Academic Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Americans apply to the LL.M. in Comparative Law Program?
- Do I need to have passed the bar exam or otherwise be admitted to practice law in my home country?
- Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
- Do you offer scholarships or other financial assistance?
- Do you offer Graduate Assistantships or Research Assistantships?
- What are the requirements for being a Florida resident for tuition purposes?
- Why must I submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility?
- Why is the application process so confusing?
- How do I find housing?
- Will a health insurance policy I have in my home country satisfy UF’s requirement for health insurance coverage?
- Will I need a car in Gainesville?
- Is it possible to work while I am a student?
- Is it possible to work in the U.S. after I graduate?
Q. Can Americans apply to the LL.M. in Comparative Law Program?
A. The Program is for applicants who have completed their first degree in law from a non-American university or comparable institution. The Program is not available to applicants with a J.D. degree from an American law school.
Q. Do I need to have passed the bar exam or otherwise be admitted to practice law in my home country?
A. No. An applicant must have received their first law degree, equivalent to a J.D. or LL.B. degree, by the time classes start here. It is not necessary to be admitted to practice law in your home country.
Q. Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
A. If your home country's official language is not English and if you have not been enrolled for one academic year or longer at a college or university in English-speaking country one year proceeding admission at UF, you must take the TOEFL and achive a minimum score of 600 (or 250 on the computer based test or 100 on the internet-based test) The University of Florida's institution code is 005812 and our department code is 03. If the Toefl is required, an application will not be approved until we receive the official score.
Q. Do you offer scholarships or other financial assistance?
A. Students from Latin America or the Caribbean qualify for a small scholarship which also makes the recipients eligible to pay tuition at the rate applicable to Florida residents. A student must maintain an overall 3.0 or better grade point average in order to retain this scholarship. In addition, the state of Florida has established linkage institute programs for several countries and regions. A limited number of well-qualified students who are citizens of "linkage" countries are permitted to pay resident rather than non-resident tuition for a specified number of credit hours. Linkage programs currently exist for Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, China, Costa Rica, Eastern Europe, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico and West Africa.
Q. Do you offer Graduate Assistantships or Research Assistantships?
A. The Comparative Law Program does not offer any Graduate Assistantships. Individual professors may hire one or more students as Research Assistants. It is best to contact directly faculty members whose area of interest coincides with yours to inquire about possibly working for them. Generally, Research Assistants work a maximum of 10 hours per week and are paid by the hour.
Q. What are the requirements for being a Florida resident for tuition purposes?
A. A "Florida resident for tuition purposes" is a person who has, or a dependent person whose parent or legal guardian has, established and maintained legal residency in Florida for at least twelve months. Residence in Florida must be as a bonafide domicile rather than for the purpose of maintaining a residence incident to enrollment at an institution of higher education. To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or legal alien granted indefinite stay by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Q. Why must I submit a Certificate of Financial Responsibility?
A. This information is required in order for you to receive a visa which will authorize you to travel to the United States and enroll as a student. After you have been advised that you have been admitted as a student in our LL.M. in Comparative Law Program, the completed Certificate of Financial Responsibility should be sent to the UF International Center, P.O. Box 113225, 123 Grinter Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-3225.
Q. Why is the application process so confusing?
A. The application process may seem confusing because there are two entities involved, each with different roles. The LL.M. in Comparative Law Program operates within the University of Florida Graduate School, along with other graduate programs such as Engineering and History.
The Graduate School Office of Admission determines your eligibility for admission to the University of Florida by, among other things, ensuring that you have submitted bonafide transcripts. The Application for Admission, official TOEFL score, official transcripts (and an English translation, if necessary) and the $30 application fee should be sent to the Office of Admission, P.O. Box 2946, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32602-2946.
The admissions committee of the LL.M. in Comparative Law Program, made up of members of the faculty of the College of Law, decides whether to accept your application for admission to our Program. This committee will read your letters of recommendation, your personal statement, and consider your academic and professional record in making its decision. The "Department Copy" of the Application form should be completed and sent, along with copies of your transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation and your TOEFL score, to Professor David M. Hudson, Director of the LL.M. in Comparative Law Program, P.O. Box 117643, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, FL 32611-7643.
A. There is a limited amount of on-campus housing available for graduate students. After completing your application for admission to UF and receiving a UF Student ID number, you may apply for on-campus housing with the University of Florida Division of Housing, P.O. Box 112100, Gainesville, FL 32611-2100. You should apply as soon as possible if you would like to live on-campus.
There are numerous apartment complexes, condominiums, houses and other accommodations for students in Gainesville. However, the campus is large (more than 2,000 acres) and the law school buildings are located at the north-west corner of the campus. Some apartments advertise that they are "close to campus" but if they are referring to the south-east edge of campus, that can be a long distance from the law school. Also, some apartments claim to be "on a bus route to campus" but it may require that you change busses once or twice to get to the law school, while other apartments are located on a direct bus line to the law school. It is recommended that you come to the LL.M. in Comparative Law Program office, Room 319, Holland Hall, before signing a lease for any accommodation.
Q. Will a health insurance policy I have in my home country satisfy UF’s requirement for health insurance coverage?
A. Probably not. The University requires all international students to have health insurance which must be offered by insurers licensed to write health insurance by the Florida Department of Insurance. More information can be obtained from the University of Florida International Center’s Handbook for International Students, available on the web at http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/handbook.htm.
Q. Will I need a car in Gainesville?
A. Gainesville has a population of about 110,000 and it is very spread-out; a car would be very useful. Having said that, parking at the law school is limited so many students take the bus, ride a bicycle or walk to school. Local bus service is free for UF students, but service is limited at nights and on weekends and holidays.
Q. Is it possible to work while I am a student?
A. Students with a F-1 or J-1 visa may work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and vacations.
Q. Is it possible to work in the U.S. after I graduate?
A. Students with a F-1 or J-1 visa may work for up to one year in the U.S. after graduating for optional practical training. Application for optional practical training authorization should be made at least four months prior to graduation. For more information go to http://ufic.ufl.edu/issdownloads.htm#14