LL.M. Program
The UC Law SF LL.M. program offers a vibrant mix of academic coursework, professional development opportunities, and community-building social events. Our faculty help students develop their own arguments and create a supportive environment in which to express those views. With the exception of Introduction to Law and Legal Research and Writing for Masters Students, LL.M. students take their classes and participate in our extensive experiential learning opportunities together with UC Law SF Juris Doctor students.
LL.M. students will receive an LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies upon graduation. LL.M. students who choose to specialize in one of eight areas and/or participate in at least one legal clinic or the Startup Legal Garage will also receive a Certificate of Specialization and/or Practice Training Certificate upon graduation. Our Advisors help students plan out their course schedules to meet their personal and professional goals.
Degree Requirements
LL.M. candidates are required to successfully complete at least 24 credit hours of classes over two semesters of study, including:
- Introduction to Law (Fall, 3 units)
- Legal Research and Writing for Masters Students (Fall, 2 units)
- One of the following first-year required courses: Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, or Civil Procedure.
- All LL.M. candidates must attend a 2 week orientation program prior to the beginning of classes.
Program Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies degree, you will be expected to have acquired and developed the following skills:
- You will gain substantive knowledge of basic concepts and theories of law in core legal areas and in their chosen areas of focus, if applicable.
- You will understand the function, responsibilities, and powers of federal and state political and judicial institutions.
- You will be able to find, read, and analyze U.S. legal authority and apply common law principles to hypothetical cases.
- You will demonstrate effective analysis and communication skills for an audience of U.S. legal professionals.
“I would define my year at UC Law SF as a daily journey of discoveries. I enjoyed my full days of studying in an interesting and different environment and made the most of immersing myself in the American way of life.”
– Benjamin Trouille, LL.M. Class of 2018
Hear from our graduates