Online LLM in U.S. Law

Our online LLM program meets the needs of foreign-trained lawyers seeking knowledge of U.S. Law to improve their legal skill set and the requirements for students to sit for California, Washington, and Washington, D.C. Bar exams without neglecting professional and personal commitments. With a cost per credit hour of only $1,200, our LLM in U.S. Law is one of the most affordable in the United States. Our program has courses specifically created for foreign lawyers and designed for flexibility, providing just what you need: a comprehensive overview of U.S. Law, in a format that allows you to stay in your home country and to balance your work and other commitments.

We are now accepting applications, request more information today.

About the Online LLM in U.S. Law

As a foreign trained lawyer, you can earn your U.S. Law LLM in one year, 100% online – and all that is needed is a computer, an internet connection, and commitment. Lawyers will listen to lectures, complete course assignments, and take exams online, all on days or times most convenient for their schedule.

Here are a few reasons why you should choose Mason Law’s Online LLM in U.S. Law:

  • You can earn your LLM without breaking the bank: With a cost per credit hour of only $1,200, our LLM in U.S. Law is one of the most affordable in the United States.
  • You can earn your LLM from a top-ranked law school: Mason Scalia Law is ranked #4 for Part-Time Law Programs and in the top 40 law schools by U.S. News and World Report.
  • You can qualify for a U.S. bar exam: Improve your legal skill set and meet the requirements to sit for the California, Washington, and Washington, D.C. Bar exams.
  • You don’t have to leave your full-time job: Designed for working professionals like you; earn your LLM part-time, 100% online, with asynchronous coursework in as little as 1 year or as long as 3 years.

Learn More About the Online LLM in U.S. Law

Complete the form below to get more information on the Online LLM in U.S. Law and connect with a member of our admissions team.

Program Details

Part-Time, 100% Online Format

Students complete the program at their own pace – in an engaging, asynchronous environment allowing busy professionals the flexibility needed to complete coursework and participate at times that best fit their schedule, regardless of professional obligations or time zones.

Our courses are specifically designed for the online learning environment and use state-of-the-art pedagogical techniques including pre-recorded lectures, free online reading materials, practice quizzes or assessments, virtual office hours, and discussion boards that “bring to life” the legal topics covered in the lectures. Throughout our courses, students will interact and have the opportunity to network with expert faculty and peers from around the world.

Flexible, 8-Week Courses

Students register for 2 sessions each semester, each consisting of 8-week courses. These sessions typically begin on the following schedule:

  • Fall Session 1: August
  • Fall Session 2: October
  • Spring Session 1: January
  • Spring Session 2: March
  • Summer Session 1: May
  • Summer Sessions 2: July

New students may join the program during any of the above sessions, meaning they have two starts per term.

Financing and Financial Aid

To help bring your LLM within reach financially, the university offers a variety of payment plans. These plans help you space out your payment over a series of installments rather than pay in one upfront sum. Explore payment plan options.

Additionally, while there are no university scholarships offered for students in the Online LLM in U.S. Law, our cost per credit of $1,200 is one of the lowest in the country among LLM programs of this kind. We also recommend looking into outside scholarship opportunities if you wish to offset the cost of your degree.

Academic Advising and Career Planning

Prior to the beginning of classes, students in the Online LLM in U.S. Law program can meet with an Academic Advisor 1:1 to discuss their legal education goals and plan their track to graduation. Academic advisors are also available to answer any questions students may have pertaining to course selection, adding or dropping a course, graduation requirements, etc.

Students will also have access to Mason Scalia Law’s job board which lists ~800 jobs with a variety of employers, as well as Career Counselors who can help students chart a path to their post-graduate careers.

Bar Planning and BARBRI Bar Prep Discount

For students who plan to take the Bar in Washington State, Washington, D.C., and California, Bar advising* resources are available. Our dedicated bar support team will work with you 1:1 to provide a plan for preparing for the bar exam, including determining state bar requirements** and researching eligibility for the bar exam, location of key resources, designing a course of study for the bar exam, financial planning, and other key skills needed to tackle the bar exam.

For our online U.S. Law LLM students, the law school has arranged access to the International BARBRI Bar Prep Program for a 50% discounted rate of $2,995. The BARBRI International Bar Preparation program is designed specifically for non-U.S. graduates. By focusing on both the exam techniques that international students find difficult to master and the most frequently tested topics, the prep program enhances the prospect of achieving bar examination success.

*Please note: Bar Planning is different than Bar Prep. We still recommend students preparing to take the Bar exam explore Bar Prep opportunities like those offered by BARBRI: https://www.barbri.com/enroll/

**For students who wish to take the bar in states other than those listed above, we will be offering meetings with our team to discuss planning options.

Networking and Campus Opportunities

Students will have access to the Graduate Law School Association (GLSA) which provides networking, writing & journalism, professional development, career advancement, and social opportunities for LLM and JM students at Antonin Scalia Law School. The primary goals and purposes for the organization are as follows:

  • Networking and Peer to Peer Support
  • Production of a LLM Periodicals
  • Assistance in making the leap from LLM employment
  • Resume Bank
  • Virtual job fairs
  • Advocacy for inclusion into OCIs
  • Working collectively to get LLM resumes to employers
  • Social gatherings

Students will also have access to university services, including the law library and university events.

Simple No-Fee Initial Application Process

1. Submit your Initial Application

To start your application, you only need to submit the simple no-fee Initial Application along with an updated resume.

2. Schedule an Admissions Interview

The admissions office will contact you via email if you are selected for an informal, remote interview with the Director of the LLM program. If you have completed your initial application but have not heard back about scheduling an interview, please feel free to reach out via email llminfo@gmu.edu.

3a. Submit your Official Application

To apply, visit llm.LSAC.org and once you create an account/log in, add GMU to your LSAC profile. Next, fill out the GMU ONLINE LLM Application including:

  1. Required Transcript: Request and submit your official undergraduate transcript and official law school or equivalent transcript.
    • You may submit unofficial transcript while you wait for officials to arrive. Once you receive them, official transcript can be sent to llminfo@gmu.edu.
  2. Resume and Personal Statement: Submit your resume/CV and write a 500-word personal statement describing your personal and professional goals.
  3. Letter of Recommendation (as needed): Letter of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and professional potential may be required.
3b. Submit Proof of English Proficiency (as needed):

For applicants whose native language is not English, and do not possess a degree from a college or university whose primary language of instruction is English, a current TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score may be required. If submission of English proficiency is required, you will be told during your interview.

  • Institution code is 5827
  • Score Requirements:
    • TOEFL: Minimum of 90 in the iBT test
    • IELTS: Minimum of 6.5
    • Duolingo: Minimum of 110
4. Submit your Deposit and Enroll

If you are admitted to the Online LLM in U.S. Law program, you will receive an email with a link to submit your deposit.

Upon receiving your deposit, a member of the student support team will be in touch to provide you with recommendations for which classes to enroll in for your first term, as well as to answer any questions you may have regarding enrolling in classes.