Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program Information

Welcome to the UC Davis School of Law!

The School of Law at UC Davis is one of the world's leading law schools. We are proud of our history of outstanding scholarship, teaching and real-world impact. Faculty, fellow students and staff are accessible, engaged and committed to your education, and our alumni form a strong, lifelong global network.

The UC Davis LL.M. program integrates American and international law students at all levels of study and provides LL.M. candidates with a broad curriculum of many different courses over ten months of study. Through the LL.M. program, international law graduates are able to gain a basic knowledge of the U.S. legal system and also have the opportunity to develop special expertise in a particular area of law. Come to King Hall for our:

  • General LL.M.: Working with the program director, you will tailor your curriculum to either gain a basic knowledge of the U.S. legal system, or to focus on any area of legal scholarship supported by King Hall's world-class curricula. The General LL.M. is designed to fit each student's needs, including preparation for a bar exam.
  • Customized LLM: The customized degree option allows students to focus on specific areas that serve the academic needs not covered by a concentration. You may choose a pre-planned specialized area of study such as private or public international law, public interest law, human rights and social justice law, etc. or work with our Program Director to form a customized curriculum.   
  • LL.M. with a Concentration: If you wish to become a master of one specific area of law, the School of Law offers our LL.M. students six different concentrations. We offer concentrations in Business Law, Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Criminal Law and Policy, Immigration Law and Tax Law. Graduates with a concentration will earn a Masters of Laws degree as well as a concentration certificate in the selected concentration. 
  • Two-Year Advanced LL.M.: For some students, a longer period of study is vital to meeting educational and career goals. For more information about our two-year Advanced LL.M. Program, please contact our LL.M. Admissions Office at  llm@ucdavis.edu.
  • Spring Start LL.M. Option: For some students, starting the LL.M. program in spring semester is vital to meeting educational and career goals. For more information about our Spring Start LL.M. option, please contact our LL.M. Admissions Office at llm@ucdavis.edu.
  • Bar Preparation: The UC Davis School of Law also provides excellent preparation to participants who choose to take a Bar examination.

All LL.M. students are invited to take advantage of our Summer Programs. Learn US academic preparation skills, fundamentals of the US legal system, improve your English, and prepare for your LL.M.

moot-court.PNG
Orientation in U.S.A. Law

Join other pre-LL.M. students as well as international lawyers, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law professors and business professionals as you gain a better understanding of the theories and practices of the U.S. legal system while enriching the program with diverse legal perspectives from your own legal system. Complete more than 170 hours of classes, seminars, special pre-LL.M. workshops, and on-site observations. Social events and field trips build strong and lasting global friendships.

English for Legal Professionals

Designed for practicing lawyers and law students, this program provides focused practice in learning legal terminology in English. This is an outstanding preliminary course for those continuing on to the Orientation in U.S.A. Law program.

This video explores the many ways UC Davis School of Law offers a top-tier legal education and outstanding student experience, from its renowned faculty to its unparalleled atmosphere of support and collaboration.

Student Testimonials

Click the image below to explore the many ways UC Davis School of Law offers a top-tier legal education, including renowned faculty and an unparalleled atmosphere of support and collaboration, from LL.M. alumni.

J.D. Admission Video