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LL.M. in Foundations of American Law

The Master of Laws in Foundations of American Law program is limited to graduates or current students of Handong International Law School (HILS) or other HILS-registered international students. You will enjoy a rigorous academic experience focused on subjects typically tested on American bar exams. Courses generally address topics tested on the Uniform Bar Examination* and are presented from a Christian worldview. Students are responsible for meeting jurisdiction of interest admission requirements. For those not associated with HILS but interested in American law, check out Regent’s LL.M. in American Legal Studies.

On Campus, Online
30
February 10, 2025

Expand Your Focus

Develop a specialization in American law and be challenged to excel in this area of interest.

Benefits of Earning Your LL.M.

Get the credentials you need to advance your legal career while refining your English proficiency and networking with legal professionals.

Learn from Internationally Recognized Professors

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

*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 U.S. jurisdictions, including a directory of state bar admission agencies.

Please contact us below to learn more about this program.

Office of Law Admissions & Financial Aid
lawschool@regent.edu
Phone: 757.352.4584
Toll-Free: 877.267.5072

On completing the LL.M. in Foundations of American Law program, you can:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of law in the United States.
  • Analyze the influences of law, policy, and government around the globe.
  • Research and provide persuasive written and oral legal arguments.
  • Apply principles of American law and legal reasoning.

Career Opportunities

  • Corporate Law
  • Nonprofit Law
  • Private Practice
  • International Advocacy Administration
  • Consulting
Survey of the law of agency and partnerships, corporations and other business structures. Study of: the law governing formation, control, liabilities, property, dissolution and disposition of partnerships; internal and external relations of partners; and close and public corporations, their origins, structure, rights and liabilities of management and shareholders. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521 and 522. LAW 541, 542, 551, and 554 are recommended but not required.
Study of the law governing commercial transactions with primary focus on sales (Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), leases (Article 2A of the UCC) and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521 and 522.
Thorough study of the basic concepts of secured transactions (Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) including scope, attachment, priority, perfection and remedies on default, plus an introduction to relevant bankruptcy concepts. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521, 522, 561 and 562. LAW 621 is recommended but not required.
General introduction to the law and legal regulation of family associations. Focuses on the relationships of husband and wife, parent and child and, in that context, assists in developing a thorough understanding of biblical, historic and contemporary legal principles and rules governing the family and other intimate relationships. Probes contemporary topics related to law and the family in light of current legal and cultural settings. J.D. student prerequisites: LAW 521, 522, 561 and 562.
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.
Civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising under common law; intentional, negligence and strict liability torts and theories of liability and recovery; defamation, interference with contract, and strict products liability.
Authority and duties of lawyers in the practice of their profession as advocate, mediator and counselor, and of their responsibility to God, government, courts, bar and to their clients. The course focuses on the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct and relevant state professional codes of professional responsibility.
Study of limitations imposed on law enforcement activities by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as applied to the States via the 14th Amendment. Procedurally, the course considers the criminal justice process from the investigation through arrest and initial court appearance.
Jurisdiction of federal and state courts and fundamental issues related to a plaintiff’s ability to sue a defendant in a specific federal district, including subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction and venue.
The law pertaining to the nature of private property, both real and personal, including biblical principles relevant to property acquisition and ownership, personal property issues, donative transfers, the common law classification of estates and future interests, and concurrent estates. The law and biblical principles pertaining to the acquisition, ownership and use of real property; landlord-tenant law; easements; covenants and servitudes; transfers of interests in real property, including an examination of merchantable title, deeds, legal descriptions, conveyancing, recording systems and title assurance, adverse possession, and land use controls.
Introduction to the basis legal principles of intestate succession; to the execution, construction, revocation and interpretation of wills; to the creation of trusts; to the fiduciary administration of trusts and estates; and to the acquisition of the basic legal principles of transferring family wealth.
Required for online students only during first semester of enrollment. Acquaints students to Canvas, the platform for online classes.

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.

“I learned all I could at Regent, because I knew He would eventually draw it all back out of me to use for someone else’s good.”

Sharla Mylar, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2017 Assistant Attorney General, Alaska Department of Law

“I encourage all of you to join the CEFLER mentoring program. It’s critical for development because you have to rely on more than just a set of rules; you have to rely on a moral compass.”

K. Barrett Luxhoj,

“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.

“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

“To interact with our professor has always been a great experience and I’ve really enjoyed all the time they have invested in me and other students.”

Noah DiPasquale, J.D., 2017