LL.M. in Environmental
and Natural Resources Law

Important Information for International Students

Lewis & Clark has welcomed students from around the world into its LL.M. program. Our LL.M. program is deliberately small and selective so that each student can receive personal attention from the faculty and staff. Our international LL.M. graduates are now at work in many countries around the world.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about the international LL.M. program:

Why do I need to submit a TOEFL score? Are there any alternatives?

Fluency in English is essential to success in any U.S. law school; our top-ranked program is very demanding. The level and pace of instruction requires a sophisticated grasp of written and spoken English, which is why we require a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or equivalent. For those students who have not attained college-level fluency in English, Lewis and Clark College offers an Academic English Studies program. Admission to AES is separate from admission to the LL.M. program.

If your TOEFL score does not accurately reflect your ability to speak, write and understand English, we may allow you to submit other proofs of English proficiency. Contact our office for more information.

How should lawyers from other countries prepare for LL.M. study in the United States?

Law study in the United States differs in very significant ways from law study in most other countries. At Lewis & Clark, our international students are often surprised at how many small discussion seminars we offer and by the close interactions between students and professors. The kind of active, creative legal thinking that typifies American law schools and the common law system can be daunting for lawyers trained in civil code systems, and the final exams in American law courses often demand not only knowledge of the law but an ability to construct legal arguments on behalf of various parties and think critically about the law. With these differences in mind, our Summer Institute provides international students with a concentrated introduction to United States legal structure and law study. The Summer Institute is free to admitted Lewis & Clark international LL.M.s.

How can I obtain a study visa to the United States?

Lewis and Clark maintains an International Students and Scholars Office to provide assistance and advice to our international students. This office provides a wide variety of services, including assisting students in obtaining visas to study in the U.S. It is important for you to stay in touch with this office throughout the application and arrival process so that we can make your transition into the United States as easy as possible.

Will a U.S. LL.M. degree help me get a lawyer job in the U.S.?

Obtaining an LL.M. degree alone, from any institution, does not equip you to practice law in the United States. Almost all state bar associations, with only a few exceptions (primarily New York and California), require a J.D. from an American Bar Association-accredited U.S. law school before registering for the bar examination. Successful passage of a bar exam is a prerequisite to practicing law. If becoming a practicing attorney in the U.S. is your goal, please contact our Admissions Office for more information about our J.D. program.

A few of our LL.M. graduates have successfully gone on to obtain a J.D. degree and practice law in the U.S. Academic credit obtained in our LL.M. program may, under certain circumstances, be applied to our J.D. degree program. For advice about your particular circumstances, please email Director Lin Harmon at lhw@lclark.edu.

How can I finance my LL.M. studies?

Most U.S. law schools do not provide financial aid for international LL.M. students. Lewis & Clark is an exception to this rule. Highly qualified LL.M. applicants may receive scholarships (up to a maximum of 50% of tuition costs depending on financial need). Obtaining a scholarship award from Lewis & Clark may help you obtain additional grants from other sources. For more ideas about funding sources, visit LLM-guide.com.

U.S. visa regulations restrict the type of paid work available to international students and their families. You may qualify for some kinds of on-campus employment during your studies. For more information about these restrictions, consult our International Student Services office.

What is the Optional Practical Training program?

OPT is an option for LL.M.s on F-1 visas who complete their degrees and want to gain some practical experience in a law setting in the U.S. Finding a paying OPT internship may be difficult, and it is best to start your search process early upon arriving in the United States. For more information about OPT, consult our International Students and Scholars Office.

Some of our international LL.M. students choose to experience American law practice through our Clinical Internship Seminar class, which matches students to placements under the supervision of practicing attorneys in law firms, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies for academic credit.