comparable to a Ph.D. in other disciplines.

Program Summary

Each S.J.D. student is paired with a faculty advisor who is an expert in their field. During your first year, spent “in residence” at the College of Law, you will enroll in the required S.J.D. Colloquium Course, which draws on various topics to help you develop your academic writing and research skills. Subsequent years are spent on course work, field research, and other dissertation research activities in collaboration with your faculty advisor. These efforts culminate with a successful defense of a dissertation that makes a substantial contribution to legal scholarship. You can complete the degree in a minimum of 3 years or may take up to 5 years.

Take advantage of the benefits that a top-tier R1 private research university has to offer, with the opportunity to enroll in up to 12 credits in courses in other graduate programs at Syracuse University. We also have a network of foreign universities and partner institutions that can host S.J.D. students during their research on short-term or longer-term research visits.

Complete the form on this page to learn more.

Paying for Law School

Tuition

Your cost of attendance will depend on the length of your course of study. For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition for the two-semester track is $55,140.

Scholarships

Syracuse University College of Law will consider all students for merit scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition. There is no separate scholarship application. There are also many opportunities to apply for outside scholarships. Contact the College of Law Financial Aid Office for more information on these outside scholarship opportunities.

Student Loans

Candidates who are either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. are eligible to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), in order to obtain Federal Direct Student Loans.

Private Loans

Candidates may apply for private educational financing opportunities through lenders like MPOWER and Sallie Mae. Private loans are credit-based and offer fixed-rate or variable-rate options. Most require a U.S. based cosigner.

Partnership Opportunities

The College of Law is a host institution to a variety of government and non-profit sponsoring organizations, including the Fulbright Program and the Organization of American States.