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General LL.M.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) one year program provides a concentrated post-graduate legal study program for practicing lawyers or graduates of foreign or domestic law schools.  Candidates for this program include:

  1. Foreign lawyers and law graduates seeking training in U.S. legal doctrine and skills; and
  2. U.S. lawyers and law graduates wishing to pursue an advanced study in chosen areas of focus.

Students have the option to pursue a thesis or non-thesis Master of Laws degree. Students may be enrolled on either a full-time or part-time basis.

All General Master of Laws (LL.M.) students must complete 24 credit hours including at least three upper-level courses in one of the following focus areas:

As part of the 24 credit hours, graduates of foreign law schools will be required to take a concentrated introductory course on the U.S. legal system, Introduction to the U.S. Legal System. This course will familiarize students with the structure of the U.S. legal system, fundamentals of legal reasoning and analysis, and core concepts in the major areas of U.S. doctrinal law.

All students must take an upper-level writing or drafting course. An LL.M. colloquium, a regularly scheduled colloquium that will include an overview and discussion of selected issues, will be offered.

Admissions

Interested in the Texas A&M LL.M. Program?  Apply today!

Explore Fort Worth

Fort Worth 7th Street Bridge Students enrolled in the in-residence ​LL.M. program at the Fort Worth campus enjoy a vibrant city that is a great place to learn, live and work. Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington, Frisco and all the cities in between offer unsurpassed quality of life with abundant opportunities to advance your career.  As the #2 area for job growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017) and home to over 20 Fortune 500 companies, it's an incredible area to ​expand your professional network. Learn more.

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FAQ

Q. What is a General LL.M?

A. The General Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a postgraduate master’s degree for individuals who have already obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent foreign law degree that helps prepare a student to practice as an attorney. Unlike a specialized LL.M., which demonstrates in-depth knowledge in a specific aspect of the law, the General Master of Laws degree gives students the ability to improve their capabilities in multiple legal areas. Practicing attorneys who earned law degrees outside of America and Canada may also complete a General LL.M. program to gain international qualifications.

Q. What can I do with a General LL.M. degree?

A. Depending on your specific areas of professional interest and your career ambitions, a General Master of Laws degree can benefit you in a variety of ways. It demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and clients that you have advanced and updated expertise in multiple areas of law and/or regulation. Although it has a broader focus than a specialized LL.M. degree, a General LL.M. can emphasize one or more specific areas of study.

The versatile nature of the General LL.M. allows institutions of learning to offer the degree in a wide variety of focus areas. At the Texas A&M University School of Law, students can earn a General LL.M. online with an certificate in International Tax, Risk Management, or Wealth Management. We also offer an in-residence program at our Fort Worth campus that allows foreign trained attorneys to sit for the Texas Bar Exam.

Q. What are the admissions requirements to enter a General LL.M. program?

A. Applicants for admission to a General LL.M. program must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a law school with accreditation through the American Bar Association. Most programs will also accept foreign-educated students with an equivalent law degree. Foreign educated lawyers will also need to demonstrate English language proficiency in most cases.

Q. How long does a General LL.M. degree take to complete?

A. Colleges and universities offer General LL.M. programs both online and in-person. They can also be pursued through either full-time or part-time study. Therefore, some students will earn a General LL.M. faster than others.

The General LL.M. program at the Texas A&M University School of Law requires 24 credit hours to earn a diploma. Students typically graduate in one to two years.

In addition to completing at least three upper-level courses in a chosen area of focus, all Texas A&M General LL.M. students must take an upper-level writing or drafting course. Graduates of foreign law schools must take a concentrated Introduction to the US Legal System, a survey course that covers the fundamentals of American legal institutions and processes. The Texas A&M University School of Law also offers a General LL.M. colloquium, which provides an overview and discussion of selected subject matter. .

Q.Is the General LL.M. available on campus or online?

A. You can pursue a General Master of Laws degree in residence or online. As we have previously noted, the Texas A&M University School of Law has General LL.M. tracks in many different areas of focus. Students will work with their academic advisor to build a curriculum around their goals. Students who attend the in-residence General LL.M. program are able to sit for the Texas Bar Exam, and their course work reflects a general overview of the U.S. legal system. The Texas A&M University School of Law also offers online General LL.M. degrees with certificates in:

International Tax
Risk Management
Wealth Management