Law professionals have worked hard to meet the demands of their clients, but as new trends take over the industry, opportunities continue to pop up for those with specialized degrees.

Perhaps you have your eyes set on a job in environmental law, or you want to use your law degree to help beef up national cybersecurity. A Master of Laws or LL.M. degree can help to get you on your way to reaching your professional goals, no matter the niche you’ve carved out for yourself. An LL.M. equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to work efficiently in the specialty area you choose for yourself.

The LL.M. is the standard abbreviation for a Master of Laws. An LL.M. degree is earned by people who already have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or an equivalent professional law degree and want to specialize in a particular field of law. While you don’t need an LL.M. to practice law, the expertise you gain from this advanced degree could potentially make you more attractive to law firms or clients. Master of Law programs may share similarities when it comes to admissions requirements. But they can differ too.

There are two types of LL.M. programs: the general LL.M., or the individualized study LL.M., and the specialized LL.M.

The general LL.M. may allow students to study a customizable course schedule if their interests do not fit within a specialized LL.M program. Both domestic and international students may choose this type of LL.M. Some international lawyers might choose this type of LL.M. to expand their mastery of the U.S. legal system.

As the name implies, the specialized LL.M. provides coursework centric to a concentration, such as tax, environmental, international business or trade law. Regardless of the type you choose, LL.M. programs are for J.D. holders or international lawyers seeking to specialize their knowledge in an area of law and practice in the United States.

From concentrations in Tax Law to International Law, the curriculum of an LL.M. student will vary, depending on their focus area. While students have the freedom to choose electives that align with their professional and intellectual interests, there are core courses that all LL.M. students have to take so they can gain an understanding of major legal terminology and best practices. Examples of these courses include:

Many schools offer students a wide range of elective courses to choose from. Some LL.M. electives are:

In addition to the courses LL.M. students take, some programs require students to complete an externship within a legal organization, governmental agency, nonprofit or corporation where their direct supervisor is a lawyer. This opportunity, often lasting 10 or more weeks, gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience and put the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to use.

The traditional LL.M. degree is designed to be a single year of advanced study. However, depending on the school or university and the number of credits required, graduation times can vary. Some universities offer full-time classes so the degree can be completed in a year or even less than a year. Other universities offer part-time and online options for students who need a longer, more flexible schedule.

Generally speaking, the LL.M. degree is geared toward experienced attorneys or people who require an additional education within their particular field that they can immediately apply to their current jobs. Students who seek an LL.M. have already earned their J.D. degree or work within a field that incorporates law. For those looking to apply to an LL.M. program, know that the requirements vary from school to school.

While a J.D. degree is required of prospective U.S.-based students, some schools will consider international students only if they hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or international equivalent of the J.D. and can meet the other requirements that they’ve laid out. Taking the GRE or LSAT is not part of the application process for an increasing number of schools, as these exams are typically taken prior to earning your JD or other graduate degrees.

There are plenty of online LL.M. programs for candidates to consider. These programs offer a legal education that is similar in scope and breadth to those that are offered in a traditional in-class setting. Online LL.M. degrees offer course option flexibility and more time to complete the program. However, there are some schools that still require on-site participation and group work, so it is important to research the university you want to attend to determine if it meets your specific needs and circumstances.

If you are interested in earning a degree online, check and compare the online LL.M. programs that are offered by the law schools below.

This list of online LL.M. programs was last retrieved in November 2021.

With an LL.M., you will gain knowledge and experience that may set you apart from professionals without this advanced degree. An LL.M. can provide additional career options, networking opportunities and competitive salary increases.

The median annual wage for legal occupations in 2020 was $84,910, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Among lawyers, the top 10% earns more than $208,000. Your LL.M. may also open doors for you to work outside of traditional legal settings. For example, you may be interested in finance and decide to work as a Private Banker or Financial Advisor.

Your specialized education could help you to provide customized financial services to individuals and ensure compliance with tax laws. Private bankers can work in investment banks, wealth management firms, and more. As of 2020, the median annual salary for personal financial advisors is $89,330, according to the BLS.

Also, the LL.M. can be an attractive option for foreign lawyers who not only want to gain U.S. connections, but also have the opportunity to learn how the American legal system operates.

Like most graduate degrees, an LL.M. will come with its hurdles, such as securing finances and putting in the time to complete the degree. But consider earning this degree if you strongly believe that it can help you achieve your professional goals.

There are other advanced law-related degrees you can pursue. Make sure you know what each degree offers and the similarities they share with one another before applying to a specific program.

Information on this page was last retrieved in November 2021