1) Do I need to be a lawyer to attend the Program?
An LL.M. degree is an advanced law degree. You can’t earn an LL.M. without first having
a law degree.
Some students attend law school with a specialization in mind and plan to attend the
LL.M. Program after graduating from law school. We provide special opportunities to
JD candidates at the University of Arkansas who are interested in food and agricultural
law studies.
Some graduate students in related disciplines take LL.M. classes that they can transfer
to their graduate degree program. While they cannot earn the LL.M. degree, they may
be able to receive graduate credit for taking LL.M. classes, subject to their department
policies.
2) Do I need to have any background in agriculture or the food industry?
No, applicants are not required to have any personal or academic background in either
agriculture or the food industry. Experience growing up on a farm, an undergraduate
or graduate degree in an agricultural or food studies field, or related experiences
may be relevant in establishing your interest in our Program, but no such experience
is required. Interest in learning more about the laws that frame our food system is
what the committee will be looking for.
The LL.M. Program is a rigorous academic program, so an applicant’s law school performance
will be an important indicator of success. A law school grade-point average of 2.50
or higher on a 4.00 scale is expected; 3.00 or higher is preferred.
However, the committee also considers professional experience and personal circumstances
in evaluating the significance of law school grades. For example, professional success
and experience may make law school grades less important. Similarly, the committee
might look favorably upon a student who struggled initially but then showed improved
performance throughout law school. Applicants are welcome to provide explanatory statements
regarding their academic performance.
4) What should I write about in my Statement of Interest?
The LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law provides a specialized curriculum of
courses that are all focused on different aspects of our food system, from farm to
fork. The Committee seeks to admit students that are interested in this course of
study. The Statement of Interest is your opportunity to tell the committee why you
want to attend the Program. Your Statement should articulate your interests and describe
why you want to earn your degree in this specialized area of law. Most Statements
are 500-1500 words long. Your Statement should be well written.
International applicants who come from countries where agricultural and food law is
not a recognized area of law may struggle to articulate their interests. These applicants
are encouraged to write about important issues that are directly related such as land
use, land tenure, food safety, import and export of agricultural commodities, food
security, and climate change.
5) Who should I ask to provide my letter of recommendation?
For applicants who have recently graduated from law school, it is helpful to have
a letter of recommendation from one of your professors. However, if it has been a
long time since you were in school, a more recent professional contact might be better.
You should pick someone who knows you and who can attest to your academic abilities
and your professional integrity. It is best to pick someone who will be objective
in their assessment. For example, a letter from a relative or a close friend will
not be as persuasive as one from a more objective source.
A writing sample is not required, but if you have an example of your professional
writing that you think will bolster your application, you are welcome to submit it
along with your application.
The application cycle officially begins October 15th for admission to the following
year’s class. However, the Program has a rolling admissions policy, and applications
will continue to be accepted until all candidate positions are filled.
8) Is there are difference if I am applying for full- or part-time attendance?
No, the LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law is a fully integrated degree program.
Students apply for admission under a unified process and when admitted, they are able
to attend the Program in whatever form is most convenient and affordable.
Full-time students generally complete the Program in two semesters; part-time students
have four years to complete their studies. Students can shift their status throughout
their enrollment, semester by semester. Students only pay for the courses they enroll
in each semester.
9) Is there are difference if I am applying for distance attendance?
The LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law is a fully integrated degree program.
Students apply for admission under a unified process and when admitted, they are able
to attend the Program by distance or on-campus at their choice, with the following
considerations.
Distance students attend synchronous classes by video conference, with class recordings
available for approved absences. However, tuition rates may vary significantly. Distance
students pay tuition at an in-state rate along with fees based on remote participation,
regardless of where they are located. On-campus attendance by students with out-of-state
residency will be charged out-of-state tuition and fees. Students can shift their
status throughout their enrollment, semester by semester.
International students who wish to attend on-campus must complete the University of
Arkansas Supplemental and Financial Information Form and provide evidence of sufficient
financial support to cover the costs of their study at the University of Arkansas,
as determined by the Office of Graduate and International Recruitment and Admissions.
Students must obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa in order to enter the U.S. or renew their
visa status in order to remain here. These requirements do not apply to a student
who attends by distance.
10) Are there scholarships or graduate assistantships available?
Tuition for the University of Arkansas LL.M. Program is much lower than many other
schools, and we pride ourselves on keeping our costs low for our students. Distance
students automatically are provided with the benefit of the low in-state Arkansas
tuition rate.
We have two scholarship funds that are generally reserved for on-campus LL.M. students
or emergency assistance for a student who is already enrolled.
Admitted LL.M. candidates from underrepresented groups are eligible to apply for the
University of Arkansas Graduate School Benjamin Lever Tuition Fellowship. This is
limited to on-campus students.
We offer several Graduate Assistantships (GAs) each year that offer a tuition waiver,
a small monthly stipend, and access to University health insurance at a shared cost.
Because distance students already receive the in-state tuition benefit, GAs and LL.M.
scholarships are generally only available to students who study with us on-campus
in Fayetteville. Students are considered for assistance after they are admitted to
the Program.
External scholarships can often be applied to LL.M. studies at the University of Arkansas.
We have admitted students with Fulbright scholarships and frequently have RUSLEF students
in the Program.
