LLM Educational Program with UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings)

Highlights

The program gives a solid and international preparation in several areas of Law, pursuing an LLM in U.S. Legal Studies.

Participant students may choose to specialize in one of the following areas and receive an LLM and a Certificate of Specialization upon graduation:

• Criminal Law
• Dispute Resolution and Legal Process
• Environmental Law
• Health Law and Policy
• International Business and Trade
• International Law and Human Rights
• Science, Technology & Intellectual Property
• Taxation

Prospective LLM-EP students may review a list of courses in the UC Law SF Course Catalog.  Please note that some courses (particularly seminars) may not be offered each year.

UC Law SF' faculty is comprised of a diverse and exciting group of outstanding teachers and nationally acclaimed scholars.

The breadth and depth of the curriculum enable students to master the complexity of contemporary legal doctrines and gain the theoretical tools necessary to re-conceptualize entire fields of law. UC Law SF graduates are ready to take on the challenges of a changing economy and the global practice of law.

The program is a tuition-paying program. In addition to Luiss tuition fees, students participating in this program also pay tuition fees to UC Law SF with a 50% discount, hence the final tuition payable to UC Law SF for Luiss students, for the 2025-26 academic year is around $27,500. 

In addition, Luiss students must pay mandatory administrative fees and health insurance fees if they do not apply for and receive approval for waiver.

Academic Coordinators

Prof. Alessio Persiani | apersiani@luiss.it   

Single Commission

Prof. Daniele Gallo | dgallo@luiss.it

Prof. Alessia Farano | afarano@luiss.it

Prof. Barbara de Donno | bdedonno@luiss.it 

Prof. Pietro Pustorino | pustorin@luiss.it 

Application Process

The Call for Application is published on Early December 2024 and students will be able to apply starting from  8 January 2025. Further information on the deadlines are reported in the table below. Details regarding the application process that are not available in this web page, will be available in the Call for Applications 2025/26, uploaded in the 'Useful documents' section at the bottom of this page.

Who can apply

Students enrolled in the fourth year of the single-cycle Master’s program in Law. According to their major, students can apply for:

• LL.M. in International Business and Trade open to students majoring in Diritto internazionale, Law and Innovation, Diritto Societario e Tributario, Diritto ed Economia delle Imprese, Diritto Civile;
• LL.M. in Environmental Law open to students majoring in Law and Innovation, Diritto Amministrativo
• LL.M in International Law and Human Rights open to students majoring in Diritto internazionale
• LL.M in Health Law and Policy open to students majoring in Law and Innovation, Diritto Amministrativo
• LL.M. in Taxation open to students majoring in Diritto Societario e Tributario
• LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Legal Process open to students majoring in Diritto civile
• LLM in Criminal Law open to students majoring in Diritto penale
• LLM in Science, Technology & Intellectual Property open to students majoring in Law in innovation, Diritto ed Economia delle Imprese

Available slots

Every year a total of 5 students can take part in the program.

Requirements

Candidates for this program should have the following requirements:

• Weighted average grade equal to or above 27/30
• Credits: at least 180 ECTS by the application deadline
• The student must have a high level of English proficiency, to be certified by one of the following:
  • TOEFL min. 90 IBT
  • IELTS minimum of 7.0

The language certificates must not be older than two years from the start of the mobility (August/September 2025). Applicants must meet the requirements using a single test. 

Selection Procedure

Luiss University will select a shortlist of candidates based on a non-disputable evaluation of the academic profile and the motivation of the student. Further details about the selection process would be published along with the call publication.

Results will be communicated to UC Law SF which reserves the right to make the final choice.

Selection Criteria

The selection follows a 3-step process:

Recap of the Deadlines

Disclaimer: dates might be subject to change; please refer to this webpage for the latest updates.

Useful Links 

• When to apply
• Useful Information
• Brochure- LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies

While every effort will be made to provide students with complete, accurate and timely information, Luiss reserves the right to change, amend, modify or revoke the aforementioned program.
Luiss is not responsible for any cancellation or modification due to events beyond its control. If the program is cancelled or modified for these reasons, Luiss will inform all interested students in a timely manner.