Why Choose Syracuse Law’s Accelerated J.D. Program for International Law Graduates?

The students enrolled in our LL.M. program have obtained a first degree in law (i.e., Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), etc.) from abroad. They are practicing lawyers, academics, and judges. Many of our students have already obtained an LL.M. degree from a U.S. law school. 

Explore Dineen Hall, the newly-built home of Syracuse Law located on the main campus of Syracuse University, offering access to health care services, mental health counseling, exercise and recreation facilities, club sports, religious and spiritual activities, and more.  

Accelerated J.D. Academic Info Apply Now

Start Your Application

To Apply to the Accelerated J.D. Program for International Law Graduates, candidates must create a profile on the Law School Admission Council website.

Application materials include:  

  • LSAC Application Form: Fall Accelerated International J.D. Program Application (applications are open September 1 – May 1)
  • All prior educational transcripts (from Undergraduate/LL.B., LL.M., and SJD degrees)
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Copy of Passport Face-Page
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS Score Report*
  • An admissions interview may be required

Application Details:

  • Application deadline: May 1st
  • The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required, but the Admissions Committee will take into consideration the “whole applicant”, inclusive of any test scores that are provided in the admissions file.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate English-language proficiency. Scores from the TOEFL and IELTS exams are acceptable and must be from within two years of your enrollment to the College of Law.
  • Applicants must use the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to submit all transcripts and at least two letters of recommendation. Documents submitted directly to the Admissions Office will not be accepted. 

Admissions Review Process and Eligibility Criteria:

The College of Law follows a multi-layer admissions review process. The first layer requires a credential evaluation of the applicant’s foreign first-degree-in-law by the Law School Admissions Council’s (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The CAS report will indicate degree level, number of years required to the complete the degree, grade conversions scales, and cumulative GPA. An in-house admissions review is performed by the Assistant Dean of International Programs who evaluates for merit (i.e. very strong English-language proficiency and academic credentials) and whether to advance the application to an Admissions interview. Following the interview, an independent review of the admissions file is performed by the Faculty Chair of the College of Law Admissions Committee. 

Upon a favorable admissions review by the Faculty Chair, the admissions file is reviewed to identify those courses which would be substantively comparable to those offered by the Syracuse Law’s J.D. Program and, therefore, constitute credits which are permissible to transfer in towards satisfaction of the J.D. Program.

Syracuse Law will not transfer in credits from courses it would not normally offer (i.e. Sharia Law) and it will not transfer in credits from courses where a grade of B- or lower was received (on a letter-based grading scale). All foreign coursework must have been completed “in residence” in a live classroom setting. No online or distance-learning course credits may be transferred to the Accelerated J.D. Program. 

Cost of Attendance & Merit Scholarships

Students in the Accelerated J.D. Program for International Law Graduates will be charged tuition and fees consistent with the fees for the modality in which they are admitted (On-Campus J.D. (Residential) Program or Hybrid/Online J.D. JDinteractive Program). Syracuse Law will consider each applicant for a merit scholarship award when the application is reviewed for admission.