LL.M. Program
Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of LL.M. can I get at Capital?
What concentrations are available to students in the LL.M. in Business program?
What is the benefit of an LL.M.?
What kinds of employers hire CULS LL.M. alumni?
What does it take to earn an LL.M.?
What is a joint J.D./LL.M. program?
What about students who did not earn their J.D. at CULS?
What is the tuition rate for an LL.M.?
How long does a student have to complete an LL.M.?
Can an alumnus/alumnae or practicing lawyer take graduate classes without being enrolled in an LL.M. program?
What is the cost to apply?
When can a student apply for the joint degree program?
What courses must a student take to be admitted to the LL.M. program?
What services are available to LL.M. students?
Who advises LL.M. students?
Can LL.M. students work while enrolled in one of the LL.M. degree programs?
Can an LL.M. be completed as a full-time student?
How many credits are required for full time status?

What kind of LL.M. can I get at Capital?

Capital University Law School (CULS) has three separate LL.M. (master of laws) programs: Taxation, Business, and Taxation and Business. The LL.M. in Taxation has been offered at Capital since 1986.

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Within the LL.M. in Business, a student may choose from six different concentrations. The choice of concentration as well as the courses that make up the concentration is tailored to each student’s career goals and needs.

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Students in the LL.M. in Taxation and Business may choose between a concentration in tax or business. The LL.M. in Taxation and Business with a tax concentration will permit the student to complete most of the courses in the LL.M. in Taxation program, while taking their electives from one of the business concentrations. The LL.M. in Taxation and Business with a business concentration allows the student to focus primarily on business, with their electives chosen from business electives.

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What concentrations are available to students in the LL.M. in Business program?

Capital offers six concentrations. These are Finance/ Corporate Governance, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, Small Business, Dispute Resolution, and Regulatory. The courses taken within these concentrations are tailored to the student’s goals and needs.

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What is the benefit of an LL.M.?

An LL.M. can be helpful in marketing oneself in the legal community. Particularly in highly specialized areas like taxation, employers want to see that a new hire is both interested in the area and that she will be able to hit the ground running. An LL.M. can also be helpful for practicing lawyers who wish to transition from one practice area to another.

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What kinds of employers hire CULS LL.M. alumni?

CULS graduate program alumni can be found working for the state and federal government. They are also working for the big four accounting firms and regional accounting firms. Many students go on to work at local and national law firms. Some students also end up working in corporate legal and tax departments at places like Nationwide.

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What does it take to earn an LL.M.?

An LL.M. can be earned either separately from an individual’s J.D. program or, for students at CULS, it can be earned in a joint degree program. Completion of the LL.M. requires completion of 24 credits approved for the LL.M. program chosen.

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What is a joint J.D./LL.M. program?

A joint J.D./LL.M. program allows a student to complete both degrees in 3 1/2 full-time years. In addition, it allows a student to transfer up to 12 credits from their CULS J.D. program into the LL.M. program. Transferring 12 credits into the LL.M. program is a huge savings, because the student then only has 12 credits left to complete the LL.M. This can be done in a single semester, while waiting for bar results.

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What about students who did not earn their J.D. at CULS?

Students who did not complete their J.D. at CULS cannot be admitted to the joint degree program. However, with written approval of the Academic Director, Graduate Law Programs, a student admitted to the LL.M. in Taxation program can transfer up to 6 credits for advanced tax courses completed at another accredited law school.

Transfer of credits is not available for the LL.M. in Business or the LL.M. in Taxation and Business with a business concentration.

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What is the tuition rate for an LL.M.?

The LL.M. program’s tuition is the same rate per credit as J.D. tuition. This is what makes the joint degree program such a bargain. The student is able to complete up to half of the degree program at lower, earlier tuition rates, taking credits needed for graduation from the J.D. program.

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How long does a student have to complete an LL.M.?

An LL.M. can be completed in a single year, by attending full-time. However, a student who does not transfer in any credits is permitted up to 6 years to complete the LL.M. program. The time permitted for completion by students who transfer in 2 or more credits depends on the number of credits transferred.

The time permitted for completion is:

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Can an alumnus/alumnae or practicing lawyer take graduate classes without being enrolled in an LL.M. program?

Yes.

We permit practicing lawyers who would otherwise qualify for admission to the LL.M. program to audit courses. They pay 1/2 the regular tuition, are permitted to enroll on a space available basis, do not take the exam and do not receive credit for the course.

Practicing lawyers who would otherwise qualify for admission and are interested in estate planning courses can complete a certificate in estate planning. This requires the completion of 3 estate planning courses. The certificate is not available to J.D. students or students who completed the courses during their J.D. program. To enroll in the program, a student must apply for and be granted admission.

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What is the cost to apply?

Members of the bar pay a $35 application fee. The application fee is waived for CULS students applying to the joint JD/LLM.

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When can a student apply for the joint degree program?

CULS J.D. students can apply for the joint degree program at any time following completion of Federal Personal Income Tax.

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What courses must a student take to be admitted to the LL.M. program?

Admission to the LL.M. in Taxation and the LL.M. in Taxation and Business with a tax concentration requires completion of Federal Personal Income Tax or its equivalent. A student who has not taken this course may be conditionally admitted.

Admission to the LL.M. in Business and the LL.M. in Taxation and Business with a business concentration requires completion of Federal Personal Income Tax, Business Associations, and Secured Transactions or their equivalents.

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What services are available to LL.M. students?

LL.M. students have full access to all law school services, including financial aid, career services, library, student counseling, and parking.

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Who advises LL.M. students?

LL.M. students can obtain basic academic advising from Assistant Dean Jennifer DiSanza. Career Services is available to assist LL.M. students with job search and career questions. In addition, LL.M. students may also seek academic or career advice from Professor Danshera Cords.

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Can LL.M. students work while enrolled in one of the LL.M. degree programs?

Absolutely. Most of our LL.M. students attend CULS part time and work full time. There are no restrictions on the number of hours that a graduate student can work. All of the courses for the LL.M. program are offered in the evening.

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Can an LL.M. be completed as a full-time student?

Yes. While most of our LL.M. students work full time and attend classes part time, some do complete the LL.M. degree as a one year, full-time program, or if they are CULS joint degree students in a single semester. Students who wish to complete an LL.M. in one year or one semester should take care in planning their schedules and seek advice early in the process to ensure that their course selections reflect the fact that not all courses are offered every semester.

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How many credits are required for full time status?

For financial aid purposes, a student must take at least 4 credits during Fall and Spring terms and at least 2 credits during Summer term to be considered a full-time student for that term.

For immigration purposes, a student must take at least 7 credits during Fall and Spring terms to be considered a full-time student.

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