An Online LLM Program: When to Consider It?

Online LLM programs are offered fully online. Programs may have live classes that are attended via Zoom or Skype at a specific time, or they may be asynchronous, where the information is presented in a pre-recorded manner so that students can log on when they have time to complete the lectures.

An online LLM is similar to an in-person degree. Students must complete assignments in the same amount of time, and attendance is monitored through the completion of assignments. Students usually attend live chat sessions with their fellow students. Many law schools and universities offer and recommend brief in-person residencies during the term so students can meet faculty and other students.

The LLM resembles a PhD program more than an undergraduate or graduate degree since all students already have an advanced graduate degree. The typical LLM course will only have one or two required classes, and the remainder of the course will consist of electives from the upper tiers of the law school curriculum. Students and their graduate advisor will develop a program that best meets their focus area.

Only international students taking the LLM as a bar preparation class will have required classes. These students must complete classes on the U.S. legal system, the U.S. Constitution, and other bar-specific classes.

The LLM program is intended for individuals who already have their Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited American law school, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or a similar degree from another country. Non-attorneys from the United States typically do not qualify for any LLM programs in the U.S.

Online LLM programs are designed for working attorneys who want an advanced post-graduate degree that lets them specialize in a narrow practice area, usually for tax or government work. These individuals often have busy practices and need the flexibility of an online course with the ability to focus their study time without extraneous class material.

LLMs in International Law are intended for international attorneys and legal students who have a degree from a foreign institution that resembles an American JD, but which does not meet U.S. accreditation standards. Rather than force these individuals to retake their entire law degree, the LLM lets them learn the basics of American jurisprudence and so they can take the bar exam for their state.

Some foreign nations allow non-attorneys to obtain LLMs. These schools have their own set of admissions requirements, and applicants should review them carefully before applying. Also, keep in mind differences in time zones, languages, and transferability when researching these courses.

Because of the narrow focus of the LLM, non-attorneys would do better in other legal graduate programs. Other alternatives, such as the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), are more appropriate for professionals working in legal-adjacent fields. Individuals working or planning a career in healthcare, regulatory compliance, or similar fields would benefit more from an MLS than from the narrowly focused legal degree of an LLM.

As a post-graduate degree, specializations depend on what the student wants to focus on. Most attorneys want their LLM in a niche practice area, such as tax law or patent law. Others use the degree to become administrative law judges (ALJ) in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and mediation practices.

Each law school has its own set of admission requirements. Students should take time to research the programs carefully and request more information from the admissions office. The information presented on the school’s website is not always current, so always contact the admissions office directly before applying.

In general, students should expect to submit:

Some law schools only accept LLM applications through LSAC. If you’ve applied to any school through LSAC, you may need to reopen your existing account.

When you start researching LLM programs, your first consideration should be the accreditation. Nearly all law schools will be ABA-accredited. If you choose a non-ABA-accredited school, be aware that financial aid may not be available through the Bar Association.

LSAC cannot accept applications from certain U.S.-sanctioned nations. American students who want to attend schools outside the U.S. (for instance, if you do not have your JD and want an LLM) should be aware of the risks of attending school in sanctioned nations, even through online courses.

Other things to consider include:

The LLM is a post-graduate degree for individuals already employed in law or academia. Typically, individuals who get their LLM do so to enhance their employability and increase their pay scale or opportunities for promotion and job enhancement. For example, a tax attorney in a law firm might want an LLM to improve their position within the firm.

Other career options for an LLM can include: