The Indiana University Maurer School of Law's LLM program is one of the first of its kind in the US. It is designed for outstanding law graduates and professionals from around the world who seek to elevate their legal expertise, expand their global network, and launch international careers.
Our LLM traditional program offers a vibrant mix of academic coursework, professional development opportunities, and community-building social events. Our faculty help students develop legal knowledge and skills in a supportive, collegial environment. With the exception of Introduction to Law and Legal Research and Writing for Masters Students, LLM students take classes and participate in our extensive experiential learning opportunities together with our JD students.
We offer three pathways to the LLM that provide maximum flexibility.
The LLM program is designed for international studentswith a first degree in law. The program requires at least two semesters of full-time study in residence. In addition to the traditional LLM, degree options include an LLM with Thesis, for students interested in academic legal writing, and a number of LLM Specializations, for students interested in a specific area of law.
Gain practical experience in the American legal system while earning your LLM. Our Learning and Working LLM option gives students hands-on, real-life experience while studying the law. Depending on your interests and qualifications (including visa status), you could earn law school credit by participating in unpaid experiential opportunities.
The LLM with English for law two-year program is a two-step program for applicants who do not yet meet the English proficiency requirements for direct admission to the standard LLM degree program. In the Pathway, students will learn about the US legal system and master legal English while earning credits toward the LLM degree.
I’ve loved everything since my first minute here. Bloomington is such an amazing place to be.
Carolina Colomba, LLM 2025
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Choose your interest, build your specialization.
No matter which LLM pathway you choose, you'll have the option of pursuing one of six in-demand specializations that help position you for career success in a number of fields.
This specialization is ideal for students who want to work in a multinational corporation, international law firm, or government. Students will choose twelve credit hours from the core courses listed below, and may choose elective courses that explore topics such as international commercial law, labor and employment regulation, and business organizations. Attorneys specializing in this field work in securities enforcement, international securities transactions, and bankruptcy and financial restructuring, and as consultants on payment systems, money laundering, and financial privacy.
This specialization is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in a global law firm, with an intergovernmental organization, or as in-house legal counsel for a financial firm. Students will choose twelve credit hours from the core courses, and may choose from elective courses covering areas related to finance, tax law, and business organizations, among others.
This specialization provides the education and skills to prepare students for work with government agencies, telecommunications companies, and transnational organizations. Students will choose twelve credit hours of core courses, and may choose from elective courses in the areas of international law, Internet law, and constitutional law and privacy, among others. Attorneys specializing in this field work as policy advisors, consultants, and for governmental, academic, and private committees on cybersecurity and information policy. Indiana University is also home to the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research, which works to identify and address cybersecurity problems through research, collaboration, and education.
The standard IP specialization prepares students for work in law firms and corporations, handling trademark, patent, and copyright issues. Students will choose 12 credit hours from among the core courses. Elective courses in business law, international intellectual property law, biomedical advancements, biotechnological innovation, and Internet law deepen students’ understanding in areas specific to their interest. Attorneys specializing in the field work as advisors to government agencies on issues of evolving intellectual property law, consultants on intellectual property for law firms and corporations, and practicing lawyers in intellectual property suits.
This specialization is ideal for students who want to pursue a career with a non-governmental or inter-governmental organization, a national government, or an international court. Students will choose twelve credits hours of core courses that cover topics in comparative law such as the treatment of religion, the legal system, and political branches in a variety of states; in areas of international law, including human rights, environmental, and criminal law; and in legal development, such as economic and social inequality, constitutional design, and human rights. Attorneys specializing in the field work for non-governmental organizations, human rights groups, and international courts, as well as consultants on constitutional reform, and advisors on issues of terrorism, security, and international law.
The LLM program in American law with a specialization for the US bar exam is designed to prepare students for an American bar examination. In a few US states, including California, New York, Washington, and Texas, and in Washington D.C., graduates of an LLM program who do not hold a JD degree may be eligible to sit for the bar examination. The specialization emphasizes courses that are commonly tested on state bar examinations: Torts, Property, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, and Conflict of Laws, as well courses to provide students with a foundational education of the American legal system: American Constitutional Law for Foreign Lawyers, American Legal History, and the Legal Profession for Foreign Lawyers. Additionally, students may take elective courses in areas of Constitutional Law, Business Law, Family Law, and Civil Procedure to explore specific legal areas of that are of interest to them.
Graduates may go on to work as practicing attorneys in any area of law. This LLM program is ideal for students who desire to practice American law or for foreign lawyers who would like to remain competitive in the international legal market. In addition to practicing in the United States, graduates from this program may also go on to work for multi-national corporations and global law firms who desire to hire attorneys with knowledge of American law who are certified to practice in more than one country.
LLM candidates are required to complete at least 24 credit hours of classes across two semesters of study, including:
Introduction to American Law
Legal Discourse and Writing
One of the following first year courses
Contracts
Torts
Criminal Law
Property
Constitutional Law
Civil Procedure
All LLM candidates must attend a two-week orientation program prior to the start of classes.
Learning outcomes
When you have completed the LLM in US Legal Studies degree, you will have acquired and developed the following skills:
Substantive knowledge of basic concepts and theories of law in core legal areas and in your chosen area of specialization, if applicable
Understanding the function, responsibilities, and powers of federal and state political and judicial institutions
The ability to find, read, and analyze U.S. legal authority and apply common law principles in hypothetical cases
The ability to demonstrate effective analysis and communication skills for an audience of U.S. legal professionals
Bloomington is home
Nestled in the hills of Southern Indiana, Bloomington is a quintessential college town. Big enough to offer a world of opportunity, but small enough to provide a close-knit learning environment, Bloomington is safe, affordable, and the perfect place to study law.
