The graduate program in the American Legal System provides advanced training for students from outside the United States who are interested in academic careers or who wish to increase their familiarity with the American legal system. The program is designed for legally trained individuals from outside the United States who desire to acquire advanced knowledge of American and International legal systems. American-trained lawyers are not eligible for the program.

Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary are ideal venues for graduate education in American legal studies. The Law School has exceptional strengths in American Constitutional law and human rights through the Institute of Bill of Rights Law and the Institute of Early American History and Culture. These programs are strongly reinforced by the unique setting of Colonial Williamsburg. There is no place in the nation better equipped to provide law students with specialized training in the American legal system. Courses in international studies are available both in the law school and throughout the university, allowing for interdisciplinary study in areas such as African Studies, East Asian Studies, International Relations, Latin American Studies, and Russian/Soviet Studies. The Reves Center for International Studies offers a number of activities and events that supplement an international education. A substantial number of courses are also available in environmental studies throughout the College, including the Law School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

This graduate program provides students with a range of opportunities, from obtaining a basic knowledge of the legal system of the United States to undertaking original research on a particular aspect of law. The individual programs of study of American Legal System (LL.M.) graduate students are drawn from the courses and seminars in the full Law School curriculum, and with approval of the director of the program and course instructor, other courses in the College. One objective of the graduate program is to integrate American and international students at various levels of study. Therefore, most of an LL.M. student's program will be drawn from the J.D. curriculum. As a result, students do most of their coursework in a traditional classroom setting alongside American law students.

Degree Requirements

LL.M. candidates normally complete the program in one academic year of full-time study. To graduate from the program, a degree candidate must be in residence as a full-time student for two semesters while earning a minimum of 24 credit hours with a cumulative quality point average of at least 2.0. At least 15 credit hours must be earned in law school courses, and nine credit hours, if approved by the director of the program and the course instructor, may be taken in other schools and departments. From three to six credit hours can be earned for graduate legal research and writing projects supervised by a member of the law faculty. Courses in the Law School generally carry from two to four units of credit, varying with the number of hours of class meetings per week.

Students enter the program in the fall semester, which begins in mid-August and ends in early December and finish after the spring semester, which begins in early January and ends in mid-May. In the week prior to the start of the fall semester classes, a series of classes on the American legal system is required of all degree candidates.

LL.M. candidates must complete a major research paper in a seminar or class that requires a major research paper or by successfully completing Law 705 Independent Legal Writing. In addition, while not required, Methodologies of the U.S. Legal System is recommended for LL.M. students.

Click here to apply to the LL.M. Program..

Summer English Program

For a modest fee, the Law School offers our popular summer Legal Advantage Program.  This four-week program combines intensive English language study along with invaluable legal research skills and legal training.  LL.M. students who successfully complete the pass/fail Legal Advantage Program will earn 2 credits towards their William & Mary LL.M. degree.  For more information and an application to this program, click here.

The Law School, in conjunction with the College's Graduate Center, also offers its LL.M. students assistance with English language training. Non-credit courses are offered without charge throughout the fall and spring semesters to all interested LL.M. students.