Whittier’s LL.M. Program is designed to provide foreign law school graduates with a thorough foundation in U.S. law and the American legal system.

The LL.M. Program provides an opportunity to study the U.S. legal system generally or to specialize in the student’s area of interest.

An LL.M. candidate works with the Program Director to custom-design a course of study from the broad array of J.D. classes, many of which are taught by faculty who have also taught law outside the United States. A student must successfully complete 24 credit hours of study to receive the LL.M. degree, including the required courses American Law and American Legal Research and Writing. The LL.M. requirements will usually take one academic year of full-time study to complete.

A student can combine the LL.M. degree with the Whittier Law School Certificate Programs in Intellectual Property or in International and Comparative Law, but doing so may require an additional term(s) of study.

Message from the Director and Faculty

We welcome you to learn more about Whittier Law School’s LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies Program for graduates of foreign law schools. Whittier’s Master of Laws program can advance foreign law graduates’ and attorneys’ professional endeavors and provide a stimulating educational and cultural experience.

An introduction to American and international law in a U.S. law school is an increasingly valuable asset for legal practice in an interdependent world. Whittier Law School is centrally located between Los Angeles and San Diego, in a region of California that has economic and political interconnections with every part of the globe, and that provides access to a multitude of law firms, businesses, and public sector agencies.

In addition to traditional law school courses, Whittier Law School provides extensive opportunities for practical training. We offer a variety of clinical legal education opportunities and diverse externship placements. Additionally, students with valid visa status may seek employment in a U.S. legal setting for a year after graduating.
LL.M. students contribute a broad spectrum of educational and professional backgrounds, cultures and perspectives to our community, and enhance their educational experience through interaction with our richly diverse J.D. student body, outstanding faculty and other lawyers from around the world. LL.M. participants benefit from the many opportunities available through Whittier’s Centers & Programs, and from special programs for LL.M. students.

The small size of our LL.M. class ensures personalized attention to the participants, while it also facilitates integration into the larger Law School community. Whittier’s student-focused Program permits LL.M. candidates to apply for admission for Fall, or Spring term, and to attend full or part-time.

Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Calvin D. Peeler
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Director of LL.M. in Legal Studies.