Q. What is an LL.M. Law degree?
A. The 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 which prepares students to practice as an attorney. The LL.M. degree commonly serves as a postgraduate qualification in the field of law and typically demonstrates in-depth knowledge in a specific area of legal specialization. Practicing attorneys who earned law degrees outside of the United States and Canada can also earn an LL.M. to gain international qualifications.
Q. What does LL.M. stand for?
A. LL.M. is short for “Legum Magister,” a Latin term that translates to “teacher of laws” in English. In the United States and Canada, LL.M. is considered a “Master of Laws” degree.
Q. What is the difference between an LL.B. and LL.M degree?
A. As an undergraduate-level degree, the LL.B. (Bachelor of Law) is simply less advanced than the graduate-level LL.M. Offered in many different countries, the LL.B. is commonly regarded as the first step on the path to becoming a qualified attorney.
Q. Can you earn an LL.M. without a JD degree?
A. The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is only available to candidates who already have a Juris Doctor (JD) or an equivalent law degree. However, several different master’s level law degree options are open to non-attorneys without a JD. These degrees go under names such as Juris Master (JM), Master of Jurisprudence (MJ), and Master Legal Studies (MLS).
Texas A&M University School of Law offers both LL.M. programs for attorneys with a JD, as well as a
Master of Legal Studies with a wide range of specializations available to candidates who hold only a bachelor’s degree.
Q. What can I do with an LL.M. degree?
A. Depending on your specific area of legal concentration and your career ambitions, obtaining an LL.M. can benefit you in a variety of ways. An LL.M. demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and clients that you have concentrated expertise in a particular area of law and/or regulation.
The versatile nature of the LL.M. allows institutions of learning to offer the degree in a broad spectrum of specializations. At Texas A&M Law, students can earn a general, customizable LL.M. as well as an LL.M. with concentrations in Intellectual Property, International IP Rights, International Tax, Risk Management, and Wealth Management.
Q. Can I earn an LL.M. online?
A. Different colleges and universities may offer any number of in-residence and online LL.M. programs. As previously noted, the Texas A&M Law has LL.M. tracks in six different degree specializations. Two of these tracks — the general LL.M. and the Intellectual Property LL.M. — are only available to students who opt to attend Texas A&M in person on its Fort Worth campus.
All remaining LL.M. program options at Texas A&M Law are offered exclusively online. As a Texas A&M student, you can earn an online LL.M. in:
International IP Rights
International Tax
Risk Management
Wealth Management
Q. How long does an LL.M. degree program take to complete?
A. LL.M. programs are offered both online and in-person. They can also be pursued through either full-time or part-time study. Therefore, some students will earn an LL.M. more quickly than others.
The LL.M. program at Texas A&M University School of Law requires 24 credit hours to earn a diploma. Students typically graduate in one year.
Sources
https://www.lsac.org/discover-law/types-law-programs/llm-degree-programs#:~:text=An%20LLM%2C%20or%20Master%20of,outside%20the%20U.S.%20or%20Canada.
https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/law/admission-aid/llm-program/llm-faq.html