Studying an LLM (Master of Laws) Program in Indiana

Indiana is located in the mid-west of America and is one of the eight states that make up the Great Lakes Region. The Great Lakes are in fact five interconnected bodies of water that span hundreds of miles. The coastlines and countryside of this region are rugged and beautiful, and most importantly these stunning areas are mostly accessible to visitors. Indiana is described as being based at the 'Crossroads of America' and is surrounded by the US states of Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Illinois to the west.

6 reasons why Indiana is a great place to study

Indiana is home to some world-class universities, offering excellent opportunities for study.

The region is rich in farm land as well as urban hubs, making the people of Indiana are some of the most down-to-earth and hospitable in the USA.

There is an array of fantastic cultural attractions from museums to galleries and theatres.

Sports are popular and the state plays host to some big name teams from the world of soccer, football and basketball.

To relax and get away from it all, just head over to one of the many stunning state parks.

Indiana is proud of its heritage and steeped in history, visitors can learn about Native Americans at Angel Mounds or experience life in the 1930s at Colonel Jones Home.

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Indiana – Crossroads of America

The state capital of Indiana is Indianapolis, and there are also many other major cities in this state with excellent local, national and international transport links. This part of the USA enjoys a relatively humid climate with colder winters and warm rainy summers, making it a popular tourist destination throughout the year.

Law schools in Indiana

Indiana is extremely welcoming to foreign students and as far as living expenses, it is one of the most affordable areas of the United States. Universities are very supportive of their international visitors and offer a variety of enrichment programs designed to help students improve their language skills. The four major educational establishments offering an LLM course in Indiana are:

Maurer School of Law, University of Indiana: Widely considered as being among the best in its class, the Maurer School of Law has a proud 150 year history of educating legal students.

Robert H McKinney School of Law, Indiana University: Situated in a metropolitan location at the heart of Indianapolis, the Robert H McKinney School of Law is ideal for students who are after a rich cultural environment.

University of Notre Dame, Indiana: The University of Notre Dame has a small campus that includes everything students need in walking distance, it is a Catholic university but accepts applicants from a variety of faiths.

Indiana Tech Law School, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Indiana Tech has an average student age of 35 and is able to house over 45% of its pupils on campus which some overseas students may prefer.

LLM programs in Indiana

The LLM or Master of Laws is an extremely popular choice amongst undergraduates and is primarily aimed at international students. There are two main options available, though both require students to complete at least two semesters residence at a university. Choose a non-thesis LLM which will award you 24 credit hours or add on the thesis course. Writing the thesis takes up a third semester and can be applied for after a student’s first semester on the non-thesis program – it awards an extra six credit hours.

Law student's perspective

People come to Indiana to study law from all over the United States and the world. Some are fresh from high school, whilst others have spent time in employment before deciding to take a qualification in law.

Dan O'Reilley is a mature student who graduated from his first degree in 2004, he then went on to work in counter terrorism for the Defence Intelligence Agency. He chose Maurer School of Law in Indiana for his next career move partly for its reputation, but also the congenial atmosphere. He explains: “It wasn’t as competitive as I expected. There’s no question my classmates are all brilliant over-achievers, but it’s still a very collegial environment. I missed a class a couple weeks ago, and without even asking, three people sent me their notes. I would also say the professors are very approachable. I half-expected some ivory tower academics, but it’s the opposite. They genuinely want you to learn the material and encourage office-hour visits.”

Tuition fees & living costs in Indiana

The cost of full-time tuition at an average school of law in Indiana is likely to be around $29,500 for the year 2014/15. However, on top of that prospective students will need to factor in a number of other costs; the parking permit on most campuses is $180, the cost of books and writing equipment can reach $2,500 and it is likely that your living expense may be around $12,350 for room and board for the year. This comes in at a total of $44,539, but naturally you will incur other costs depending on your lifestyle.

International students admissions & applications advice

Indiana international law student

All LLM applicants are expected to hold a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), or an equivalent degree in law or in a subject that includes coursework with a legal focus. If English is not a student’s first language they are expected to demonstrate their competency with a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 87 IBT, or 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or 850 in the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) or the equivalent grade in another format. However, if a promising student with a strong educational background fails to meet these criteria by a few points, most schools will not dismiss their application outright.

If you are interested in studying law at an Indiana university as an international student, you will first need to complete an online application form. These are available on each universities website and are created with help from the Law School Admissions Council. At this early stage the institution needs to establish whether you are qualified and eligible to attend one of their courses, most include a facility for you to check the progress of your application.

What to do in Indiana when you aren’t studying

When you’re taking a break from your academic work, Indiana offers a wealth of diverse attractions – these include:

• Mountain biking at the Great Lakes

• Watching a movie at the huge IMAX screen in Indianapolis

• A day in the water at Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari

• The chance to find out about the area from pre-history to the present day at Indiana State Museum.

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:

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