Intensive Legal English Preparation at MSU Law
Learning English for life in the United States is difficult, but learning the legal terms and language necessary to succeed in an LL.M. program is even harder.
The Michigan State University College of Law LL.M. Program, in coordination with the English Language Center at Michigan State University, offers LL.M. students a unique opportunity to learn the skills and language necessary to excel in their graduate legal studies. Students work with Law College staff and faculty during this unique three-year program, which starts with 1 or 1.5 years of English and ends with graduation as an LL.M..
Benefits include:
- Immediate interaction with Law faculty, staff and students;
- Introduction to legal English, terminology and knowledge not normally taught in traditional law courses; and
- Social immersion into life at the Law College.
Students without a TOEFL/IELTS score, or students with a score not sufficient for regular admission, begin their studies at the English Language Center at Michigan State University, one of the best language schools in the country. These students are conditionally admitted to the Law College, and will become full LL.M. students after they have improved their language abilities to the satisfaction of the Law College.
Students may begin at the English Language Center in August, January or May, and may begin at Level 2, 3, or 4 depending upon their English abilities. Most students take one semester to complete each level.
- In Level 2, students take a full 12 credits at the English Language Center, including Writing, Reading Comprehension, and Listening and Speaking. Students join the LL.M. student groups and participate in all LL.M. activities.
- In Level 3, students take 9 credits at the English Language Center, focusing on Writing, Reading Comprehension , Listening and Speaking AND take an additional course at the Law College, taught by Law faculty, focusing on U.S. legal history and the U.S. legal system, as well as legal terminology they will need for their LL.M. studies. They continue to take part in LL.M. student activities, and can observe law classes.
- In Level 4, students continue with the same course work as in Level 3, but with more advanced classes and more advanced language.
After completing Level 4 and receiving a sufficient English language test score, students begin the LL.M. program at the Law College. Students generally take the LL.M. over two years.