Accelerated JD/LLM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if I choose not to pursue an LLM degree after I am admitted to the Accelerated JD/LLM program?

You may choose to leave the accelerated program at any time. The program is designed so that even students who do not complete the LLM requirements will have completed a course of study that provides them with a strong foundation in a specialized area of the law, and in-depth exposure to issues only available through study at the LLM level.

You may choose not to complete the LLM degree, or you may choose to slow down your program of study and complete the LLM degree in the typical two to four post-JD semesters. If you withdraw from the LLM program prior to the beginning of the first post-JD semester, you will owe no additional tuition for the Accelerated program. If you choose not to complete the program benchmarks during the JD program, you may still chose to pursue an LLM degree at a slower rate and receive advanced standing credit and/or a reduced tuition rate through our other graduate program options. Please visit NYLS Graduate Degree Program Options for more information.

What if I have a GPA of 2.9 at the end of my first year, am I no longer eligible for the Accelerated JD/LLM?

You may still be eligible. You will be required to have a GPA of 3.0 by the Application Deadline for the Accelerated Program (March 1 of the second year for Day students and November 1 of the third year for Evening students.) If you have a GPA of 2.9 as of the Application Deadline, you may still apply to any one of our graduate programs and may receive advanced standing credit and/or a reduced tuition rate through our other graduate program options. Please visit NYLS Graduate Degree Program Options for more information.

If I don’t finish the LLM degree in one post-JD semester, will I owe tuition beyond the flat-rate add-on for the LLM degree?

As long as you meet all program benchmarks for the Accelerated Program by the time of graduation from the JD program, you will owe only the flat-rate add-on tuition for the LLM program (reduced by any credits for summer tuition you have paid.) No additional tuition will be charged if you require more than one semester to complete the LLM degree.

If I withdraw from the Accelerated JD/LLM program can I still receive credit toward an LLM degree program for summer tuition paid during my NYLS JD program?

Only students in the Accelerated JD/LLM program receive summer tuition credit toward the flat-rate for their LLM degree. Students in the NYLS Advanced Standing Program may also apply JD credits to reduce their graduate tuition, however this tuition reduction is not specific to summer tuition and is only applied to the final credits of the LLM degree program. For more information, please visit NYLS Advanced Studies Program.

Am I eligible for student loans during the post-JD semester?

Yes, LLM students may be eligible for Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS Loans, and/or private loans. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Resources page.