Master of Laws (LLM) Online: Explore Top Programs

This course introduces students to the United States legal system and the types of reasoning U.S. legal professionals use. Coursework covers the principles and structures of the U.S. legal system and its judicial systems at the state and federal levels. Students also learn about the American government, sources of U.S. law, and the roles legal professionals play. By the end of this course, students have a strong understanding of U.S. legal systems and terminology.

Understanding the United States Constitution and modern approaches to constitutional law is essential for any legal professional who wants to work within the U.S. legal system. In this class, students receive a broad introductory look at federal constitutional law and theory. They cover topics such as judicial review, federalism, due process, individual rights, and separation of powers. Students also learn about constitutional amendments and their legal implications.

Torts are civil wrongs that cause harm to another person or their property. In this course, students learn how to apply the law to compensation concerns for these harms, whether done intentionally or unintentionally. Tort law can be complex. This class helps students understand by outlining the four essential elements of civil wrongs, how to prove these elements, and how to pursue damage claims on behalf of a client.

Potential lawsuits and how to handle them are ever-present realities of practicing law in the U.S. and as a part of international businesses, finance, and cybersecurity. This class gives students a grounding in how civil litigation works in the United States, covering the basics of everything from the initial pleading stages to appeals. Topics may include different types of lawsuits, discovery, trial procedures, arbitration, and appeals.

Criminal law is the area of law that outlines and defines conduct that is harmful to the property, health, safety, or welfare of people. In this class, students examine the fundamentals of criminal law in the United States. They learn about the criteria for imposing criminal liability, the principles of punishment, and the burden of proof. After taking this course, students have a stronger understanding of the law itself and the larger context of the U.S. criminal law system.

Almost all master of laws online or on-campus programs require applicants to have a previous professional degree in law, such as a JD or a bachelor of laws from the United States or from another country. You may also need proof of significant previous legal work experience.

Master of laws online programs are popular with students from countries outside of the United States. Because of this, U.S. colleges and universities often require applicants with a native language other than English to submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language or an approved alternative test.

After you’ve applied to a master of laws online program, the school may want to get to know you better through an admissions interview. For online LLM programs and international students, these interviews can be conducted remotely, so there’s no need to travel to schools for in-person interviews.

Many LLM programs request at least two letters of recommendation alongside your application. In most cases, at least one of these letters should be written by one of your previous law professors. The second should be written by a recent supervisor, preferably in the field of law.

Any master of laws online program you apply to will want to see your previous transcripts and academic records. Request them from any schools you’ve previously attended, including international schools. Transcripts from non-U.S. countries can take extra time to arrive, so plan ahead and apply early.