Applicants who received their law degree in the United States must hold a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactory graduate work as evidenced by high grade-point average or high class rank in law school. Most U.S. applicants to the University of Houston Law Center have graduated in the upper one-third of their law school classes.
Lawyers educated in other countries must hold a law degree from an accredited university, or be admitted to practice before the highest court in their jurisdiction. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactory graduate work by presenting evidence of either a high grade-point average or superior class standing at the school where they earned their law degree.
The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) requires a test of English proficiency for all applicants who earned a law degree from a country in which English is not the official language. We seek candidates for the LL.M. Program who typically score at or above the following: 100 (TOEFL-IBT), 7.0 (IELTS-Academic) or 120 (Duolingo). The minimum required score for applying to UH is 79 (TOEFL-IBT), 6.5 (IELTS-Academic) or 105 (Duolingo). If your English proficiency score is between 79 – 85 (TOEFL-IBT), 6.5 (IELTS-Academic) or 105-110 (Duolingo), the additional Legal English Certificate Program is required. Regardless of your English proficiency exam score, UHLC strongly encourages all foreign applicants to take the Legal English Certificate Program to strengthen verbal and written English skills, introduce U.S. legal terminology, and prepare for the study of law in the United States.
Countries Exempt from English Proficiency Exam Requirement* (applicants from many of these countries should strongly consider taking the LEC Program):
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Micronesia Islands, Federated States of, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Helena, South Africa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales), Virgin Islands and Zimbabwe only.
*This list is based on the UH Graduate School requirements for admissions eligibility
All required application documents and materials must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service. To register for the service, go to www.lsac.org.
LSAC will forward information to the University of Houston Law Center as it is submitted by the applicant. Applications will not be reviewed, however, until a file is complete and includes all of the documents listed below.
U.S.-Educated Attorneys
Application
LSAC service fees. The application fee has been waived for all applicants who apply using the online application. You do not need a fee waiver code; your fee will be waived automatically at check out.
Official law school transcript. For applicants in their last year of study, the transcript should reflect courses currently in progress.
Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum). The statement serves as a writing sample and is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself. It is a personal interview on paper.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters. The most useful letters of recommendation are those from professors, professional colleagues or employers with whom you have had a close working relationship.
Lawyers with Non-U.S. Law Degree
Regardless of current citizenship, immigration or visa status, lawyers who obtained their legal education outside of the United States must submit the following:
Application
LSAC service fees. The application fee has been waived for all applicants who apply using the online application. You do not need a fee waiver code; your fee will be waived automatically at check out.
Official law school transcript and official certificate or diploma. The certificate or diploma should include the title of the degree received and the graduation date. Documents must be sent directly from the applicant’s university to LSAC; photocopies submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.
TOEFL or IELTS report submitted through LSAC. Duolingo report submitted through University of Houston Graduate School. Countries exempt from this requirement include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Federated States of Micronesia Islands, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Helena, South Africa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales), Virgin Islands and Zimbabwe only.
Statement of Purpose (300 word minimum). The statement of Purpose serves as a writing sample and is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about yourself. It is a personal interview on paper.
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters. The most useful letters of recommendation are those from professors, professional colleagues or employers with whom you have had a close working relationship.
Letter of Financial Backing and supporting financial documents (if requesting documentation for an F-1 student visa)
Copy of current visa, passport, or Permanent Resident Card
Applicants who have earned their 1st law degree outside of the United States can only begin the program in the fall semester. If you require a student visa to attend our University you should submit your application by the Priority Deadline date as visa appointment wait times can be a lengthy process.
Fall Semester (August 2025) – Application available: October 1st
Applicants with Non-U.S. Law Degree
| Priority Deadline | March 1 |
Application Deadline |
May 1 |
Applicants with U.S. Law Degree
| Priority Deadline | June 1 |
Application Deadline |
August 1 |
Spring Semester (January 2025) – Applicants with U. S. Law Degree only
Application available: September 1st
| Priority Deadline | November 15 |
Application Deadline |
January 3 |
Applicants who have earned their 1st law degree outside of the U.S. can only begin the program in the Fall Semester.
Applications are not reviewed until all required information is received. Failure to provide all required information will delay processing of an application. Applications received after the stated deadlines cannot be assured review. Fees are subject to change without notice and, upon admissions, additional information and fees may be required. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but not before January 1 for the fall semester (August) or September 1 for the spring (January) admission.
