The LL.M. Program consists essentially of a year of professional studies and is an opportunity for specialization in fields not fully covered in previous law work. Except for the Master’s Essay and some clinical offerings, the courses and seminars open to LL.M. candidates are generally those open to J.D. students in the second and third years. LL.M. candidates are required to earn twenty-four (24) points of academic credit and one LL.M. Writing Credit for the LL.M. degree. Of the twenty-four points of academic credit required for the degree, up to eight points can be earned through supervised research and up to six points can be earned in courses outside the Law School (see “Instruction and Research in Other Schools, on page 23). Ordinarily, a candidate’s program consists of 11-14 points in each of the two terms, but with approval may consist of a greater number of points. The academic programs of all candidates for graduate degrees are subject to the approval of the Dean of Graduate Legal Studies.
Entry into seminars and popular courses is sometimes difficult because the number of candidates desiring to participate exceeds the places available. The Faculty, therefore, has voted to accord a certain preference for entry to LL.M. candidates. This preference is available only to those admitted LL.M. candidates who complete and return the pre-registration form, which is sent to admitted students in the summer, by the assigned date. Even with timely pre-registration, and even with some preference given to LL.M. candidates, enrollment in very popular seminars and courses cannot be guaranteed. In addition, students who request classes in areas entirely different from the areas of interest indicated on their applications will not receive preference in seat assignments.
LL.M. candidates must file a degree application several months before the anticipated degree conferral date. Dates for award of the LL.M. degree fall in May, October, and February. Students who expect to receive the degree in May must file the degree application by December 1 of the prior fall term. If a student does not complete the requirements for the degree, the student is responsible for reapplying for the next degree conferral date. Any student who does not receive the May degree must reapply by August 1 for the October degree, or by November 15 for the February degree. Degree application forms may be obtained in the Office of Registration Services or online at www.law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/Reg_Forms.
If an LL.M. student who is a candidate for the May degree receives a grade of incomplete (IN) in the fall semester, the work must be completed and submitted by April 1 of the spring semester. The due date for completion of all spring semester work is the last day of classes of that semester. If the student is not a candidate for the May degree but rather is a candidate for the October degree, all work must be completed and submitted by September 1. If the student is a candidate for the February degree, all work must be completed and submitted by December 31.
No LL.M. candidacy will be extended or renewed beyond the second award date subsequent to the termination of the candidate’s period of residence, i.e., February for candidates going out of residence in May. The final date on which the requirements for the LL.M. degree may be fulfilled, including submission in final, accepted form of a Master’s Essay, is December 31 of the calendar year in which the candidate completed the required period of residency. Of course, every candidate registered for the LL.M. degree is strongly urged to complete all work in time to receive the degree in May of the year of residence.
The performance of LL.M. candidates in courses, seminars and research papers is indicated by the letters A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C and F. If a candidate fails an examination and is given permission to repeat it, he or she will not receive a grade higher than C the second time, and the transcript will include a notation that this grade is the result of re-examination. LL.M. candidates who fail more than one course offering may not graduate and their candidacy will terminate automatically. To qualify for the degree, LL.M. candidates must earn a grade point average of 2.67 (B-) or better, or a preponderance of B or better grades, and may not fail more than one course or seminar. Grades earned in courses taken outside of the Law School (either in another division of Columbia University or as part of the CLS/NYU Law Exchange) will not be factored into either calculation. Regular attendance at all classes is expected.
LL.M. candidates must earn one LL.M. Writing Credit (“writing credit”) in the form of a writing project (“a paper”) involving legal writing based on research. The writing credit must be earned in conjunction with at least two points of academic credit. To qualify for writing credit, a paper must be graded on the letter scale set forth above; Credit (Pass)/Fail or other non-evaluative grades are not permitted. LL.M. candidates may count a maximum of eight (8) points of supervised research, including the LL.M. Essay, toward the 24 points required for graduation.
Writing Credit can be earned several ways:
1. Seminars:
a. By writing a research paper for a seminar which requires a research paper instead of an examination as the primary basis of evaluation. A two credit seminar paper (approximately 6,500 to 8,000 words) will yield a writing credit in conjunction with two points of academic credit;
b. In seminars which require a short research paper (i.e., 10 pages), students may seek the instructor’s permission to write a longer research paper (approximately 6,500 to 8,000 words) in order to earn one writing credit. Once the student has secured the instructor’s permission, the student can register for one point of Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691) in addition to the seminar and earn a writing credit in conjunction with two points of academic credit;
c. In seminars which provide the option of a final examination or a research paper, students who opt to write the research paper can earn a writing credit provided the final work product is comparable to that required by a two-credit seminar (e.g., 6,500 to 8,000 words); or
d. In seminars which use an examination instead of a research paper as the primary basis of evaluation, students may seek the instructor’s permission to write a research paper (6,500 to 8,000 words) in addition to taking the final exam in order to earn one writing credit. Once the student has secured the instructor’s permission, the student can register for two points of Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691) in addition to the seminar and earn a writing credit in conjunction with two points of academic credit.
Note: Reaction papers, the paper for CIAL, journals, critiques and other non-research based writing projects do not qualify for writing credit. Writing credit cannot be earned in courses taken outside the Law School.
2. Supervised Research:
By writing a research paper independently of any course under the supervision of a Columbia Law School faculty member (including clinical, visiting and adjunct faculty) who agrees to supervise the work and evaluate/grade the paper. The number of credits earned for supervised research should depend on the amount of work the project will likely entail. For example, a paper that will require work comparable to that required by a two-credit seminar (approximately 6,500 to 8,000 words) should be awarded two points of academic credit and will yield an LL.M. writing credit. Generally, a paper of the scope and length of a law review Note (approximately 10,000 to 12,000 words) would qualify for three points of academic credit and a writing credit. In general, longer papers should qualify for more points of academic credit than shorter papers. To yield writing credit, the paper must be worth at least two points of academic credit. A research paper worth one point of academic credit will not yield writing credit.
3. LL.M. or Master’s Essay:
An LL.M. candidate may earn a writing credit by writing a satisfactory LL.M. or Master’s Essay. See Master of Laws (LL.M.) Essay Requirements below.
Additional Information
1. Extent of Supervision: In the usual case, a student registered for research will communicate regularly with the supervising instructor over the course of the project. A typical project might proceed through the following stages:
• Topic selection: The student and instructor agree on a subject matter area and discuss possible research topics within that general area.
• Preliminary research: Following selection of a topic, the student conducts research aimed at narrowing and refining the project, and the instructor provides feedback that assists the student in formulating a research and writing plan.
• Project outline: The student prepares and submits a written outline of the research project and the instructor responds with substantive feedback. If the instructor deems it appropriate, revised and more detailed outlines may also be submitted and discussed.
• Preliminary draft: The student submits a preliminary draft of the paper and the instructor provides written or oral comments on the draft.
• Revised draft: The student submits a revised draft of the paper.
The instructor will then provide feedback on the revised draft, and may, in consultation with the student, choose to receive and to provide feedback on additional drafts. These stages will vary depending on the particular project undertaken. Students should consult with their instructors as needed on the appropriate plan of supervision in any particular case.
2. A two-point paper, whether prepared for a seminar or as supervised research, generally represents about 140 hours of work, or 10 hours per week, and is usually 6,500 to 8,000 words, although individual professors may have different requirements. LL.M. candidates undertaking supervised research generally register for Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691).
3. To qualify for writing credit, a paper must be graded on the letter scale set forth above; Credit (Pass)/Fail or other non-evaluative grades are not permitted.
4. The major and minor writing credit designations in course descriptions do NOT apply to LL.M. students; they apply to J.D. students only. LL.M. students should consult with their individual professors using the guidelines outlined herein to determine whether a course meets the LL.M. writing credit standards.
5. Neither academic nor writing credit is given for journal articles or notes unless prepared under the supervision of a professor as a supervised research project.
6. Both the supervised research option and the LL.M. Essay result in a final paper. The principal difference between the two options lies primarily in the formality of presentation required for an LL.M. Essay. The LL.M. Essay must be placed before the Faculty Supervisor well in advance of the final due date so that it can be reviewed by the Faculty Supervisor and revised by the student before it is finally submitted. A final copy of the LL.M. Essay is deposited in the Law School Library and its title appears on the student’s transcript.
A research paper will qualify as a Master’s Essay only if it fulfills all of the following conditions:
a. It is a substantial and rigorous piece of legal writing based on research on a topic approved in advance by a faculty member (including clinical, visiting and adjunct faculty) who has agreed to act as Faculty Supervisor;
b. It has been submitted in draft form to the Faculty Supervisor who has provided comments on the draft, and a further version of the paper which responds to the Faculty Supervisor’s comments has been produced; and
c. It has earned a B or better grade (an LL.M. Essay may not be graded on a credit/fail basis).
The number of academic points to be granted for a Master’s Essay depends upon the scope and nature of the topic and is determined, in advance of registration, by the Faculty Supervisor. As with Research for the LL.M. Degree (see above), the number of credits earned for a Master’s Essay will depend on the amount of work the project will likely entail. A maximum of eight (8) points for the Master’s Essay may be counted toward the 24 points required for graduation.
Once the student has secured a Faculty Supervisor and has reached agreement with the Supervisor on the topic and the number of points to be granted for the LL.M. Essay, the student must obtain the signatures of the Supervisor and the Dean of Graduate
Legal Studies on the appropriate registration form (“GLS Research and Writing Registration Form”).
The Law School’s Academic Calendar specifies a final date by which a completed and approved Essay must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Legal Studies. A copy of the final LL.M. Essay is deposited in the Law School Library. By agreeing to deposit the Essay with the Law Library, the candidate consents to its being made available for library use, reproduction, distribution, and display in any regularly employed format, which may include microfiche or electronic forms. Other uses, such as derivative work use, remain the sole property of the student.
Additional information:
1. Scope and Title of Essay. The Faculty Supervisor must approve the scope and title of the Essay. The title will appear on the student’s transcript.
2. Number of Copies. One unbound printed copy in final form and one extra copy of the title page must be deposited with the Office of Graduate Legal Studies in Room 611 of William and June Warren Hall for submission to the Law School Library where it will be bound and shelved. For convenience of handling, the Essay should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Legal Studies in a manila envelope.
3. Form and Typing.
a. The Essay should be double-spaced, using a font conventional for formal presentations. All text must be kept within margins of one-and-a-half inches at left and top; one inch at right and bottom.
b. The title page should contain only the following information in the following order:
1. Title of Essay centered in upper one-third of page.
2. Full name of author (two spaces below title).
3. The following submission statement centered near foot of page:
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws in the School of Law Columbia University (Do not include the month, year, or other information.)
c. The essay should include a Table of Contents with page references at the front; a Table of Cases at the end; and, in some instances, a Table of Statutes or Bibliography at the end.
d. All pages, including tables, bibliography, and appendices, should be numbered consecutively in Arabic numbers in the upper right hand corner (outside of the margin at the top). Prefatory pages, however, should be numbered in small Roman numerals.
e. Footnotes and references may appear at the bottom of the page to which they refer, at the end of each chapter, or at the end of the Essay. Citations should conform to the style of the Columbia Law Review.
It is the LL.M. student’s responsibility to make sure s/he meets the writing requirement for graduation. Students should check with the professor to make sure that the writing requirement for a particular course meets LL.M. Writing Credit standards. LL.M. Writing Credit and J.D. Major and Minor Writing Credit are not equal. If a course description says it awards J.D. Major Writing Credit, do not assume you will receive an LL.M. Writing Credit for the course.
A paper will qualify for LL.M. Writing Credit if:
1. It is research-based (based on original research that you conduct independently of reading materials assigned by a professor for a course);
2. It is at least 6500-8000 words in length (20-25 pages); and
3. It is in conjunction with two academic points of credit.
The following do not qualify for LL.M. Writing Credit:
1. Reaction papers, opinion papers, or critiques;
2. Journal entries;
3. A series of shorter research papers, whose total equals 6500-8000 words;
4. Non-research based writing projects; and
5. Papers for which the research is based entirely or mostly on reading materials (cases, articles, commentaries, etc.) assigned by a professor for a particular course;
6. The paper written for CIAL.
Ways to Earn LL.M. Writing Credit:
1. Seminars.
a. If the seminar requirement includes a 20-25 page researchbased paper, you will earn a writing credit for the course.
b. If the seminar requires a shorter research paper (10-15 pages), you can ask the professor if you can write a longer paper (an additional ten pages) to earn your writing credit. If you write a longer paper, you will need to register for an additional point of Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691) by completing the “GLS Research and Writing Registration Form” available in Registration Services or on their website (www. law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/Reg_Forms), because you are doing more work than is required for the course.
c. If the seminar requirement allows you to choose between taking a final exam or writing a research paper, you can earn writing credit by taking the paper option, provided it meets the LL.M. writing credit requirements listed above.
d. If the seminar requirement is a final exam, you can ask the professor if you can write a research-based paper in addition to the final exam. If you choose this option, you will need to register for two additional points of Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691) by completing the “GLS Research and Writing Registration Form” available in Registration Services or on their website (www.law.columbia.edu/ academics/registrar/Reg_Forms), because you are doing more work than is required for the course.
2. Supervised Research. You can earn writing credit by writing a research paper independently of any course under the supervision of a Columbia Law School faculty member (including clinical, visiting and adjunct faculty) who agrees to supervise the work and evaluate/grade the paper. To yield writing credit, your paper must be worth at least two academic points of credit (6500-8000 words). Register for Research for the LL.M. Degree (L6691) by completing the “GLS Research and Writing Registration Form,” available in Registration Services or on their website (www.law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/Reg_Forms).
3. LL.M. Essay. You can earn your writing credit by writing an LL.M. Essay. Register for the LL.M. Essay (L6692) by completing the “GLS Research and Writing Registration Form,” available in Registration Services or on their website (www.law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/Reg_Forms).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to complete a form to obtain my writing credit?
Yes, you need to complete this GLS LL.M. Writing Credit Worksheet and return it to the Office of Graduate Legal Studies by October 15th if you are earning your writing credit in the fall term or February 1st if you are earning your writing credit in the spring term.
2. Do I need the professor’s signature on my GLS LL.M. Writing Credit Worksheet?
No.
3. When do I need to complete a form with Registration Services?
If you are doing more work than the course requires to earn your writing credit (i.e., increasing the length of a paper by a minimum of 10 additional pages), if you are writing a paper independent of a course or seminar (supervised research), or if you are writing an LL.M. Essay, you need to complete the “GLS Research and Writing Registration Form” available in Registration Services. You will need the professor’s signature on this form. See “Ways to Earn LL.M. Writing Credit,” above.
4. How do I determine if a course offers LL.M. writing credit?
Check the course description or syllabus to see if the work you will be doing for the course meets the writing credit guidelines outlined above. If it is not clear from either the description or syllabus, ask the professor (being sure to provide the professor with the LL.M. writing credit guidelines outlined above).
