Master of Laws in U.S. Law at a Glance
WashU Law’s online Master of Laws in U.S. Law is designed for internationally trained attorneys who want a deep understanding of the U.S. legal system. The program combines a rigorous legal curriculum with hands-on application to strengthen your analytical and critical thinking skills.
With an online LLM in U.S. Law, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of U.S. legal frameworks while learning alongside a global cohort of legal professionals.
August 17, 2026
September 14, 2026
What You’ll Learn
The online Master of Laws in U.S. Law program from WashU Law frames the foundations of U.S. law through critical and analytical thinking, meaning that you’ll learn how to think about the law in addition to knowing the facts.
You’ll have the opportunity to specialize your studies through electives and concentrations after exploring foundational topics in U.S. law, legal methods, contracts, negotiations and business law.
Graduates of the online Master of Laws in U.S. Law program are prepared to:
- Gain a strong foundation in U.S. law
- Develop specialized knowledge in legal areas relevant to professional practice
- Earn a distinguished credential in a competitive legal market
- Meet the educational requirements for U.S. bar eligibility in select jurisdictions
Want more details on skill development, course topics and program outcomes? Visit the LLM curriculum page
“Our virtual classroom experience is really high caliber thanks to excellent faculty members and small class sizes. Students are able to make connections with faculty and their peers.
— Michael Koby, Professor of Practice and Associate Dean for International and Graduate Programs
Program Details
The Master of Laws degree is designed to balance flexibility with the consistency and rigor expected of a legal education. It can be completed either part time or full time, with flexible asynchronous coursework that accommodates working professionals. Students also attend live sessions once per week.
Deliberately small cohorts of 10 to 15 students create an environment where substantive dialogue, not passive learning, defines the experience. The curriculum is demanding but the schedule is manageable, reflecting WashU Law’s commitment to accessible excellence.
Students also have the option to participate in on-campus immersion experiences, offering opportunities to engage with faculty, peers and the WashU Law community in person.
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Laws in U.S. Law offered by WashU Law, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 314-597-3365.
Who Is This Program For?
This program is primarily designed for internationally trained attorneys seeking to build a working knowledge of U.S. law and potentially pursue bar eligibility in select states.
Concentrations
The Master of Laws in U.S. Law at WashU Law offers six concentration options that allow you to focus on your studies in areas aligned with your professional goals or area of legal practice.
We also offer a general study path, which allows students to tailor their courses to their unique career trajectories. Concentrations provide structured pathways aligned with specific areas of interest, while the general track allows for greater flexibility in course selection.
WashU Law regularly reviews its curriculum and concentration offerings to ensure they reflect evolving legal frameworks and emerging areas of practice.
Concentration options include:
Learn more about the optional concentrations
Expand Your Legal Practice: Bar Eligibility and U.S. Practice Considerations
For internationally trained attorneys, the online Master of Laws in U.S. Law may support U.S. legal practice. Graduates with a first degree in law who complete the LLM may be eligible to sit for the bar examination in certain jurisdictions, subject to state requirements. We encourage prospective students to review their intended bar admission requirements and consult with the relevant state board of law examiners.
Beyond the Classroom
WashU Law’s online programs offer many opportunities to stay active in the greater university community beyond coursework and immersions:
- Apply legal concepts in professional setting through an externship
- Explore legal questions in greater depth through supervised research
- Engage with practitioners across legal and regulated industries
- Join WashU’s global alumni network
That network is backed by real resources. WashU Law Career Center advisers build meaningful connections through one-on-one counseling sessions, stay invested in graduates’ long-term success and follow through when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What you may do with an LLM largely depends on your prior legal education and experience, as well as your future career goals. Across roles, LLM holders report a median advertised salary of $135,900 annually.
For internationally trained lawyers and law students, the career outcomes are different. For some individuals, an LLM can support bar admission in select jurisdictions, which generally leads to similar outcomes as listed above. Others will use their LLM to advance non-attorney legal careers, such as:
- Policy adviser
- AI & technology law specialist
- Legal consultant
- Labor relations specialist
No. The program accepts any first degree in law, including internationally earned law degrees such as an LLB or its equivalent. You can see our full admissions requirements here.
The Master of Laws in U.S. Law is designed for internationally trained attorneys, and U.S.-based readers may find a better fit elsewhere in our program offerings. The program covers much of the same ground as the first year of a U.S. law school, which means U.S.-trained lawyers would find significant overlap with their existing education.
If you have any questions about what’s the best option for you, we recommend speaking with an enrollment specialist. Call 314-597-3365 or email onlinegradlaw@wustl.edu.