Policies

LLM candidates may not take any courses at other law schools. They may take for Law School credit no more than nine (9) quarter units worth of courses elsewhere in the University and may not take any foreign or English language courses for Law School credit. Students may refer to the list of courses pre-approved for law credit opens in a new tab; for any course not on the list, students will need to petition for non-law credit through the SLS Registrar.

The general requirements for the degree of Master of Laws are:

• Successful completion of at least 35 approved quarter units, including specific course requirements;

• Three quarters of residency;

• Timely filing of an application for graduation.

• Each LLM program has further specific course requirements as outlined below.

Unit Requirements:

To obtain an LLM degree, students must complete at least 35 but no more than 45 approved quarter units of course work. At least 26 of these units must be in Law School courses; however, see below for the policies and limitations on enrolling in courses from elsewhere in the University, and see the section on the California or New York bar exam for special unit requirements for students expecting to sit for the Bar Exam in California or New York.  If there is any possibility whatsoever that you might sit for the California or New York Bar Exams, we strongly encourage you to consult with the Director of Academic Success. The requirements for sitting for these exams (including, but not limited to, courses that must be taken in advance) are very complicated and change frequently. So it is essential that you seek guidance.

LLM candidates are subject to the following criteria with regards to course selection:

• LLM candidates may not take more than forty-five (45) units while enrolled at Stanford Law School. All units taken at Stanford Law School or Stanford University count toward this total, whether or not these units are taken for credit toward the degree.

• LLM candidates may not take any courses that are required as part of the first quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum and must petition for permission to take any courses that are required as part of the second or third quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum.

• LLM candidates generally cannot avail themselves of the “clinical quarter.” However, in exceptional circumstances and with permission of the clinical instructor and the LLM teaching fellow for the relevant program, this restriction may be waived. Students receiving such an exception will be required to satisfy all other course requirements for their degree.

To receive the LLM degree, students must complete at least 3 quarters in residence. A minimum of 26 of these units must come from Stanford School of Law coursework. For purposes of the LLM degree, the term “in residence” means that a student:

• Takes at least 9 quarter units of credit that can be counted toward the degree each quarter.

• By the date all grades for the quarter are due, passes at least 8 units each quarter.

• Pays full tuition to the law school

• Does not work more than 20 hours per week during the term. (See section entitled ‘Limitations on Working’ for more information.)

A student must be in residence during the quarter in which the final degree is conferred or in the quarter immediately preceding degree conferral.

Students considering sitting for the California or New York Bar Exams are strongly encouraged to consult with the Director of Academic Success. The requirements for sitting for these exams (including, but not limited to, courses that must be taken in advance) are very complicated and change frequently. So it is essential that you seek guidance.

LLM candidates are subject to the following limitations on course selection:

• LLM candidates may not take more than forty-five (45) units while enrolled at Stanford Law School. All units taken at Stanford Law School or Stanford University count toward this total, whether or not these units are taken for credit toward the degree.

• LLM candidates may not take any courses that are required as part of the first quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum and must petition for permission to take any courses that are required as part of the second or third quarter of the first year of the JD curriculum.

• LLM candidates may not take any courses at other law schools.

• LLM candidates may take for Law School credit no more than nine (9) quarter units worth of courses elsewhere in the University and may not take any foreign or English language courses for Law School credit.

• LLM candidates generally cannot avail themselves of the “clinical quarter.” However, in exceptional circumstances and with permission of the clinical instructor and the LLM teaching fellow for the relevant program, this restriction may be waived. Students receiving such an exception will be required to satisfy all other course requirements for their degree.