The LLM + Legal English & US Law Foundations at Oregon Law is designed for international attorneys and law graduates who want to develop their professional-level English skills, gain foundational knowledge of the US legal system, and prepare for advanced legal studies.
The structured, two-year LLM + Legal English & US Law Foundations degree program provides:
- A first-year experience dedicated to focused study on legal English development, US legal foundations, and essential academic skills.
- A second year fully integrated into the General LLM cohort, where students pursue specialized coursework in American Law, Business Law, or Environmental Law.
The LLM + Legal English & US Law Foundations is ideal for students with a TOEFL score between 62–87 or a IELTS score between 6.0–6.5.
Explore our program, strengthen your legal foundations, and take the next step in your legal education.
Degree At A Glance
MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS
Degree Requirements
Year 1: Legal English & US Law Foundations
In the first year, students develop professional-level legal English skills and study core concepts of US law. By the end of the first year, students will have the linguistic, analytical, and academic skills needed to thrive in the General LLM program.
Year 1 Required Courses
Fall Semester
- American Legal System (3 credits)
- Reading for the Legal Profession (4 credits)
- Master of Laws Reading (3 credits)
Spring Semester
- Comparative Law (4 credits)
- Writing for the Legal Profession (4 credits)
- Master of Laws Writing (2 credits)
Prior to starting the second year, students will be required to successfully demonstrate a level of English language proficiency at or above the standard minimum English proficiency requirements for the General LLM degree. Students in the LLM + Legal English & US Law Foundations who do not meet the English language requirement within two years of matriculation are not eligible to continue in the LLM program.
Year 2: Specialized Legal Study
After successfully completing their foundational coursework, students join the General LLM cohort and select one of three curricular tracks—American Law, Business Law, or Environmental Law. Students in the Business Law and Environmental Law tracks must complete required and recommended courses to graduate with a certificate in that track. Learn more below.
Year 2 Required Courses
Introduction to American Law and Practice (Fall Semester, 3 credits)
This short, mandatory, course introduces LLM students from outside of the United States to basic legal concepts, principles and procedures regarding the American system of law.
LLM Advanced and Persuasive Legal Writing (Spring Semester, 2 credits)
This course seeks to improve students' knowledge of persuasive writing strategies and skills.
Writing Requirement
All LLM students must complete a written comprehensive paper or project in connection with one of the required courses for their chosen track.
Questions?
Review our FAQs page, or reach out to member of our team. We'd love to hear from you!