Admission for the SAL Africa 2026-2027 Program Is Now Open

The Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (USA), and the School of American Law in Africa are now accepting applications for the SAL Africa Program 2026-2027. Applications are open until September 14, 2026.

Lawyers and professionals of non-law majors from African countries have the opportunity to complete the Pre-LL.M. stage and enroll in the LL.M. program at Chicago-Kent College of Law (USA) with a 70% discount on tuition.

“We believe that the future of legal innovation is global, and Africa plays a vital role in that future. We’ve seen growing interest in legal education from our alumni from African countries, and we’re proud to continue the SAL program (School of American Law) in Africa.  This program is a unique opportunity and it offers a 70% tuition scholarship, established to empower the next generation of African legal leaders”, – comments SAL Worldwide director, Professor Richard Warner.

The program consists of two interlinked parts:

• Pre-LL.M. (mandatory) — online (October 2026 - January 2027);
• LL.M. (optional) — on campus at the Chicago-Kent College of Law of the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, USA) after successfully completing studies at the Pre-LL.M stage and receiving a diploma of 5 academic credits signed by the Dean of the Chicago-Kent College of Law of the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Lecturers of the SAL program are among the best legal practitioners, including: 

• Prof. Adam Weber, a former prosecutor at the Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Associate Dean of International Programs at Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT;
• Prof. Jonathan Decatorsmith, Director of Clinical Education at the C-K Law Group, Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT, civil litigator and tax specialist, supervises the CK Tax Clinic;
• Prof. Graham Dutfield, Professor of International Governance at the School of Law, University of Leeds (Leeds, UK);
• Prof. Edward Harris, Associate Professor of Legal Research and Writing, Former Associate Dean of International Programs at Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT;
• Prof. Richard Warner, SAL Worldwide Director, Professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT (Chicago, USA), member of the U.S. Secret Service's Electronic and Financial Crimes Taskforce, member of the U.S. Secret Service's Cyber Fraud Task Force;
• Prof. Geoffrey Mazullo, Professor of law, ESG Expert in Emerging Markets Organization, adjunct professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT;
• Prof. Alexander Rabanal, Assistant Teaching Professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

After completing the first (Pre-LL.M.) stage of the SAL Africa program, participants of law majors will be able to continue their studies at the following master’s (LL.M.) programs of the Chicago-Kent College of Law of the Illinois Institute of Technology:

• LL.M. in Trial Advocacy
• LL.M. in Global Business and Financial Law
• LL.M. in International Intellectual Property Law 
• LL.M. in Legal Innovation and Technology
• LL.M. in U.S., International and Transnational Law

While, participants of non-law majors will have the right to continue their master's studies in one of the following majors: 

• LL.M. in Global Business and Financial Law
• LL.M. in Legal Innovation and Technology
• LL.M. in U.S., International and Transnational Law
• LL.M. in International Intellectual Property Law (for applied science and information technology professionals with prior approval from the LL.M. program director at Chicago-Kent)

After graduating from the Pre-LL.M stage, SAL Africa program (law and non-law majors) students may also choose to continue their studies with the two-year Dual LL.M. & M.B.A. degree program, including M.B.A. in business analytics (STEM).

Graduates of the SAL Africa program who successfully complete the program are provided with:

• 3 years after graduation from the SAL Program, students have a guaranteed right to continue their LL.M. studies at Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT; 
• For countries subject to U.S. visa restrictions: within 3 years after the visa restrictions are lifted, graduated students have a guaranteed right to continue their LL.M. studies at Chicago-Kent College of Law, IIT;
• 100% guarantee of admission to Chicago-Kent College of Law IIT (Chicago, USA) after successful completion of the SAL Program and meeting the admission requirements;
• 70% tuition waiver for the LL.M;
• No need to take the TOEFL / IELTS exam;
• Support with obtaining an American student visa.

Program duration:

• Pre-LL.M. — 5 weekends from October 2026 to January 2027 (Online)
• LL.M. in Chicago, USA — 9 months (In Person/Onsite)

*During the Pre-LL.M. stage, classes are held once or twice a month via Zoom, only on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Who can apply?

• Legal Practitioners: Practicing lawyers, attorneys, judges, and prosecutors (regardless of age).
• Degree Holders: Professionals with a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, or Doctor of Philosophy in Law.
• Students: 4th and 5th-year law students.
• Non-Legal Professionals: Experts in economics, applied sciences, IT, management, political science, history, sociology, and journalism. 

All applicants must be proficient in English at the Intermediate level or above.

Opportunities after receiving an LL.M. in the USA: 

• Work in international companies that require quality international legal education 
• Obtain the right to take the bar exam in the USA (in nearly all the 50 States, including New York and California Bar)
• Start legal practice* in the USA upon being licensed by the Bar

* International students may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their studies, allowing them to work in the USA. Students enrolled in the Dual LL.M. & M.B.A. program may also qualify for OPT and, subject to applicable requirements, an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.

Tuition fee for the SAL Africa Program for the 2026-2027 academic year is as follows:

• Pre-LL.M -- $2,900 (tuition can be divided into two parts)
• LL.M (optional) -- *$14,000 (9-month program (one academic year); 24 credits; tuition can be divided into two or four parts)

or

• Dual LL.M. & M.B.A. (optional) -- *$53,570 for two academic years (SAL Africa students will pay $13,393 per semester for the Dual LL.M. & M.B.A. program and become eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) employment during their second year of enrollment at Chicago-Kent)

*Paid upon commencement of studies in the USA.

Admission process

All applicants are required to submit the following:

• CV with 1 one page cover letter (in English)
• Copy of diploma or academic transcript

*Your first and last names in your CV must be indicated as in your foreign passport.

Documents should be submitted in PDF format (copies of the diploma may also be sent in JPEG) through the application form on the program’s website (https://salkentlaw.africa/apply) or by email hello@salkentlaw.africa

Deadline — September 14, 2026.

All candidates will receive a decision on enrollment within two weeks from the date of document submission.

SAL program partners in Africa are: Eagle Altitudes Law Practice, MOU Legal Practitioners.

More about the SAL Africa Program: https://salkentlaw.africa

Details

The School of American Law (SAL Program) is associated with the Chicago-Kent College of Law of the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago, USA). SAL successfully functions in different European and Asian countries. The program is based on Chicago-Kent's experience offering American Law studies in Europe since 1998. 

The School of American Law (SAL Program) was established as a special overseas program for Africa. The program's mission is to help the African community achieve its potential, providing Africa with internationally qualified lawyers.

Chicago-Kent College of Law, part of the Illinois Institute of Technology, is the second-oldest and one of the most prestigious law schools in Illinois. Chicago-Kent’s intellectual property law program is ranked as the ninth (#9) program in the U.S., and its trial advocacy program is ranked as the twelfth-best program in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report 2025 rankings.

Chicago-Kent College of Law, a nationally recognized institution and part of the Illinois Institute of Technology, has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1936 and has held that accreditation continuously for over 90 years. It is also widely known for its rigorous legal training and commitment to academic and professional excellence.