LL.M. Degree
A graduate law program for international lawyers and law graduates
Welcome to William & Mary Law School's Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) program! Our innovative LL.M. program in American Legal Studies is designed for foreign-educated graduates and attorneys who want an edge in an increasingly globalized legal world. A flexible start date enables students to begin their studies in either the fall or spring semester. We have been welcoming students from all over the world since 1989 and our alumni span over 50 countries worldwide.
The Program
LL.M. Degree in American Legal Studies (Two-semester program)
Our two-semester, full-time program commences in the fall or spring semester, and ends with graduation in May or January, respectively. All students participate in a mandatory Law Week, which begins one week before the official start of the semester, and includes a series of classes about the American legal system as well as legal writing and research.
- Mandatory Law Orientation for Spring Semester 2024: January 12, 2024.
- Mandatory Law Week for Fall Semester 2024: August 12-16, 2024. (tentative)
LL.M. Degree with Advanced Specialization (Three-semester program)
William & Mary Law School offers an optional third semester LL.M. course of study to complement the two-semester program. LL.M. students must apply to be admitted to the third semester approximately 30 days before the registration for the spring or fall terms begins. More information will be provided in advance of that deadline.
To be eligible for the three semester program, LL.M. students are required to complete successfully, or have in progress, a total of at least 24 credit hours and satisfy all graduation requirements toward the two-semester program.
Subject to the credit hours requirements, LL.M. students admitted to the third semester will focus on one of the following concentrations:
- Business & Corporate Law;
- Constitutional Law;
- Criminal Law;
- Intellectual Property;
- International Law; or
- Methods of Dispute Resolution.
In order to satisfy the requirements for the three-semester program, students must take a minimum of 10 credit hours of qualifying courses within the chosen concentration. Such courses may be taken in any of the three semesters.
Upon completion of the third semester, students will receive their LL.M. Degree and their transcripts will reflect the successful completion of the Advanced Specialization in one of the six concentrations listed above.
Guidance will be provided on which subject-matter area is more suitable to each individual student.
Study plans
Our LL.M. students create their own program of study by either choosing a broad survey of courses or focusing on one of our many practice areas, such as business and corporate law or intellectual property law. They are fully integrated in the life of the Law School and take classes with their J.D. peers. Many also take the coursework necessary to qualify them to sit for the New York State Bar or other Bar Examinations.
Education at William & Mary is not limited to the classroom. Throughout the year, the Law School offers several programs and activities to enhance our students' legal study. LL.M. students have access to all the conferences and lectures held at the Law School (such as the Supreme Court Preview), and a number of special events curated just for them.
Scholarships
Please review information about scholarships in the Cost of the LL.M. Degree page.