Develop foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system
The Online LL.M. in American legal Studies is designed for internationally trained foreign attorneys and law graduates to develop foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system and to provide a competitive edge in an increasingly global legal environment. The program is ideal for legal professionals in international law firms or corporations, non-profits, NGOs, or in public or government service. Flexible start dates allow students to begin in either the fall or spring semester and most students complete the program within four semesters (including summer).
Two Programs Available
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On Campus (Full-Time, Two Semesters)
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Online (Part-Time, Four Semesters)
Program Highlights
Program Highlights
The Online LL.M. Program is structured to provide maximum flexibility to students who wish to pursue a degree without taking a break from their careers or relocating. All mandatory program components are 100% asynchronous to enable students to set their own pace and participate from any time zone. In addition to the core courses, students will gain practical experience in legal writing, research and fundamental lawyering skills that will support transactional or litigation-focused practices.
Courses are taught by prominent legal scholars, subject matter experts, and leading practitioners and will incorporate multiple learning modalities, including on-demand pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, practice bar exam-style questions, discussion forums, and simulations. Most courses will offer optional synchronous components in which students can interact live with professors and other students.
LL.M. Student Profiles
Global Citizen Lawyers Impacting Change Around the World
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Bridging Borders: Fang Chen’s Global Citizen Lawyer Experience at William & Mary Law School
With an already impressive background in law and a drive for international excellence, Fang Chen, an LL.M. student who graduated in 2012, is setting a precedent for aspiring lawyers worldwide. -
Singapore Army Veteran and Drapers' Scholar Euan Davies Sets Course for London Post LL.M. Achievement
Recent graduate Euan Davies LL.M. ‘24 shares his experience in the LL.M. program at William & Mary Law School. -
Bridging Continents Through Law - A Journey from Beijing to Williamsburg
Xinyi “Lea” Lin, a recent graduate of the LL.M. program at William & Mary Law School, shares her inspiring journey from Beijing to Virginia and the transformative impact of the citizen lawyer experience on her recent career achievements.
By the Numbers
We are committed to giving our students the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in their legal careers and make a meaningful difference in society. See our full list of rankings here.
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# 36
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# 24Criminal Law
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50Alumni Network in over 50 Countries and all 50 States
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# 17Faculty Scholarly Impact.
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# 17Constitutional Law
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# 16Professors (Teaching & Accessibility)
Bar Passage Information
U.S. Bar Exam Information
The Online LL.M. in American Legal Studies is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the U.S. legal system and is not intended as a U.S. bar examination preparation course. A small number of U.S. jurisdictions allow foreign-trained attorneys with online course credits to sit for the bar exam. We encourage students who are interested in taking a U.S. bar exam to review the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which lists bar eligibility requirements for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The guide is published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Get Started on Your Journey
Need More Information?
If you need more information about admissions or our programs, please get in touch with us.