LL.M. Curriculum
Penn State Dickinson Law offers a flexible and rigorous LL.M. degree program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. legal system. The program is available at both our Carlisle and University Park locations. LL.M. students study alongside J.D. students and have access to a broad array of courses, allowing them to focus on specific areas of interest or pursue a general legal education. Optional concentrations are available in several fields.
To earn the LL.M. degree, students must complete a minimum of 24 credits. This can be done on a full-time basis in one academic year. Students must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester (maximum 17 credits). Students may also choose to extend their studies into a third semester to participate in experiential learning opportunities or prepare for a U.S. bar exam.
All LL.M. students must complete the following core courses:
LWLLM 910, Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
(2 credits)
For 2025–2026, students at the University Park location will complete this course in an intensive, online format during the first two weeks of the fall semester. Students in Carlisle will complete the course in person throughout the fall semester.
LWLLM 910, Legal Analysis, Writing and Research
(2 credits)
This course introduces students to common law legal analysis, case law research, and effective legal writing.
A full list of available courses can be found here: Courses. Please note that not all courses are offered each semester and some may have overlapping schedules. A detailed course schedule is published before each semester. Classes are generally held Monday through Friday, with some evening offerings.
For more information about LL.M. degree requirements at the Carlisle location, please refer to the Student Academic Handbook, LL.M. Supplement.
LL.M. Curricular Tracks
The LL.M. program is designed for flexibility, allowing students to tailor their coursework to specific areas of interest. In addition to fulfilling the general degree requirements, students may pursue curricular tracks aligned with bar exam eligibility or specialized legal fields.
Standard LL.M. Track
Fall Semester: Introduction to the U.S. Legal System (2); LL.M. Legal Research (1); 3-4 other elective courses
Spring Semester: LL.M. Legal Writing (2); 4-5 other elective courses
Additionally, LL.M. students must successfully complete one course from the following list: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Property or Torts.
Example: New York Bar Exam Track
Earning an LL.M. degree in the United States does not guarantee eligibility to sit for a bar examination. Each U.S. state sets its own eligibility requirements that should be considered. While the Dickinson Law curriculum provides all coursework necessary to sit for the New York bar examination, students must plan accordingly to ensure that appropriate coursework is completed. For more information, see The New York State Board of Law Examiners.
Fall Semester: Introduction to the U.S. Legal System (2); LL.M. Legal Research (1); Civil Procedure (4) or Torts (4); Criminal Law (3); Criminal Procedure (3) or Constitutional Law II (3); Professional Responsibility (3)
Spring Semester: LL.M. Legal Writing (2); Evidence (3); Constitutional Law I (3); Contracts (4) or Property (4); Supplemental Bar Prep Course (2)*
*New York bar applicants may not count credits in any type of bar review or preparation course, independent study, directed study, research papers or projects toward the 24 semester hours of credit required to qualify for the bar exam.
Note: As of August 2024, the New York State Bar Examination is administered twice per year, in February and July. Applications must be filed during the month of November for a February examination and during the month of April for a July examination.
Eligibility requirements for applicants who wish to qualify for the New York State bar examination based on the study of law in a foreign country must complete a Foreign Evaluation Form. If a deficiency in one’s foreign legal education must be “cured” by completing an LL.M. degree, one must seek an Advance Evaluation of Eligibility from the Board. It can take up to six months for an eligibility decision to be made.
The LL.M. degree program must consist of a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit. All coursework must be physically completed at the Dickinson Law location. No credit is allowed for distance, correspondence or external study or for an on-line program or course. It is recommended that students in this track take all bar-tested courses.
Minimum Required Coursework:
- 2 credits in professional responsibility;
- 2 credits in legal research, writing and analysis course;
- 2 credits in a course on American legal studies, the American legal system or a similar course designed to introduce students to U.S. law; and,
- 6 credits in subjects tested on the New York bar examination, which are: Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Torts, Contracts, Property, Evidence, Business associations, Conflict of Laws, Criminal Law and Procedure, Family law, Trusts and Estates, Secured Transactions.
For more information, see The New York State Board of Law Examiners.
LL.M. Concentrations
As a generalized LL.M. degree program, students may enroll in a wide variety of courses that allow concentration in certain areas of law. LL.M. students must complete 9 total credits of required and elective coursework to satisfy a specific concentration requirement. A minimum grade of ‘C’ is required for each course being used toward a concentration. Availability and requirements vary by location.
Carlisle Location
For the Carlisle location, students must request advance approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before the end of the final semester prior to graduation to request formal recognition. Concentrations require a combination of required and elective courses. Concentrations available at the Carlisle location include:
| Business Law | |
| Core Courses: Contracts and Business Entities I |
Elective Courses: Business Entitles II, Entrepreneurship Law, Accounting for Lawyers, Corporate Compliance, Federal Securities Regulation, International Investment Transactions, Lawyering and Ethics for the Business Attorney Seminar, Sales, and Taxation of Business Entities |
| Civil Rights, Equal Protection and Social Justice | |
| Core Courses: Constitutional Law II and Criminal Procedure | Elective Courses: Advanced Criminal Procedure, Civil Liberties Litigation, Constitutional Law I, Education Law, Election Law, Employment Discrimination Law, First Amendment Law, Gender & Sexuality Law, Immigration Law, Innocence and Wrongful Convictions, International Criminal Law, International Human Rights Law Seminar, Law of Individuals with Disabilities, Poverty Law, Protection of Individual Rights Under State Constitutions, Race & Equal Protection of the Laws, and Race, Racism & American Law. |
| Intellectual Property, Technology and Privacy Law | |
| Core courses: Property and Intro to Intellectual Property | Elective courses: Antitrust, Artificial Intelligence and the Law, Blockchain, Biotech, Pharmaceuticals and the Law, Cryptocurrency & Law, Copyrights, Cybersecurity Law & Policy Seminar, Cyberspace Law & policy Simulation, Information Privacy Law, Internet Law, National Security Law, Patents, and Trademarks |
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution | |
| Core courses: Civil Procedure or Criminal Law and Evidence |
Elective courses: Advanced Persuasion, Advocacy I, Advocacy II, Appellate Advocacy, Civil Liberties Litigation, Client Counseling, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Procedure: Applied Skills, Federal Criminal Practice, and Negotiation/Mediation. |
University Park Location
For the University Park location, students must submit a Concentration Declaration Application before the end of the final semester prior to graduation to request formal recognition. Concentrations available at the University Park location include:
- Administrative Law and the Regulatory State
- Advocacy and Litigation
- Antitrust and Competition Law
- Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation
- Arts, Sports, and Entertainment Law
- Banking and Financial Regulation
- Commercial Law
- Corporate Law and Practice
- Constitutional Law and Civil Rights
- Criminal Law
- Energy and Environmental Law
- Families, Children, and the Law
- Health Law
- Immigration and Migration
- Intellectual Property
- International, Foreign, and Comparative Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Law, Science, and Technology
- National Security, Military, and Veterans
- Public Interest Law
- Race, Law, and Equity
- Taxation
Additional Curricular Considerations
Independent Study
With approval, LL.M. students may enroll in independent study for up to 3 credits in a single semester, not to exceed 4 total credits toward the degree.
Experiential Learning
With limited availability, LL.M. students may participate in experiential learning courses—including clinics, externships, and pro bono work. Opportunities are competitive and may be restricted by immigration regulations.
Coursework outside Penn State Dickinson Law
With approval of an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, LL.M. students may register for one graduate level course (400 or 500 level or above) taught at Penn State University outside of the law school.
Students who choose to exercise this option will be required to continue their LL.M. coursework in their Penn State Dickinson Law home location, regardless of the location of courses being taken outside the law school. Students should inquire with the Penn State University Bursar as to whether outside coursework will result in additional tuition costs. Courses taken outside the law school may not qualify as law school credits for purposes of bar exam eligibility.
Masters in International Affairs (M.I.A.)
LL.M. students may pursue a joint degree leading to a Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) offered by the School of International Affairs.
Bar Examination
Completion of an LL.M. does not guarantee eligibility for any U.S. bar exam. Each state sets its own criteria. Dickinson Law’s curriculum meets the requirements for the New York Bar Exam, but students must plan carefully to ensure they meet all necessary coursework. For details, visit The New York State Board of Law Examiners.
Summer Enrollment
Penn State Dickinson Law does not regularly offer summer courses. An exception is a one-credit summer externship class. Enrollment in that course is limited to international J.D. students to satisfy the unique visa-related requirements for employment and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for those students.