Earning an LL.M. degree in the United States does not guarantee eligibility to sit for a bar examination. Each U.S. state sets its own eligibility requirements that should be considered. While the Dickinson Law curriculum provides all coursework necessary to sit for the New York bar examination, students must plan accordingly to ensure that appropriate coursework is completed. For more information, see The New York State Board of Law Examiners.
Fall Semester: Introduction to the U.S. Legal System (2); Legal Analysis, Writing and Research (2); Civil Procedure (4) or Torts (4); Criminal Law (3); Criminal Procedure (3) or Constitutional Law II (3); Professional Responsibility (3) Spring Semester: Evidence (3); Constitutional Law I (3); Contracts (4) or Property (4); Supplemental Bar Prep Course (2)*
*New York bar applicants may not count credits in any type of bar review or preparation course, independent study, directed study, research papers or projects toward the 24 semester hours of credit required to qualify for the bar exam.
Note: As of August 2024, the New York State Bar Examination is administered twice per year, in February and July. Applications must be filed during the month of November for a February examination and during the month of April for a July examination.
Eligibility requirements for applicants who wish to qualify for the New York State bar examination based on the study of law in a foreign country must complete a Foreign Evaluation Form. If a deficiency in one’s foreign legal education must be “cured” by completing an LL.M. degree, one must seek an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility from the Board. It can take up to six months for an eligibility decision to be made.
The LL.M. degree program must consist of a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit. All coursework must be physically completed at the Dickinson Law location. No credit is allowed for distance, correspondence or external study or for an on-line program or course. It is recommended that students in this track take all bar-tested courses.
Minimum Required Coursework:
- 2 credits in professional responsibility;
- 2 credits in legal research, writing and analysis course;
- 2 credits in a course on American legal studies, the American legal system or a similar course designed to introduce students to U.S. law; and,
- 6 credits in subjects tested on the New York bar examination, which are: Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Property, Evidence, Business associations, Conflict of Laws, Criminal Law and Procedure, Family law, Trusts and Estates, Secured Transactions.
For more information, see The New York State Board of Law Examiners.