Online LL.M. Frequently Asked Questions
About the Online LL.M. Program
A: LL.M. candidates with a first law degree from a foreign university or from a non-ABA-approved law school must complete 12 courses (30 credits) of work. LL.M. candidates with a U.S. law degree (i.e., J.D.) from an ABA-approved law school are required to complete 24 semester hours of course work. In addition to the LL.M. degree, students completing the Program online may also earn (at no additional cost and for no additional credits), a Certificate in United States Legal Practice.
A: Students may earn both the LL.M. degree in American and Transnational Law and a Certificate in United States Legal Practice in as little as one year (3 semesters) or may take up to three years. The study time for each course is estimated at approximately 10 hours/week. As such, students planning to complete the degree within one year can expect to study approximately 40 hours/week (4 courses/semester).
A: Our Online LL.M. degree, with Certificate, focuses on U.S. law and legal practice. In addition, students will acquire practical skills, including legal analysis, research, writing, and communication skills. Graduates of non-ABA approved law schools (including foreign educated lawyers) will complete 30 credits of coursework through a series of 12 online courses including the following bar-tested subjects: Professional Responsibility, Business Associations, Evidence, Real Property, Torts, Trusts and Estates, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Procedure, and Contracts & Sales.
A: There is no set requirement for credits per semester. We recognize that many of our students have competing demands on their time - including work, family, and other personal and professional commitments. This online LL.M. program has been designed taking into account these considerations. As such, students in our Online LL.M. Program have the flexibility to take as many or as few courses as they like each semester. Our courses range from 2 credits to 4 credits each. Students pay tuition based upon the amount of credits in which they are enrolled each semester.
A: Each credit corresponds to 700 minutes of instruction (not including the final exam) and each semester is approximately 13 weeks (not including the final exam period). You may review the Academic Calendar to see specific dates. Minutes of instruction include time spent listening to pre-recorded lectures, completing discussion posts, and practicing bar exam style multiple choice questions and essays. It does not include time spent doing reading assignments, reviewing supplemental resources, or participating in optional office hours or review sessions. The total time commitment for each course is estimated at approximately 10 hours/week.
A: Yes, the Program (including all exams) can be completed entirely online with no on-campus requirement. Courses are offered through Canvas. Optional live sessions are offered through Zoom.
A: Yes, all courses are offered in an asynchronous format. This means that all course content (including lectures, practice multiple choice questions and essays, etc.) is available for students to review at their convenience during the semester (on a week by week basis). PowerPoints can even be downloaded for future reference. Students are given interim deadlines for completion of course content and assignments, with at least half of the course completed before the mid-term examination. All courses (except LAW 4004) will have a mid-term examination that will be administered and proctored online in approximately the middle of each semester and a final examination that will be administered and proctored online at the end of the semester during a designated final examination period. Students may complete their exams on the day and time that works best for them during the designated exam period.
A: Our professors offer office hours by appointment, as well as multiple live online review sessions during which students who value live interaction may connect with each other and their professor in an online classroom. The online review sessions are also recorded and made available for students to view at a later time. Online students also have multiple opportunities to interact with their professors and classmates through discussion boards in each class. Finally, students can request individual feedback from their professors throughout the course.
A: Yes, students may apply for admission to pursue the full degree or to take just a few classes as non-degree students. Apply here if interested in taking classes as a non-degree student and note the non-degree preference on the application form. Students who take classes on a non-degree basis are not eligible to participate in the exclusive and free of charge mini-bar prep course.
A: No, there are no assigned textbooks for the online LL.M. courses. All reading materials for each course are included for free within each online LL.M. course. As such, students do not have to worry about the added time and expense of ordering textbooks and arranging shipment of those textbooks.
A: Yes, online LL.M. students get free access to supplemental online resources and study tools that help reinforce the concepts covered in class and give students a “head start” on tackling bar-style multiple choice questions and essays. In addition, they are eligible for reduced rates and/or special benefits with BARBRI, Helix, Kaplan, and Themis Bar Review.
Bar and Career Prospects
A: Our online LL.M. curriculum is aligned with the current requirements for Washington bar admission. Students may review more about the Washington Bar's Admission and Practice Rules here. Our Online LL.M. consists of 30 credits- each credit corresponds to 700 minutes of instruction (not including the final exam). Thus, our Program is 21,000 minutes. All courses in the online curriculum focus on domestic US law. As noted on the course list, our Constitutional Law course is 3 credits (2100 minutes), Civil Procedure is 3 credits (2100 minutes), Professional Responsibility is 2 credits (1400 minutes), and our Legal Analysis course is 2 credits (1400 minutes). University of Dayton School of Law cannot guarantee bar eligibility. It is the responsibility of students to contact the state bar directly where they seek admission and evaluate their individual eligibility.
A: Our online LL.M. curriculum is aligned with the current legal education requirements for California Bar admission. Students may review the California Bar's legal education requirements for foreign educated applicants here. Our Online LL.M. consists of 30 credits (including Professional Responsibility and Bar-tested subjects). All courses in the online curriculum focus on domestic U.S. law. University of Dayton School of Law cannot guarantee bar eligibility. It is the responsibility of students to contact the state bar directly where they seek admission and evaluate their individual eligibility.
A: Our online LL.M. curriculum is aligned with the current legal education requirements for D.C. Bar admission. Students may review the D.C. Bar's legal education requirements for foreign educated applicants. Our Online LL.M. consists of 30 credits (including Introduction to US Law- 2 credits, Legal Analysis 2-credits, and single Bar-tested subjects- 26 credits). All courses in the online curriculum focus on domestic U.S. law. University of Dayton School of Law cannot guarantee bar eligibility. It is the responsibility of students to contact the state bar directly where they seek admission and evaluate their individual eligibility.
A: It may be possible that certain other states could allow a graduate of our program to be admitted in their jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis depending upon such factors as how long the prospective applicant has practiced law in another state jurisdiction, or the nature of the applicant's first law degree. You may learn more about each state's policies by reviewing the National Conference of Bar Examiners Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements. You may learn more about how internationally educated lawyers can qualify to take the bar exam and practice law in the United States. We strongly recommend any students seeking bar admission in a specific state to contact the state bar association directly and request additional guidance on eligibility criteria for graduates of non-A.B.A. approved law schools (including foreign law school graduates). University of Dayton School of Law cannot guarantee bar eligibility.
A: Bar admission is determined on a state by state basis. D.C. and Washington administer the Uniform Bar Exam. You may learn more about the Uniform Bar Examination and portability. University of Dayton School of Law cannot guarantee bar eligibility. It is the responsibility of students to contact the state bar directly where they seek admission and evaluate their individual eligibility.
A: University of Dayton School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This online LL.M. degree, with accompanying U.S. Legal Practice Certificate, focuses on U.S. law and the U.S. legal system. Earning the degree will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of U.S. law and the U.S. legal system. This knowledge will help you – whether in law practice in the U.S. or handling U.S. legal matters overseas. University of Dayton School of Law’s Career Services Office is available to work one-on-one with online LL.M. students and help them explore their career opportunities. As an Online LL.M. student, you will be joining the University of Dayton alumni network. Finally, this LL.M. degree may help you meet eligibility requirements for bar admission in certain states.
A: Obtaining bar admission in D.C., Washington State or California will allow you to practice law as a licensed attorney in that jurisdiction. In addition, even if you do not live in one of these states, you may be able to practice in a field of exclusively federal law, such as Immigration Law. You may also be considered for in-house or corporate counsel opportunities, as many simply require bar admission in any U.S. jurisdiction. This additional graduate legal degree may also help your resume or curriculum vitae stand out to prospective employers in non-traditional law related careers (such as compliance, risk management, alternative dispute resolution/mediation, IP/patents, international trade, etc.).
A: Yes, degree-seeking students and graduates from our Online LL.M. Program have exclusive access (free of charge) to online interactive experiences and personal support oriented to the bar and professional development.
- Bar Webinar Series: Customized LL.M. oriented webinars co-hosted by Dayton Law's Bar Preparation Department and leading commercial bar preparation companies (BARBRI, Kaplan, Themis, Helix). Topics included:
- "Which Bar Should I Take"
- "Prepare for the Bar Exam: Study Strategies for LL.M. Students"
- "Building U.S. Legal Writing and Exam Skills for LL.M. Students"
- "Crafting a Study Plan for Bar Exam Success"
- Mini Bar Prep Course: Expertly designed by Dayton Law's Director of Bar Preparation, Associate Professor Tommy Sangchompuphen, our mini bar prep program supplements our graduates’ LL.M. studies and their commercial bar prep course to put them in the best position to succeed on the bar exam.
- Program in Law and Tech Fellowship: The PILT Fellows Program provides opportunities for Online LL.M. students and graduates interested in Law and Technology and Intellectual Property Law to participate in activities (alongside JD and MSL students) that enhance their related subject matter knowledge and promote their visibility in these fields (at the national and international level).
- Publication Opportunities (including mentorship for first-time authors) in Dayton Law's new Law & Tech Journal. Students and graduates are invited to submit short articles (1,500-5,000 words) on topics related to law and technology, intellectual property, and/or AI.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Law & Tech Seminar- International and US Perspectives (Sept. 23 - Dec. 2) - Taught by Dayton Law's Director of the Program in Law and Technology Pablo Iannello this seminar meets "live" every two weeks (via zoom) and provides Online LL.M. students with a survey of international and US perspectives on IP and Law & Tech topics.
In addition, Online LL.M. students and graduates are offered reduced rates and priority registration for specialized courses leading to a Certificate of Completion, including for example in Immigration Law.
A: Yes, University of Dayton School of Law’s Career Services Office is available to work one-on-one with online LL.M. students. You may learn more about this and meet Assistant Dean and Director of Dayton Law's Career Services Office, Tim Swensen, by viewing a past webinar.
Admissions Process, Tuition and Financial Aid
A: The University of Dayton School of Law has rolling admissions for the online LL.M. program. Key deadlines (including scholarship priority deadlines) and application instructions are available. Students may begin the program in January (Spring term), May (Summer term), or August (Fall term). The Academic Calendar for each term is posted on Dayton Law’s website: https://udayton.edu/law/registrar/academic_calendars.php.
A: You can apply for the Online LL.M. program by following the steps on our Application page.
Once the application file is complete, including all supporting documents and no character and fitness issues, an admissions decision may be made within approximately 2 weeks. Please note that the review of your application may also include any federally required screening.
A: No, LL.M. applicants are not required to take the LSAT. Admissions screening is based on other criteria, including first degree in law, English proficiency, and academic and professional accomplishments.
A: The online courses for the LL.M. degree and the United States Legal Practice Certificate are specifically designed for students whose native language is not English. In addition, enrollment in these courses is limited to only LL.M. students. As such, there is additional flexibility in the English proficiency requirements for students pursuing the LL.M. degree and this certificate option online.
Applicants must attain one of the following scores:
- TOEFL and attain a score of at least 80 (iBT)
- IELTS and attain an overall band score of 6.5.
Scores must be from a test taken within the past two (2) years. Scores from tests taken more than two (2) years prior to this application will not be accepted. In limited cases, applicants may submit a written proposal and alternate proof of English proficiency to request a waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS. In such a case, following review of the proposal and alternate proof of English proficiency, applicants may be invited to demonstrate English competency through a video interview.
A: Dayton Law is committed to affordable, quality online legal education. Although the tuition rate for the 2025-2026 academic year is $1380/credit, generous partial tuition scholarships are available and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email mioannides1@udayton.edu for a preliminary scholarship assessment. University fees are currently $25/semester.
There are no additional costs for online LL.M. students, as all required reading materials are free. Students pay as they go through the Program based upon the credits in which they are enrolled each term. They have up to 3 years to complete the online LL.M. program and Certificate.
Outside of the partial-tuition scholarships awarded by Dayton Law at admission, there are limited outside scholarship resources. AccessLex, an non-profit organization, has a database of outside scholarships available that students may qualify for: https://www.accesslex.
Please direct all questions about Financial Aid to University of Dayton School of Law’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, +1.937.229.3555.
Request Information Form (Online LL.M.)
Please fill out the form below to receive more information about the Online LL.M. Degree Program. All fields with asterisks (*) are required. View our web privacy policy.
Margaret Ioannides, Assistant Dean for Online LL.M. Programs
Phone: +1.937.329.8651
Email: mioannides1@udayton.edu