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The American flag: Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Legal Studies at Regent University.

LL.M. in American Legal Studies

Give Your Law Career a Global Dimension

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Legal Studies is designed for graduates of accredited institutions outside the United States who have already earned a J.D.-equivalent law degree and wish to pursue studies in American law or broaden their knowledge of American law. This LL.M. degree is offered exclusively on campus. If allowed by the administering jurisdiction, you may be qualified to sit for the bar examination* in one or more states in the USA.

On Campus
30
January 13, 2025
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*Students are responsible to research bar requirements for their jurisdiction. Requirements may change at any time, so continue to check with your jurisdiction until graduation. Click here to access The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which provides annually updated information on bar admission requirements in all US jurisdictions, including a directory of state bar admission agencies.

Meet a Significant Demand

Satisfy the demand by international lawyers for training in American legal studies.

Enjoy the Benefits of an LL.M. Degree

Develop a specialization, build English proficiency for international students, and network with legal professionals.

Learn from Internationally Recognized Professors

Be mentored by faculty members from some of United States’ finest schools, including Harvard, Yale, Duke, and the University of Virginia.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the LL.M. – American Legal Studies degree, you can:

  • Reason, research, and problem-solve in the context of the United States legal system.
  • Analyze the influences of law, policy, and government around the globe.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the common-law legal tradition in the United States.

Career Opportunities

  • Corporate, Private-Practice, or Nonprofit Law
  • Human Resources
  • Consulting
Jurisprudential survey of the foundations of law, including the development of higher and natural law theories, the influence of higher and natural law and Christian principles on the development of Anglo-American law, and the rise and influence of modern legal philosophies.
Introduction to the law library and to the use of the full range of source materials available to lawyers and judges in the practice of law. Complete written projects designed to develop legal writing and research skills necessary for the practice of law.
The philosophical and theological sources and nature of American law including select substantive legal issues.
American legal system and skills necessary to succeed in that system, including reading cases and statutes, analyzing legal issues, and researching selected topics of American law. Course culmination is a legal research paper.

Application Deadlines

Please visit the International Admissions page for information regarding International Application, Decision, & I-20 Issuance Deadlines. Early applications are strongly recommended for all applicants because priority consideration for admission, scholarship, and grant assistance from Regent Law are given to those who apply by the given semester deadline.

Law School Admissions Criteria

The Regent Law admissions committee seeks to do more than simply enroll those with the greatest academic potential. We admit men and women who have demonstrated both academic ability and a commitment to the school’s mission as a Christ-centered institution.

The admissions committee, comprised of faculty members, associate deans, and the director of admissions, evaluates applicants according to the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement (GPA, course rigor, and institution attended)
  • Career accomplishments
  • Skills relevant to the practice of law
  • Responses to the questions in the application for admission
  • Mission fit

Prerequisites for the LL.M. Program

In addition to the below list of application requirements, students seeking admission must possess the international equivalent of an ABA J.D. degree, must be in the process of completing such a degree, or must be able to prove that they are completing or presently hold a foreign law degree which qualifies, or will qualify, them to practice law in their home country or that they currently are, or will be, eligible for licensure abroad.

Once you have fulfilled the admission requirements listed in the below application process, you may be contacted for an admissions interview, which is by invitation only.

Admissions Decisions

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants being notified within three weeks of the date that the application and all supporting documents are received by the Admissions Office.


LL.M. Application Process

1. Application for Admission

Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

2. $65 Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable $65 application fee with personal check or by money order mailed to Regent University, Enrollment Support Services, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.

3. Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts

We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary degrees completed from U.S.-based schools in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. We will notify you if your previous institution will not release transcripts directly to us.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Please have two references submit letters of recommendation on your behalf to lawschool@regent.edu with the following subject line: Letter of Recommendation on behalf of [Insert Applicant Name].

One recommendation must be from a former professor or instructor capable of evaluating your academic preparation for the type of degree you seek to complete with us. If it has been more than five years since your last schooling, a supervisor recommendation may be submitted in lieu of the faculty recommendation. You are welcome to submit more than one faculty recommendation, but please consider selecting professors who can address different aspects of your academic abilities.

A clergy recommendation must also be submitted. This may come from a minister, priest, or someone else who has the ability to evaluate your spiritual maturity and suitability for graduate study that will include a Christian integration.

These forms may not be completed by family members.

5. Current and Thorough Resume

Email your resume to lawschool@regent.edu with the subject line: LLM Application – Resume.

6. Personal Statement

The admissions committee attaches significant importance to the applicant’s personal statement. The statement can provide the committee with insights into the applicant’s passion and motivation for studying law, his or her commitment to receiving a legal education that integrates Christian principles and ethics, and knowledge of special skills and abilities developed through employment experiences. This will also be emailed to lawschool@regent.edu with the subject line: LLM Application – Personal Statement.

7. Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

8. Additional International Applicant Requirements

On-Campus Program Applicants

Please refer to our International Admissions Checklist to make sure you have successfully completed the proper documentation and forms, along with your application. LL.M. applicants must obtain one of the following:

  • Internet-Based TOEFL: 100
  • PTE: 68
  • IELTS: 8
  • Duolingo: 125

For any further questions, please feel free to contact our office by email at lawschool@regent.edu or our International Students Office.


Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)6$6,210
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
6$6,210
$4,350
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36011$14,960

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)9$9,315
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
9$9,315
$6,525
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36015$20,400

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$17 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2024-25
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$40,800
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$74,064

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM)$6906$4,140
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29511$14,245

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM)$6909$6,210
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29515$19,425

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$13 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$38,850
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$72,114

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Why should you come to Regent for your LL.M.?

Not only does our program offer broad exposure to a wide range of American law topics, but it does so in the context of a Christian community of students, professors, and friends.

What courses will I take?

In addition to standard courses in American law, our comprehensive LL.M. curriculum allows students to take courses in many different areas, including but not limited to: corporate, commercial and transactional law; constitutional law; public law; alternative dispute resolution; intellectual property law; family law; and criminal law and procedure, among others.

What exactly is a Christian law school?

We do more than just provide our students with a fully accredited legal education. We integrate a solid foundation of Christian faith and values into the curriculum, and we instill in our students the principles of excellence and integrity in every course we teach. Whether as judges, legislators, human rights advocates, or in public or private practice, our graduates make a difference wherever they are called to serve.

What about your faculty? And what’s life like on campus?

In addition to having a rigorous academic program taught by a distinguished faculty of Christian legal scholars, we are located on a beautiful campus just minutes from the beach, and we offer a diverse and supportive Christian community.

Will I receive financial aid?

The School of Law may award partial assistance based upon academic promise and need. Courses offered at our HILS host site in South Korea are not eligible for financial aid. View full information regarding financial aid.

Will this degree enable me to take an American bar exam?

Although the primary purpose of this program is not bar exam preparation, some U.S. states allow attorneys from other countries who earn an LL.M. degree at an accredited U.S. law school to take the state bar exam. The eligibility requirements vary from state to state. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine if he/she would be eligible, after earning our LL.M. degree, to take an American bar exam. If an applicant is pursuing the LL.M. for the purpose of qualifying for a bar exam, he/she should investigate this issue thoroughly prior to committing to earn this degree. Requirements may change at any time, so continue to check with your jurisdiction in The Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which provides annually updated information on bar admission requirements in all US jurisdictions, including a directory of state bar admission agencies.

What is Regent University’s Quality Matters (QM) Program?

Regent University is a subscriber of the Quality Matters (QM) Program. QM is a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. QM is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach and continuous improvement in online education and student learning. There are three primary components in the Quality Matters Program: The QM Rubric, the Peer Review Process and QM Professional Development. The QM Rubric incorporates principles from Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Learning objectives, assessment and measurement, instructional materials, learner interaction and engagement, and course technology are critical components.

The Quality Matters process is designed to ensure that all reviewed courses will eventually meet expectations. The QM process is integral to a continuous quality improvement process. The QM Rubric is based on national standards of best practice, the research literature, and instructional design principles. The QM Rubric and process are designed to promote student learning.

Are all of the courses taught in English?

All of the courses are indeed taught in English. This is necessary not only because the vast majority of American legal writing is in English, but also the fact that if the foreign law graduate taking the LL.M. program wants to take a bar exam, that exam will be in English and greater English proficiency is a necessity.

Regent’s LL.M. in American Legal Studies seeks to develop the writing skills of its students. Every student must take a research and writing course which builds English proficiency. Regent’s program requires weekly written interaction between students and their professor, and is therefore more rigorous than similar programs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the LL.M. program, students will demonstrate:

  • A familiarity with the United States legal system, in the context of selected substantive law topics.
  • An ability to reason, research, write, and problem-solve in the context of the United States legal system.
  • An understanding of the common-law legal tradition, as opposed to a civil law system.
  • An appreciation of Christian principles applicable to law.

“At Regent, it was 'law first' and then we talked about how the law is influenced by the spiritual and moral side—that was a valuable lesson I'll always be thankful to Regent for providing.”

Elizabeth Beavers, J.D., 2012

“I use the knowledge I gained at Regent every single day.”

Ann Buwalda, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1990 2020 Alumnus of the Year; Managing Attorney & Founder of Just Law International PC

“I make it my personal mission to show the legal world that Regent offers a top-notch legal education and produces lawyers who are highly skilled in their profession and have integrity in their conduct. My goal is to inspire every attorney, judge and client I meet to seek out Regent alumni when they are looking to hire a lawyer.”

Andrew Kartchner, J.D., 2013

“The program at Regent is incredibly rigorous — but it's just a wonderful environment to learn and grow, and it's been invaluable in my life.”

Katherine Nace, J.D., 2015