Seated LLM Programs
The master of laws (LLM) program at Delaware Law is designed for attorneys from the U.S. and abroad who seek to expand their knowledge in a specialized area of current practice—or who want to develop a new area of legal expertise. The program welcomes graduates of American JD programs as well as international students who have completed a degree in law from a qualifying non-U.S. law school.
Delaware Law offers master of laws programs on its campus located in Wilmington, Delaware. There are several unique concentrations from which to choose. The master of laws program is designed for attorneys from the U.S. and abroad who seek in-depth training in their current specialized area of practice—or those who want to develop a new area of legal expertise. Applicants with a U.S. juris doctor degree must be a graduate of an ABA-approved law school juris doctor program.
Students who choose to complete a master of laws program at Delaware Law School in a seated class format, may enjoy campus life with our on-campus housing, access to exercise facilities, involvement in student clubs, and the opportunity to visit local courthouses and government.
We also offer online LLM degree programs.
Degree Requirements
To earn an LLM, students must complete 24 semester hours of coursework. Typically, the 24 semester hours of coursework can be completed in one academic year (if courses are being offered). Students may work at a more flexible rate if needed. All coursework, however, must be completed within four years from the date of matriculation.
Concentrated Specialties
Seated LLM students may choose from one of the following concentrations:
Jump to: Corporate Law & Finance | Human Rights and Dignity Law | American Legal Studies |
Seated LLM Concentrations (On-campus only)
Corporate Law & Finance
With more than one million companies incorporated in Delaware, there is no better place to pursue a master of laws in corporate law and finance than Delaware Law. Our location in Wilmington – often referred to as the “Corporate Capital of America” – gives you a front-row seat to courts and law firms on the leading edge of corporate law.
Offered through our Institute of Delaware Corporate and Business Law, the LLM in corporate law and finance is designed to prepare you for a successful future in today’s fast-paced global marketplace.
The master of laws in corporate law and finance degree is open to U.S. attorneys, as well as foreign-trained attorneys, which brings diversity and opportunity for career growth by establishing relationships with colleagues from around the world.
To earn a LLM in corporate law and finance, students must complete 24 semester hours of coursework at the graduate level, in corporate-related areas like commercial law, business acquisitions, or intellectual property. Graduate courses in corporate law and finance are worth between two and four semester hours of credit. At least 18 of the 24 semester hours must be completed in residence at Delaware Law, although students may complete this residence requirement as either a full-time or part-time student.
In order to qualify for the LLM, students must complete all program requirements within four years from the date of matriculation.
Required courses:
- Business Organizations
- Business Principles
- Federal Business Regulations
- Colloquium or Seminar: Advanced Corporations
Additional required courses for students who have received their legal training abroad:
- LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis
- LLM American Legal System
Elective Courses
Beyond the required courses, LLM students may choose from any courses on the course schedule to fulfill the electives requirement. Course offerings and credits per course are subject to change from year to year.
Human Rights and Dignity Law
International human rights law is the body of law that seeks to ensure that all people are able to live equally in dignity and rights. It is made up of treaties and compliance bodies at the international level, at the regional level, and, increasingly, in the constitutional courts of the nations of the world, as well as within each nation at the state and local level.
Delaware Law School’s Dignity Law Institute is unique in the nation in focusing on the inherent and equal dignity of all members of the human family and in promoting the human rights that flow from the recognition of dignity. LLM students are invited to participate in all activities of the Institute and to take part in the Dignity Rights Clinic (Spring semester) which this year will be focusing on international criminal and immigration law.
To earn a LLM in Human Rights and Dignity Law, students must complete 24 semester hours of coursework at the graduate level in the areas of human rights, dignity rights, and constitutional law. Graduate courses in corporate law and finance are worth between two and four semester hours of credit. At least 18 of the 24 semester hours must be completed in residence at Delaware Law, although students may complete this residence requirement as either a full-time or part-time student.
In order to qualify for the LLM, students must complete all program requirements within four years from the date of matriculation.
Required courses:
- Dignity Rights Clinic (3 credits)
- Human Rights Colloquium (3 credits) or Dignity Rights (2 credit Seminar or 3 credit class) or Comparative Constitutional Law (3 credits)
- US Constitutional Law I (2 credits) or Constitutional Law II (4 credits)
Additional required courses for students who have received their legal training abroad:
- LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis
- LLM American Legal System
Elective Courses
Beyond the required courses, LLM students may choose from any courses on the course schedule to fulfill the electives requirement. Course offerings and credits per course are subject to change from year to year but may include:
- Administrative Law
- Children and the Law
- Comparative Constitutional Law (Rights)
- Constitutional Law
- Critical Race Theory
- Education Law
- Environmental Law
- Equal Protection Law
- Federal Civil Rights Litigation
- Innocence Delaware Legal Clinic (with advance permission of Instructor)
- Law and Poverty
- Law and Inequality
- Post Conviction Remedies
- Pennsylvania Legal Clinic (with advance permission of Instructor)
- Veteran’s Clinic (with advance permission of Instructor)
- Youth Defender Skills
American Legal Studies (on-campus only)
Available only to foreign-educated students who have completed a first degree in law from an academically qualified non-U.S. law school. This concentration can help foreign-trained attorneys prepare for a bar exam and legal practice in the United States. LLM American Legal System and LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis courses are required, as well as Professional Responsibility. Students must also take at least six credits of foundational or bar-tested courses, such as:
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Federal Income Tax
- Criminal Procedure I and II
- Federal Civil Procedure
- Property I and II
- Torts
- Administrative Law
- Wills and Trusts
- Evidence
- Constitutional Law
Additional required courses for students who have received their legal training abroad:
- LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis
- LLM American Legal System
Bar Exam Information For LLM Students
Delaware Law School LLM students may wish to sit for state bar exams immediately after they graduate. However, it is the responsibility of the LLM student to familiarize him/herself with the requirements of the bar exam he/she wishes to take. Eligibility to sit for a particular state bar exam varies from state to state. Completion of the LLM degree in itself does not guarantee eligibility to take a bar examination. In some states, including New York, California, and Texas, the completion of an LLM degree along with certain other criteria will allow attorneys with a non-U.S. law degree to sit for the bar exam.
For more information, please refer to Chart 4 in the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admissions Requirements published by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).
Graduate Enrichment Courses
Expand your understanding of specific legal topics through our graduate enrichment courses. Boost your professional expertise across a variety of subjects, including:
- Corporate law
- Human Dignity Rights
- Environmental Law
- Technology and the Law
- Bankruptcy
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions
- Entertainment Law
- International Law
Non-matriculated students can take up to three courses without applying to a specific program. Our graduate enrichment courses are offered throughout the year beginning in January, May, and August.
Pursue a Higher Degree
If you choose this non-matriculation option, you may go on to enroll for a master of laws (LL.M.) degree or graduate certificate in any one of our programs:
- Corporate Law and Finance (on campus)
- American Legal Studies (on campus)
- General Master of Laws (on campus)
- Corporate and Business Law with a Concentration in Regulatory Analysis & Compliance (online)
- Health Law with a Concentration in Regulatory Analysis & Compliance (online)
Only courses with grades of B or better may be transferred into these master’s degree programs.
General LLM Degrees (on campus or online)
Through the General LLM program, students advance their knowledge of American legal principles and can specialize the curriculum by choosing courses that meet their own personal academic and career objectives. Students can design a program of study from a wide variety of courses, selecting multiple different topics, or choosing courses in a particular legal concentration. The on-campus General LLM can be tailored to a student’s interests by selecting a variety of concentrations to meet their goals. Alternatively, through the online LLM programs students can earn a degree that focuses on either corporate law or health law with a concentration in compliance and ethics.
Eligibility
A juris doctor (J.D.) degree is required or first degree in law from an academically qualified non-U.S. law school is required.
Admission Requirements
Learn about our admission requirements.
Visit the Cost of Attendance page for tuition rates and other fees.