Online LL.M. Admissions
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We accept applicants from a range of backgrounds but all are required
- To hold an LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws), LL.M. (Master of Laws), or J.M. (Juris Master) in a foreign country or to take the equivalent of the bar examination in that country; or
- Are qualified to practice law in a foreign country.
Key Dates
| Semester | Deadline | Program starts |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | July 1, 2023 | August 28, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | November 1, 2023 | January 8 2024 |
Steps to Apply
1. Complete the Online Application which consists of:
- Contact and background information
- Enrollment history from all previously attended institutions
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Optional: Up to 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Pay the one-time, nonrefundable $70 Application Fee
2. Submit Transcripts
If you do not have your official evaluated transcripts at the time of application please upload unofficial transcripts and graduation conferral (certificate of graduation) with English translation from all previously attended institutions to your application for initial review. If accepted, you must submit official evaluated transcripts from all previously attended institutions before the first day of class.
3. Submit the English Language Test Requirements
Applicants who have not graduated from a U.S. institution of higher education are required to submit official test scores from one of the following:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), achieving a minimum of 90 (Internet-based total);
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), achieving a minimum of 6; or
- Duolingo English Test, achieving a minimum of 95.
William & Mary will not accept scores older than two years at the time of application.
International applicants who meet the following condition may be considered for admission without submitting English language scores:
- English is the applicant's country's official language; or
- The applicant's Bachelor's degree (or higher) was earned from a country where English is both the official language and the institution's language of instruction; or
- The applicant's Bachelor's degree or higher was earned from an institution accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency.
4. Request Official Transcript Evaluation
Request an evaluation of official transcripts through the International Advantage Credential Package (ICAP) provided by the World Education Services (WES). Applicants may substitute another credential service if the service is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), and the service provides transcript verification and credit evaluation.
U.S. Bar Exam Information
The Online LL.M. Program 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. However, after graduating from the program, many LL.M. students choose to take a U.S. bar exam in California, the District of Columbia, or Washington State, the jurisdicitions that currently allow foreign-trained attorneys with online course credits to sit for the bar exam. Students who are interested in qualifying for the District of Columbia bar exam should plan on enrolling in at least 28 credits during their program of study.
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.