Master of Laws (LLM) Programs

The time required to earn an LLM degree at the University of San Diego may depend on a few variables, such as whether the student is taking courses full time or part time.

• The Business and Corporate Law LLM can be finished in as little as one year, or as many as four years.
• The Comparative Law LLM is completed within one academic year if taken full-time, and three years if part-time (pending visa requirements).
• The General LLM law degrees can be earned in as little as one year or as many as six years (Candidates who elect the Intellectual Property Law concentration may have an LLM program of just one semester, as noted below).
• The International Law LLM can be finished in as little as one year, or as many as four years.
• The LLM in Spanish candidates may complete the degree requirements in as little as one year.
• The LLM in Taxation degree requirements may be fulfilled in as little as one semester or as many as four years.

Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the financial obligations of registering at the University of San Diego School of Law, as well as the tuition, fees and living expenses outlined on our cost of attendance page. Making the decision to advance your legal career with our Master of Laws program is an incredible return on your investment.

We offer the option to take LLM courses part-time (pending visa requirements), which is considered to be eight or fewer credits, with classes available throughout the day and into the evening. If a part-time student’s situation changes, they can file a petition to begin taking the LLM courses full-time.

Yes, we are pleased to offer the online LLM in Spanish and the Online LLM in U.S. Law program.

Although there is no restriction against most students working throughout the duration of their LLM courses, we strongly discourage full-time students pursuing LLM degree from engaging in any employment while juggling a heavy academic load. Finally, the majority of international visa students have employment restrictions and should consult with their advisor before engaging in any employment.

U.S. applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a U.S. law school. International applicants must possess the equivalent of a U.S. law degree from an accredited institution outside of the U.S. All prospective students are advised to learn more about our LLM admission requirements.

First and foremost, the University of San Diego values applicants who will bring a diverse perspective to our community. Our law school is also seeking LLM applicants who have completed their JD degree (or JD equivalent if located internationally), and if the school uses a ranking system, applicants who are ranked in the top 50% of their class.

All students are expected to familiarize themselves with our Master of Laws graduation requirements, which are outlined in the links below:

• LLM in Business and Corporate Law
• LLM in International Law
• LLM in Taxation and JD/LLM in Taxation
• General LLM with Concentration
• LLM in Comparative Law
• Maestría en Derecho (LLM) en Derecho Comparado

Pending approval, JDs from other law schools may be eligible to transfer their advanced tax credits to the LLM in Taxation program. Credits from other law schools cannot be transferred to our other LLM programs.

Upon approval by the Director, LLM candidates may be permitted to enroll in some graduate-level courses outside the University of San Diego School of Law and transfer those credits (three to six maximum, depending on the program) to their respective program, provided they earn at least a B.

The University of San Diego School of Law accepts transfer students, however, prior LLM course credits will not be transferred (except in the case of LLM in Taxation candidates, as noted above). In certain instances, some required courses may be waived.

No, we do not offer concurrent degrees. However, University of San Diego JD graduates have the opportunity to earn an LLM in Taxation or a General LLM with an Intellectual Property concentration in just one additional semester after completing the JD degree. In some cases, JD graduates from other law schools are also eligible to earn an LLM in Taxation in one semester.

For students interested in earning an LLM at the University of San Diego Law School, please review our LLM requirements, and submit your free online application.