UCLA School of Law is now accepting applications for its Master of Laws (LL.M.) program from those with American J.D. degrees for the first time since the program was created more than 20 years ago. The LL.M. program also will continue to accept graduates of foreign law schools. The application deadline for the fall 2006 semester is March 1.

UCLA School of Law's Master of Laws is a nine-month program designed to provide outstanding juris doctor (J.D.) and bachelor of laws (LL.B.) graduates with the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge in law - beyond their undergraduate or J.D. studies in law. Students can choose to take a variety of courses from UCLA's advanced law curriculum. They also can choose one of three designed concentrations, or they may design their own concentration to meet their specific academic and career objectives.

"In recent years, we've had enormous interest in our LL.M. program from both domestic and foreign candidates," said Michael H. Schill, dean of the UCLA School of Law. "In order to maintain our school's mission to provide the best legal education, we felt that it was essential to revamp our existing LL.M. program and to open it to American law school graduates."

UCLA School of Law's LL.M. program recently was enhanced and also expanded to include up to 50 students, a 300 percent increase over recent years. The program's curriculum will provide students with an intensive, advanced academic experience designed to supplement their previous legal study and their professional experience.

Optional concentrations have been designed in the following subjects:
. Business law (with tracks in corporate law, bankruptcy, securities regulation and tax law).
. International and comparative law.
. Entertainment and media law and policy.


Students also can design their own concentrations based on the broad scholarly expertise that the law faculty offer in a number of areas:
. Public interest law and policy.
. Environmental law.
. Critical race studies and the law.
. Native nations (tribal) law and policy.
. Sexual orientation law and policy.
. Real estate law.

"With our diverse academic programs, world-renowned faculty and innovative approach, UCLA Law School of Law has achieved a reputation for excellence," said Lara Stemple, director of graduate studies at the school. "We're pleased to be able to offer LL.M. students an interdisciplinary approach to legal studies with a dynamic, flexible curriculum that appeals to a wide range of interests."

UCLA School of Law LL.M. students will begin their studies with an orientation program in August. Graduates of foreign law schools also take a special LL.M. seminar during the fall term. Besides those requirements, there are no requisite courses, and students are able to choose from a diverse array of offerings that will enable them to fulfill their academic and professional objectives. Students have the option of writing an LL.M. thesis under the guidance of a UCLA Law faculty member.

Upon satisfactorily completing 20 semester hours of class credit over two semesters, students will receive the LL.M. degree. Additionally, students who complete the necessary requirements of a specialized concentration will receive recognition on their diploma and transcript.

About UCLA School of Law
Founded in 1949, UCLA School of Law is the youngest major law school in the nation and has established a tradition of innovation in its approach to teaching, research and scholarship. With approximately 100 faculty and 970 students, the school pioneered clinical teaching, is a leader in interdisciplinary research and training, and is at the forefront of efforts to link research to society and the legal profession.

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