For US-Trained Lawyers

Customized Master of Laws (LLM)

Design your own advanced legal education to refocus your career, develop specialized expertise, or update your professional credentials with a flexible LLM degree in the USA tailored to your goals.

Program Overview

If you want to refocus your legal career, develop an expertise in a substantive area, or update your professional credentials, an LLM from WashU Law may be a perfect fit.

WashU Law offers a customized LLM degree allowing lawyers to earn an advanced law degree with a focus of their own choosing. As an LLM student, you will consult with counselors from the Office of Graduate and International Programs (OGIP) and identify the best combination of courses to fit your individual career or enrichment goals.

Certificate Programs

LLM students have the opportunity to pursue a Certificate in one of four specialty areas. A Certificate is optional and requires 9 credit hours in the specialty area as part of a 24-credit LLM requirement. Students may earn an LLM and one Certificate in an academic year.

Certificate in Negotiation & Dispute Resolution
Provides substantial foundation in conflict theory and dispute resolution, with hands-on opportunities to gain practical skills in business negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Certificate in Business & Corporate Law
Develops knowledge and skills necessary to become well-rounded business lawyers, with training in corporate finance, law and economics, publicly traded corporations, and taxation.
Certificate in International Law
Equips students with a strong foundation in international law and specialized training in areas such as international human rights, international intellectual property, and international commercial arbitration.
Certificate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law
Allows study of introductory and advanced intellectual property law under the guidance of leading scholars, covering patent, trademark, copyright issues, and emerging technologies.

Why WashU Law?

WashU Law’s flexible approach lets you design a program that matches your specific professional objectives. Our comprehensive course offerings and expert faculty guidance ensure you’ll build the specialized knowledge needed to advance your legal career in your chosen direction.

FAQs

Your questions answered.

Candidates for the LLM degree must have graduated with a JD degree from an accredited US law school.

Interested candidates must submit:

An application
Official academic transcripts (in English) from all undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, with class rank

Admissions criteria include strong prior educational and professional credentials, a clear sense of why a candidate is pursuing an LLM, and how advanced legal studies would benefit the candidate.

Completion of the LLM degree requires students to earn 24 academic credits at WashU Law. Students may complete the degree in as few as two semesters full-time but no more than eight semesters part-time.

For program admissions and questions, contact Asst. Dean Tomea Mersmann.