Admitted S.J.D. Students
Welcome to the University of Minnesota Law School!
We are looking forward to welcoming our new SJD students for the first day of fall semester on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Please read below to learn about life on campus and in Minneapolis! Feel free to contact Lulu, our current student worker, with any questions at [email protected].
- SJD Student Handbook (coming soon!)
- Law School Academic Calendar
- What to do as soon as you arrive in Minneapolis
- Arrival Transportation Information
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
The ISSS New Student website has many resources to help you understand and adjust to life at the University of Minnesota and in the United States, whether you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa, as well as critical pre-arrival requirement details. Other useful information includes a new student handbook, details about campus-wide events, and links to each step of the incoming international student processes!
After you have submitted your commitment form and paid the seat deposit, the law school International Programs department will send you instructions on how to request your I-20 document through the MyISSS portal. The I-20 document allows you to apply for an F-1 student visa. Learn more about the materials you must submit for your I-20 related to finances on the University's financial documentation policies website.
If you do not need a visa to enter the US, the University still must ensure all students are aware of and understand the costs of earning a degree. This financial certification form is required for all students who will enroll at Minnesota Law but do not need the University to support them in obtaining a student visa.
Course Registration
To begin your registration process, first look through the online course guide and choose 6-8 courses that look interesting to you and relevant to your research. Filter by "fall 2026" in the "semester" field to see only the classes that are offered this coming fall. Then, review the law school course and exam schedules posted on the Academic Planning website to double check that you can enroll in about 12 credits worth of your highest priority courses without any overlapping.
Next, send your advisor an email to see what they think of your plan and if they have any other recommendations either for fall or spring semester. After your advisor approves of your proposed schedule, you are ready to finalize your enrollment. Send an email to Kara Galvin at [email protected] and CC your advisor with a list of the courses you want to enroll in (make sure you include the four-digit course number; i.e. "LAW 6021"), including at least one or two extra courses in case one of your top choices is full, and she will work with the law school registrar to administratively enroll you.
Health Insurance and Immunizations
Your comprehensive U of M health coverage officially begins in late August. If you need to see a doctor due to an illness or emergency between your arrival and that date, you will be covered. Your health insurance will automatically be billed to your student account, which should be paid the first week or so of the semester. If dependents will accompany you, you are required to purchase coverage for them immediately after your arrival. A separate form is required to enroll your dependents in U of M health insurance. Visit the Boynton Health Services website for international students to learn more about the mandatory health coverage.
For your immunization form and any questions regarding required immunizations, please visit Boynton Health Services immunization website. To get a general idea of how things work in the US, we encourage all incoming students to watch this one-hour video from ISSS about Navigating the US Healthcare System.
Housing and Living Guides
Limited short-term summer housing is available through the International Early Arrival Housing Center. You will be able to make reservations on their website starting in early July. To learn more about University-owned housing options for graduate and professional students, please visit the Graduate Student Housing website. In the unlikely event you have an issue with leasing an apartment, you may contact Student Legal Services (SLS) and access their tenant resource guide and receive legal guidance.
- Housing Guide for LL.M., Exchange, and SJD students
- Housing and Living Guide Map
- Roommate Finder
- Banking in Minneapolis
- Purchasing Items
- Transportation in Minnesota
- Markets in Minneapolis
- Twin Cities Accolades
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Your student account will be billed around the start of each semester. For additional information about billing, due dates, and how to pay, visit the OneStop finance website. If you have received a scholarship and/or paid a seat deposit, please wait to pay your tuition bill until you confirm that those have been credited to your student account.
US Legal System Overview
Want to learn more about the US legal system before you arrive here in Minnesota? Below is a short list of books recommended by Minnesota Law professors to give you a general overview of our legal system.
- Outline of the US Legal System - created by the United States Department of State
- The Federal Court System in the United States - An introduction for judges and judicial administrators in other countries; created by the Administrative Office of US Courts.
Opportunity to Help TOEFL Research Project
Did you recently take the IELTS Academic test? Do you plan to take it soon? Read this information sheet to learn more about helping TOEFL collect data on comparing IELTS and TOEFL scores.
* Minnesota Law does not endorse any specific English proficiency exam.