Conditional Admittance Program

For students whose English is not sufficiently developed to allow them immediate enrollment in our LL.M. Program, the College of Law allows for a conditional enrollment program. Students who otherwise have records meriting acceptance, will be admitted to the LL.M. conditional to their successfully completing an English language program at Syracuse University’s English Language Institute (ELI).

The number of semesters of English required to be successfully completed prior to enrollment will depend on the students' current observable proficiency, the assessment of the ELI directors and the discretion of the admissions committee. A minimum of either Spring and/or Summer enrollment in the English Language Institute is anticipated for applicants seeking acceptance through this route, though a full-year English study program prior to LL.M. enrollment can also be accommodated.

In addition to basic English-language instruction, ELI offers a "Legal English" summer session to LL.M. students who are conditionally admitted into the program. The Legal English course comprises three components designed to provide a foundation in legal terminology and language usage in various areas (listening, speaking, reading, legal research, and writing) for nonnative speakers of English who intend to earn an LL.M. degree in the United States. All components include group and pair work as well as individual assignments. The course provides 25 instructional hours per week.