Inside the LLM Curriculum: What You’ll Actually Learn
No matter if you’re looking to specialize in a niche area of law or to take your legal practice from another country to the United States, a Master of Laws (LLM) degree could be the path for you. At Drexel University, the Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers four different LLM programs to suit your specific needs, with areas ranging from American Legal Practice and Cyber Law/Data Privacy to Global Financial Regulation and Healthcare/Pharmaceutical Practice.
What Is an LLM? (And Why It Matters)
Before you decide whether to pursue an LLM, it’s essential to understand what this type of degree program entails.
Defining the LLM Degree and Who It’s For
In simplest terms, an LLM degree is a post-graduate degree designed to help students achieve an in-depth understanding of a specialized area of law. Generally, those who enroll in an LLM program have already earned their Juris Doctor (JD) degrees or are lawyers moving to the U.S. from another country and preparing for the bar exam.
LLM Curriculum Expectations
Most LLM programs comprise approximately 24 credit hours, with many students completing an LLM within one to two years (depending on whether they enroll part- or full-time). Depending on the school, different concentrations or tracks may be available.
Who an LLM Is For: International and U.S. Lawyers
LLM programs offer tailored education to JD holders and international students who have equivalent degrees.
Audience and Program Purpose
The primary purpose of an LLM degree is to help lawyers advance their knowledge of a specific area of law so they can specialize their own practice in fast-changing and high-demand areas.
International Lawyers (Foreign-Trained)
In order to qualify for admission to an LLM program as an international student, you'll need to hold the equivalent of a JD degree. From there, an LLM program can help foreign-trained lawyers to prepare for the bar exam and start practicing in the United States.
U.S. Lawyers (JD Holders)
For U.S.-based lawyers who already hold a Juris Doctor degree, an LLM makes it possible to gain sophisticated and specialized knowledge in a particular discipline, such as pharmaceutical compliance or data privacy. Then, LLM-educated lawyers may be able to further expand their own offerings.
Core Objective of the LLM
The primary objective of any LLM program ultimately depends on the student. For international lawyers, the objective of an LLM is to prepare them for practice in the U.S. For other students, the goal is to expand their knowledge in a niche area of law so they can be prepared to practice it themselves.
Factors Influencing LLM Curriculum
What can you expect from a Master of Laws curriculum? This will boil down to the school and program you select.
School Specialization
Many law schools, including Drexel’s Kline School of Law, offer LLM programs with different specializations for students' specific learning goals. Examples of LLM concentrations and specializations you'll find here include:
Individualized Learning
As part of an LLM degree program, students should enjoy opportunities for highly individualized learning. At the Kline School of Law, our small class sizes allow students to truly tailor their learning experiences to meet their goals while taking part in self-guided research and experiential learning.
Career Goals
An LLM curriculum will also depend on a student's unique career goals. For someone who already has a Juris Doctor and is practicing as a lawyer, an LLM may provide a means to specialize further. For an international student, on the other hand, an LLM curriculum may focus more on preparing for the bar exam.
LLM for International Lawyers: The U.S. Legal System Bridge
Many students who enroll in LLM programs are international lawyers striving to practice in the United States. For these professionals, the Kline School of Law offers a dedicated LLM in American Legal Practice.
This 24-credit program is broken into foundational courses, core courses and related electives, including:
- Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
- Legal Methods I and II
- Business Organizations
- Contract Drafting
- International Business Transactions
In addition to these core and foundational courses, students in this program may take academic legal writing courses and strategic electives in the form of bar-eligible courses to prepare them for American practice.
An externship/co-op experience is available, too, allowing students to gain valuable experience working side-by-side with American lawyers and applying concepts from classes to solve real legal problems.
LLM Specializations for U.S. Lawyers: Deep Subject Mastery
For lawyers already practicing in the U.S., several LLM tracks may still be worth pursuing if you want to further your knowledge and build your practice.
Tax Law (Most Common LLM)
An LLM in tax law or a related track gives lawyers the opportunity to dive deeper into the complex areas of national and international taxation, preparing them for more specialized practice.
Intellectual Property (IP)
As intellectual property laws evolve, lawyers may opt for an LLM in IP to sharpen their understanding of legal rights and protections surrounding copyrights, trademarks and other advancements.
Environmental Law
With a wide range of laws in place to protect the planet, many lawyers opt for an LLM in environmental law to better represent their clients regarding issues like conservation, pollution and regulatory compliance.
International Law/Dispute Resolution
Finally, an LLM in international law can be an optimal way for lawyers to gain the specialized knowledge needed to better represent clients in regard to legal matters between countries.
Drexel Law Specialization Tracks
The Kline School of Law offers four LLM specializations to suit your goals and interests.
American Legal Practice
Our LLM in American Legal Practice is ideal for foreign-trained lawyers who want to practice in the United States, offering dedicated coursework to provide students with the foundations of U.S. law — as well as an optional NY Bar Exam Concentration designed to prepare students for their bar exams.
Cyber Law and Data Privacy
The LLM in Cyber Law and Data Privacy provides experienced attorneys with the specialized knowledge necessary to expand their practice offerings to encompass regulatory analysis, policy and more. As cyber laws continue to change, an LLM education in this area can be invaluable.
Global Financial Regulation
For attorneys looking to advance their skills in legal regulatory analysis and policy pertinent to their practices, our LLM in Global Financial Regulation could be an excellent choice. With coursework in compliance skills, risk assessment/management and more, graduates from this program emerge better equipped to navigate the complexities of global financial regulation.
Health Care and Pharmaceutical Compliance
The world of health care and pharmaceutical compliance is highly complex. The Kline School of Law's LLM in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Compliance includes coursework in auditing and investigation, reporting, risk assessment and more to prepare lawyers to create comprehensive compliance programs and take their careers a step further.
Key Skills and Outcomes From an LLM Program
At the end of the day, you can expect to gain from an LLM program only what you put into it. When you focus your efforts and take your coursework seriously, you can elevate your law career to new heights.
Specialized Legal Expertise
No matter which concentration you select, an LLM program offers the specialized coursework you need to enhance your understanding of the most complex areas of law.
Professional Networking and Global Connections
Being part of an LLM program can also build your professional network and grow your sphere of influence. With the Kline School of Law's small class sizes, you'll have the opportunity to get to know your peers and faculty — establishing professional connections that can last well beyond your time here.
Credentialing and Career Advancement
Additionally, an LLM program can set the stage for earning additional credentials that could help you advance your career. For example, the Kline School of Law's LLM in American Legal Practice can help you prepare to sit for the bar exam. Other LLM programs, such as the LLM in Health Care and Pharmaceutical Compliance, can also prepare you for the following Compliance Certification Board (CCB) certifications:
Advanced Legal Research and Writing
Many LLM programs include coursework in legal research and writing — critical skills for all lawyers. By polishing their research and writing skills, lawyers can better represent their clients, provide the most accurate legal advice and clearly articulate their thoughts and arguments when it matters most.
Advance Your Legal Career With an LLM
If you're still not sure whether enrolling in an LLM program is the right move for you, keep in mind the following as you work toward your decision:
Global Legal Mobility
For one, consider the potential for global legal mobility you could enjoy with an LLM education under your belt. With specialized legal knowledge and the right credentials, you could be prepared to take your legal practice to just about anywhere in the world — creating new opportunities for yourself that may not otherwise be available.
Specialization Value
An LLM also gives you the opportunity to truly specialize your knowledge in a chosen area of law, allowing you to become an expert and (in some cases) a thought leader in the field. Not to mention, by specializing your knowledge as a lawyer, you can stay up to date on the latest changes to relevant laws and regulations. This, in turn, empowers you to better represent your clients while building your professional reputation.
Explore Kline School of Law's LLM Program
The curriculum of an LLM program can help you build specialized legal expertise, grow your professional network and prepare you for long-term career advancement. To reap the benefits, however, choosing the right program is crucial.
At Drexel’s Kline School of Law, you'll find several LLM programs to choose from — each with a different focus area — so you can align your education with your professional goals. And with small classes and helpful faculty ready to help, you'll have the support you need throughout your academic journey.
Reach out to request more information about our LLM programs, or take the next step and apply today.
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