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A gavel: Pursue a Master of Laws in Human Rights degree at Regent University.

LL.M. in Human Rights

All Deserve Justice. Help Them Get It.

Awarded an “A” Rating for Human Rights Law by preLaw Magazine (2019), the Master of Laws in Human Rights degree, provides an advanced understanding of international, regional and domestic human rights protection from a biblical perspective. This LL.M. program is ideal for students with a passion for change, who want to combine their legal education and Christian values to make a lasting difference. It is offered online and on campus in Virginia Beach.

On Campus, Online
30
May 6, 2024
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Expand Your Expertise

Be equipped to seek justice and provide legal protection for the oppressed while promoting human rights.

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. – Human Rights program, you can:

  • Demonstrate a familiarity with the United States legal system in the context of certain topics.
  • Reason, research, write, and problem-solve in the context of the U.S. legal system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the common-law legal tradition.

Career Opportunities

  • Corporate, Private Practice, or Nonprofit Law
  • International Advocacy Administration
  • Consulting
Addresses the questions of the universality of human rights, including the right of life, the right to death, rights of the child, women’s rights, religious freedoms, the rights of third-world countries and the export of Western values to Eastern societies. J.D. student prerequisite: LAW 511.
Seminar that introduces LL.M. students to the full range of source materials available and research and analytical methods used by lawyers conducting scholarly research and writing in the field of human rights. Produce abstract, outline, and bibliography in preparation for LL.M. Thesis requirement.
Independent study and writing project in human rights conducted under faculty supervision. Produce a publishable quality article or manuscript 35-50 pages in length. Required for LL.M. in Human Rights. Prerequisite: LAW 891.

Admission Requirements – LL.M. in Human Rights

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 have a J.D. or equivalent law degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school or an accredited institution outside the U.S. International applicants must must obtain one of the following:

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

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. $50 Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable $50 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 at 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 institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Please submit contact information for two references.

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 at least a 100 on Internet section of the TOEFL.

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

Online Program Applicants

Applicants for the online program are exempt from submitting some of the required items on the International Admissions Checklist
. However, you are still held responsible for the validity and completion of your admissions packet. Please consult with your admissions counselor and your online application portal for an accurate list of required application pieces. Also, while we encourage early applications, online applicants will have more flexibility with submitting application materials after the posted deadlines.


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)$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 »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6956$4,170
Master of Laws (LLM)$6706$4,020
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23511$13,585

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6959$6,255
Master of Laws (LLM)$6709$6,030
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,23515$18,525

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$800 (Fall & Spring)
$650 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$650

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 2022-23
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Books & Supplies$2,000
Board$5,400
University Fees$1,600
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$440
Personal$5,040
Room$8,100
Transportation$3,600
Tuition$37,050
Total$64,276

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. 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. Please contact the relevant state bar officials to find out more information about bar exam eligibility.

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, and for online students, all of their weekly posts using Canvas are in English. Regent’s online program is not a “diploma mill.” 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.

“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

“As part of its overt and clear commitment to raise up Christian leaders to change the world, Regent provides an environment that encourages its students to abide in Christ; but it will also take your active commitment to abide in Christ for your legal calling to truly be fulfilled in your life.”

Bobby Maddox, J.D., 2001

“I was incredibly blessed to learn from committed men and women who were so knowledgeable about their field. They were also just as passionate and committed to their faith and investing in their students.”

Rebekah Woods, Doctor of Organizational Leadership, J.D., 2004, 1994

“When it comes to higher education, it’s about giving students every opportunity to succeed and making sure they have the tools to walk out God’s calling. I've been given so much opportunity and a fantastic education at Regent; if that doesn't set me up to help someone else, what will? ”

Stephanie Iaquinto, Ph. D., 1996 Communications

“Regent Law gave me a high-quality education delivered by passionate professors who brilliantly integrated biblical principles into rigorous curriculum. The collegiality of professors and peers also stands out. I can't imagine you get that blend at any other ABA-approved school.”

Bradley Knox, J.D., 1994 Life & Health Insurance Vice President & Counsel, Federal Relations, Aflac, Inc., Washington, D.C.