LLM in U.S. Law & Policy
Sacramento, USA
LLM
DURATION
3 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
The LL.M. in U.S. Law & Policy is a 24-unit Master of Laws degree designed for internationally trained lawyers and law graduates who seek a general introduction to United States law. The program is offered in person, fully online, or in a hybrid format and combines doctrinal study with practical training to prepare graduates for global careers in law, policy, or business.
- Flexible delivery: in-person, fully online, or hybrid.
- Integrated learning: take courses alongside J.D. students to observe U.S. lawyer training.
- Bar-oriented advising: academic advising available to tailor a course plan for California bar eligibility review.
- Options for advanced work: Master's Thesis, Directed Research, or externship/internship for credit.
The program is intended for internationally trained lawyers and law graduates, including working professionals who need a flexible schedule. It is suitable for students who want a foundational understanding of U.S. law, those seeking preparation toward U.S. bar eligibility (subject to state rules and individual evaluation), and candidates who prefer a program that can be completed in person, online, or in hybrid format.
McGeorge awards academic merit and need-based scholarships to incoming LLM and JSD students. General eligibility and specific awards include:
- General eligibility: All incoming LLM and JSD students are eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Institutional scholarships: merit-based and need-based partial scholarships funded from university general funds and endowed/donor funds.
- Program-specific scholarships: International Programs Fund: Young Lawyers (for students of Asian or Asian-American origin or engaged in Asia-Pacific law projects); LLM Programs Endowed Scholarship; Emil Schnellbacher Memorial Scholarship; Professor Stephen McCaffrey Scholarship for Water and Environmental Law; Ognian Gavrilov Bulgarian LLM Student Scholarship.
- External scholarships: Fulbright partnership (apply through the applicant's country Fulbright office); Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) scholarships for admitted LLM applicants committed to natural resources law (may cover partial or full tuition; apply via the Foundation).
- Additional resources: outside scholarship opportunities and additional funding resources for international students are available.
Funding is limited; applicants are encouraged to apply early. Questions may be directed to the Graduate, Online and International Programs office.
Graduates are prepared for careers in law, policy, and business with a foundational understanding of U.S. law. The program supports students pursuing eligibility to sit for U.S. bar examinations (including pathways for California and New York eligibility subject to individual evaluation and state requirements).
- Bar preparation and mentoring: access to academic support and bar-preparation courses and programs (such as PASS I and PASS II, Bar Exam Advantage Training (BEAT), and Extra Feedback Program) and individual counseling for bar planning.
- Further academic and professional pathways: options to pursue a J.D. via an internal transfer pathway in the final LL.M. semester (subject to specific grade and application criteria) and opportunities for externships, internships, and professional networking with alumni.
The LL.M. in U.S. Law & Policy follows a personalized 24-unit curriculum. Admitted students complete an individually tailored sequence of courses to meet the 24-unit requirement and may concentrate study in substantive areas such as International or Domestic Business Law, Intellectual Property, Civil and Constitutional Rights, Criminal Justice, or Environmental Law.
- Required courses: LLM Legal Research, Writing and Analysis; Legal English.
- Substantive requirement: at least one of Civil Procedure; Constitutional Law; Contracts; Criminal Law; Property; or Torts.
- Electives: remaining units are chosen from law course offerings to total 24 units (typically 15 units of electives).
- Advanced options: Master's Thesis or Directed Research under faculty supervision; externship/internship credit option for students electing the internship path.
Online program details (where applicable): semester format is Fall and Spring semesters of 15 weeks; time commitment per credit unit is listed as one hour per week interacting with professors and classmates and two hours per week reading and studying.
