Why study The U.S. Legal System?

The Master of Laws program is designed to introduce internationally trained lawyers to the U.S. legal system while providing students with the opportunity to design a course of study at Cincinnati Law that best advances their unique professional agendas. Graduates of the LLM program are better able to represent U.S. clients and are more prepared for negotiations and litigation with U.S. parties.

Students have the opportunity to focus on any of our nine Professional Pathways. LLM students have the option to earn a concentration in Business Law or International Legal Studies. UC Law also offers fellowships with the Ohio Innocence Project and through the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights.

Admission Requirements

UC Law’s LLM program requires the following application materials:

  • A personal statement
  • Resume or CV
  • Two recommendations
  • Credential evaluation
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR score, or ELS

A more comprehensive guide can be found on our LLM application page.

For international students, an LLM degree covers the necessary fundamentals of law in the United States. Graduates go on to various post-graduation careers such as lawyer, judge, business professional, consultant, banker, and more. Depending on previous professional and educational background, some LLM graduates are eligible to apply to take a bar exam in the US.

The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.

Students in the LLM program complete at least twenty-four credits hours in order to earn the LLM degree. This generally occurs within one academic year. Two courses are designed specifically for LLM students and are required to complete the program:    

The U.S. Legal System. In this three-credit course, students gain a more advanced understanding of the critical features of the U.S. legal tradition, the functional components and participants in our legal system, and key legal concepts, including legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Legal Research & Writing for LLM Students. This three-credit course is similar to our traditional legal research & writing course, designed, however, to meet the needs of non-native English speakers. It is designed to help students develop the written communication skills, research skills, and persuasion strategies needed in both law school and professional practice as a lawyer.    

Additional courses are selected by individual students working in consultation with the Assistant Dean and faculty. By choosing courses from among the range of those offered to all law students, LLM students are able to design a course of study that best advances their own professional agendas.

Students may select courses in areas of study, called professional pathways, such as Business and Entrepreneurship; Criminal; International; Innovation, Technology and Intellectual Property; Science, Health, and Environment; Public Interest; Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution; General and Small Practice. Students may also choose to complete our Business Law Concentration or Concentration in International Legal Studies.

Learn more about our curricular offerings.

Classroom instruction is integrated with practice observations at courtrooms, government agencies, law firms, and corporate offices. During these observations, participants interact with judges, attorneys, general counsel, and business executives, who convey critical insights about practice in the U.S., including:

  • U.S. business customs
  • Liaising effectively with counsel
  • Navigating the U.S. judicial system

The College of Law will also provide forums for students to discuss their legal cultures, as well as to introduce their law firms or institutions to area attorneys and business executives. In this way, students, local attorneys, and executives have many opportunities to network and form lasting professional contacts.

Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Master of Laws (LLM)

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

University of Cincinnati LLM Program
2540 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 556-0938
uclawllm@uc.edu

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Program Code: 24GRD-USLS-LLM