LLM stands for Master of Laws, which is an internationally recognized postgraduate law degree. It is usually obtained by completing a one-year full-time program, although part-time programs are also available for professionals wishing to complete their LLM while working full-time. Graduation requirements for an LLM program vary depending on the respective university guidelines. Some programs are research-oriented and require students to write a thesis, while others only offer a number of classes that students must take to complete the course of study.
LLM programs are often designed to teach foreign lawyers the basic legal principles of the host country, particularly in the United States and Germany. However, LLM degrees are often earned by students wishing to develop more concentrated expertise in a particular area of law.
LLM programs can be completed on-campus, online, or on a part-time basis over two years. The length of time to study an LLM program depends on the mode of study. Most full-time on-campus courses take one academic year to complete, while part-time online courses can take between two and five years to complete.
LLM programs offer students the opportunity to choose from a wide range of courses to plan a curriculum that meets their intellectual and professional interests. Some LLM programs require students to write a paper in close consultation with a professor, or expand a typical research assignment into a master’s thesis.
In summary, an LLM is a postgraduate law degree that provides students with the opportunity to develop more concentrated expertise in a particular area of law. LLM programs can be completed on-campus, online, or on a part-time basis over two years, and offer students the flexibility to choose from a wide range of courses to plan a curriculum that meets their intellectual and professional interests.