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Studying for an LLM (Master of Laws) in Florida
Find your PERFECT LLM PROGRAMFlorida – known as the Sunshine State – enjoys a tropical climate, sandy coastline and vast deep blue waters. It is located in the south-eastern region of the US – bordered by Georgia and Alabama to the north, and water in all the other directions.
As well as stunning sandy beaches, its diverse landscape features vast wetlands, numerous lakes and over 1,350 miles of coastline. It is also home to several major cities including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Tallahassee. With a population of over 21 million people, Florida is the third most populous state in the US after California and Texas.
Reasons to study an LLM in Florida
Florida is a popular destination for international, out-of-state and in-state postgraduate law students – and it’s easy to see why.
Here are just some of the reasons why LLM students choose to study their Master of Laws in Florida.
- Renowned universities
- Thriving job market
- Warm climate
- Outdoor lifestyle
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to Latin America
Best law schools in Florida
The state of Florida is home to several highly ranked law schools – hare are the top five according to US News & World Report Best Grad School Rankings 2024.
|
Position |
Law School |
Location |
LLM Provision |
|
1 |
Levin College of Law University of Florida |
Gainesville |
LLM in US Law |
|
2 |
College of Law |
Tallahassee |
LLM in Environmental Law & Policy |
|
3 |
FIU Law |
Miami |
General LLM |
|
4 |
Miami Law |
Miami |
General LLM |
|
5 |
Stetson Law |
Gulfport |
LLM in Advocacy (Online) |
Lowdown of universities and law schools in Florida
There are 11 American Bar Association-accredited law schools in Florida, and most of them offer Master of Laws options for postgraduate students. The institutions in Florida that offer LLMs include Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami and Stetson University.
Here’s a brief summary of some of the best law schools in Florida and details of their LLM provisions.
Levin College of Law – University of Florida
The University of Florida was founded in 1853 in Gainesville, a lively university town, and is one of the leading public research universities in the US. Over 60,000 students are enrolled in the University of Florida, of which 15,175 are postgraduate (graduate) students and 3,827 are studying a professional program – the remaining 41,487 are undergraduate students.
There is one Master of Laws program available to study at UF Law – the LLM in US Law. This course is designed for graduates of non-US law schools and is taught over one year. The program boasts a broad curriculum and students can choose to generalise or focus on a specific area.
College of Law – Florida State University
Florida State University is a public university in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida. Founded in 1851, FSU is renowned for its strong academic programs and offers over 300 degree programs across its undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses. Over 45,000 students are enrolled at FSU – of which 10,000 are postgraduate and professional students.
FSU’s College of Law has been rated among the top law schools in the United States by US News & World Report and Business Insider. Its location in Tallahassee means there is plenty of legal work experience and networking opportunities. The College of Law offers three LLM programs – an LLM in American Law for Foreign Lawyers designed to give students from another nation an understanding of the American legal system; an LLM in Environmental Law and Policy; and an LLM in Business Law.
Miami Law – University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private research university founded in 1925 and now serves over 17,000 students. Its proximity to Miami’s business and cultural hub makes it a great institution for networking opportunities.
Miami Law is one of the most prestigious private law schools in Florida and offers plenty of Master of Laws options including a General LLM; LLM in Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law; LLM in Estate Planning; LLM in International Arbitration; LLM in International Law; LLM in Maritime Law; LLM in Real Estate/Property Development; LLM in Tax; and LLM in Taxation of Cross-Border Investment. There are also pathway options with their Intensive Legal English + LLM and the LLM to JD Joint Degree Transfer. Miami Law has more than 23,000+ alumni practicing throughout the US and in 90 countries – from corporate to public interest; in large firms, private practice, and government service.
Stetson Law – Stetson University
Stetson University was originally founded as DeLand Academy in 1883 in the coastal town of Gulfport – after a few name changes became John B Stetson University in 1897.
Stetson Law was founded in 1900, which makes it Florida’s oldest law school. Ranked #1 in Trial Advocacy and #3 in Legal Writing in the latest US News & World Report’s Best Grad Schools rankings, Stetson Law offers three Master of Laws programs – LLM in Advocacy; LLM in Elder Law; and LLM in International Law.
LLM tuition fees and living costs in Florida
Florida is one of the more affordable US states, but the tuition fees do vary between the different law schools as well as between programs at the same institution. For example, at Stetson Law, the LLM tuition fees for the Online LLM in Advocacy is $31,000 for the academic year 2024/25, while the tuition fees of studying the LLM in International Law – a program that is taught onsite – are $52,748. Here are the projected student costs for studying a Master of Laws onsite at Stetson Law.
|
Stetson Law LLM Costs 2024/25 |
Amount |
|
LLM tuition fees (onsite) |
$52,748 |
|
Additional fees |
$496 |
|
Accommodation |
$10,058 |
|
Books and supplies |
$1,708 |
|
Food |
$2,474 |
|
Transport |
$2,870 |
|
Personal/Miscellaneous |
$4,568 |
|
Total |
$74,922 |
Student accommodation costs in Florida
Florida is a large and diverse state and student accommodation costs vary from university to university and town to town.
Florida State University in Tallahassee – the state capital – has a variety of university accommodation for approximately $4,500 per semester ($9,000 for the academic year).
In Miami, the student accommodation charges for the academic year at the University of Miami range from $10,500 for a shared room up to $26,440 for a private apartment.
In the coastal town of Gulfport, projected student accommodation costs at Stetson University are $10,058 for 2024–2025.
In Orlando, student accommodation costs are estimated to be from $800–$1,500 per month for university accommodation up to $2,000 per month for a private student apartment.
Florida Bar Exam
To practice law in the United States, law graduates must pass the Bar Exam – a professional licensing test is designed to assess whether a candidate has the necessary legal knowledge and skills to be an effective lawyer.
Every state in America has a bar association with its own rules and guidelines, so if you got your first law degree outside the US and you’re planning to take the Bar Exam after your LLM it’s important to find out whether you will be eligible to take it.
The Florida Bar Exam is administered at the Tampa Convention Center. Law schools in Florida – for example Miami Law – offer advice on Bar Exam eligibility, prep and success.
What to do in Florida when you aren’t studying
If you do have some time away from your studies, there are plenty of things to do in the Sunshine State as a postgraduate student.
With over 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida is the beach and sea lover’s dream destination – with powdery white sands and sparkling turquoise waters – the beaches of destinations such as Miami and the Florida Keys are must-visits. Readily available water-based activities include boating, fishing, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and tubing.
Florida is also home to theme parks and attractions aplenty – Orlando is home to Walt Disney World, not to mention Universal Studios, the Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld Orlando.
The Everglades National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and nature enthusiast’s paradise known for its birdlife and alligators. Other places of natural beauty in Florida include Dry Tortugas National Park and Crystal River, where you can swim with manatees.
What other US states can you study in?
There are plenty of LLM opportunities for those interested in the living and studying in the United States and we have essential LLM study guides to over 20 US states, including:
Use the LLM course search on LLMstudy.com to find your ideal LLM degree program in the United States.
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