Master of Laws (LLM)
The Master of Laws (LLM) degree program is designed for foreign-trained lawyers who want to develop their professional expertise and advance their legal careers through intensive legal study in the U.S.
Wake Forest Law’s LLM program offers a robust, dynamic curriculum that covers a wide range of legal fields. Fields include environmental law, intellectual property, corporate law, and more. Our curriculum allows students to pursue a general course of study. Or they can craft their own in a chosen speciality or emerging area of law.
Get Started
Ready to take the next step in your career? Learn more about the admissions process and apply to the LLM program.
The LLM program requires you to successfully complete 24 credit hours of coursework and earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0. You will also complete the following courses to be a candidate for the LLM degree.
| Course Code | Course Title | Required/Elective? |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 121 | Legal Analysis, Writing and Research for International Lawyers | Required |
| LAW 851 | Introduction to American Law | Required |
| First-year JD curriculum class (1 course required) | Required | |
| Thesis Track or Seminar Paper Track | Required | |
| Elective Courses | Elective |
You have the option to dedicate 9 credit hours to specialized study. You can supplement our foundational curriculum with classes that align with your interests and career goals. Specializations include:
- Business law
- Criminal law
- Intellectual property law
- Technology law
You can also create your own specialization with courses offered during the school year. Previous students have specialized in areas such as international law, human rights law, health law, and property law.
Wake Forest Law’s experiential learning opportunities allow students to bring legal theory and doctrine to life. Apply your knowledge in real-world settings through hands-on experiences, ensuring you graduate with both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Work alongside your JD and LLM classmates through our legal clinics or Pro Bono Project, which provides you the chance to work with nonprofit organizations, private practices, and legal services organizations.
With experts in environmental law, contracts, criminal law, and more, Wake Forest Law faculty are dedicated to their students’ success.
JD/LLM Mentor Program
Each LLM student is paired with a 2nd- or 3rd-year JD student who is already an expert at navigating the law school experience. Through this meaningful relationship with your mentor, you’ll gain valuable advice on law school exams, study practices, American customs, and so much more—while also sharing your experiences and culture.
Faculty Advisors
You will be guided on your academic journey by a Wake Forest Law faculty member who is thoughtfully chosen to match your interests and goals. This faculty advisor will be a resource for course selection, research projects, and exploring potential post-graduation career paths.
Our Office of Career and Professional Development offers resources to help you navigate the professional aspects of your education, including:
- US Bar Examination Preparation – Attend sessions that will help you learn how to apply and prepare for bar examinations. (Our courses, approved by the American Bar Association, meet the curriculum requirements for jurisdictions that allow international lawyers with an LLM degree to sit for the bar examination. Previous Wake Forest Law LLM graduates have taken the exam in California, Georgia, New York, and Washington DC, among other states.)
- Career panels – Learn from experienced attorneys across practice areas during presentations and panels open to LLM students
- Mock interviews – Practice your interviewing skills with local attorneys to help prepare you for real job interviews after graduation
- Cover letter writing workshops – Receive individual feedback to help you craft a cover letter and resume that employers will notice
- International Student Interview Program – Be considered by over 160 of the leading legal employers from around the world for internships and permanent positions