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For more information about the Master of Laws (LLM) Program, please email us at lawllm@hawaii.edu.
Master of Laws (LLM) Curriculum and Pathways
Our LLM Program allows a great deal of flexibility, allowing students the freedom to choose their classes, in consultation with our LLM Faculty Advisor. Other than our two specialized LLM courses for foreign lawyers, our LLM students take the same classes as our JD students. LLM students may choose to pursue a General LLM or an LLM with a Specialization. Though a U.S. JD is generally required to take to the Hawai‘i Bar, students may take courses that will help prepare them to take bar exams in the other states with other requirements.
LLM Program Requirements
- Credits required
- minimum 24
- Students holding a U.S. JD
- courses taken during a JD Program cannot be repeated for LLM credit
- International LLM Students
- Introduction to U.S. Law or equivalent is required
- Optional Legal Oral Communication is available for non-native English speakers wishing to develop their legal English listening and speaking skills for US legal settings.
LLM Curriculum
- With the exception of Introduction to U.S. Law for International Students, LLM students take classes with our JD students.
- The Richardson Law School course catalogue is available online. Note that not all classes are offered every semester.
- Up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits can be taken in other UH departments with approval
- See our UH Mānoa Catalog for a complete list of courses
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research can be taken for up to 3 credits per semester with approval
Not all courses will be available every semester
Some courses will be available in-person only or online only
LLM Pathways and Specializations
Students enrolled in Hawaii’s LLM Program may pursue a General LLM or they may choose an optional specialization to deepen their understanding and expertise in a specific area of law. Students may also work with the LLM Faculty Advisor to design a personalized concentration.
Specialization requirements: 4 courses and 10 credits within the specialization.
Students may choose to pursue a General LLM to for lawyers to expand their expertise beyond one area of study. The General LLM is available for students in both the in-person and online programs.
All Specializations are available for students in the in-person program. Online availability will depend on student status and individual program format. Online LLM applicants are encourage to reach out to lawllm@hawaii.edu for more details.
International & Comparative Law
Human Rights & Social Justice
Environmental Law/Ocean Law & Policy (Law of the Sea)
Law, Technology, & Innovation
Business & Commercial Law
Conflict Resolution
Personalized program: Students may work with our LLM Faculty Advisor to design a personalized concentration.
Thesis Option: For students interested in incorporating an extensive writing project, we offer a thesis option that can be combined with a General LLM or any of our Specializations.
Bar preparation: Bar prep courses are available for LLM students. For those interested in taking a bar exam, our Director of Bar Success can help guide students in understanding the requirements, and selecting the jurisdiction that is best suited for them. Our LLM Faculty Advisor is also available to assist with course planning.
See our Bar Requirements for LLMs page for more information.
In-Person
LLM Program
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Online
LLM Program
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Pre-approved courses:
LAW 572 International Protection of Human Rights
LAW 579 Introduction to Space Law & Policy
LWEV 528 International Environmental Law
LWEV 593 International Ocean Law
LWPA 514 Law & Society in Japan
LWPA 553 Asian Pacific Insolvency Law
LWPA 556 Asian Comparative Labor Law
LWPA 564 International Criminal Law
LWPA 565 Law and Society in Korea
LWPA 569 Human Rights in Asia
LWPA 579 International Business Transactions
LWPA 580 Foundations for Kānāwai
LWPA 581 Native Hawaiian Law
LWPA 585 International Law
LWPA 586 Law & Society in China
LWPA 587 Comparative Law
LWPA 590 International Economic Law
LWPA 594 Pacific Islands Legal Systems
LWPA 596 International Intellectual Property
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Not all courses are offered every semester
Pre-approved courses:
LAW 507 Employment Discrimination
LAW 527 Federal Indian Law
LAW 533 Constitutional Law I
LAW 534 Constitutional Law II
LAW 541 Criminal Procedure
LAW 544 Race, Culture, and Law
LAW 547 Gender: Law & Conflicts
LAW 548 Immigration Law
LAW 559 Labor Law
LAW 572 International Protection of Human Rights
LAW 578 Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice
LAW 589 Labor and Employment Law
LAW 594 Native Health Ethics, Law, and Policy
LWEV 528 International Environmental Law
LWEV 530 Climate Change Law & Policy
LWEV 582 Environmental Law
LWPA 556 Asian Comparative Labor Law
LWPA 569 Human Rights in Asia
LWPA 580 Foundations for Kānāwai
LWPA 581 Native Hawaiian Law
LWPA 583 Legal History of Hawaiʻi
LWPA 584 Emerging Hawaiʻi Water Issues
LWPA 585 International Law
LWPA 587 Comparative Law
LWPA 594 Pacific Island Legal Systems
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Not all courses are offered every semester
Pre-approved courses:
LAW 503 Historic Preservation Law
LAW 549 Admiralty Law
LAW 561 Administrative Law
LAW 580 Land Use Management & Control
LWEV 503 Wildlife & Natural Resources Law
LWEV 504 Conservation Transactions
LWEV 512 Environmental Compliance & Regulated Industries
LWEV 528 International Environmental Law
LWEV 529 Environmental Litigation Seminar
LWEV 530 Climate Change Law & Policy
LWEV 582 Environmental Law
LWPA 584 Emerging Hawaiʻi Water Issues
LWEV 588 Legal Aspects of Water Resources & Control
LWEV 592 Domestic Ocean & Coastal Law
LWEV 593 International Ocean Law
LWPA 580 Foundations for Kānāwai
LWPA 581 Native Hawaiian Law
LWPA 585 International Law
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Not all courses are offered every semester
Pre-approved courses:
LAW 511 Professional Responsibility
LAW 523 Law and Psychology
LAW 531 Business Associations
LAW 532 Health Law
LAW 535 Intellectual Property
LAW 545 Licensing Intellectual Property
LAW 560 High Growth Entrepreneurship
LAW 563 E-Discovery
LAW 578 Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice
LAW 579 Introduction to Space Law & Policy
LWEV 530 Climate Change Law & Policy
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
Pre-approved courses:
LAW 506 Contracts
LAW 507 Employment Discrimination
LAW 508 Negotiation & Alternate Dispute Resolution
LAW 509 Contracts I
LAW 510 Contracts II
LAW 511 Professional Responsibility
LAW 515 Business Reorganization in Bankruptcy
LAW 531 Business Associations
LAW 535 Intellectual Property
LAW 539 Remedies
LAW 540 Contract Drafting
LAW 545 Licensing Intellectual Property
LAW 549 Admiralty Law
LAW 550 Corporate & Partnership Taxation
LAW 554 Secured Transactions
LAW 558 Corporate Finance
LAW 559 Labor Law
LAW 560 High Growth Entrepreneurship
LAW 561 Administrative Law
LAW 562 Debtors’ & Creditors’ Rights
LAW 566 Non-Profit Organizations
LAW 567 Federal Income Taxation
LAW 578 Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice
LAW 580 Land Use Management & Control
LAW 583 Real Estate Development and Financing
LAW 589 Labor & Employment Law
LWEV 504 Conservation Transactions
LWEV 512 Environmental Compliance & Regulated Industries
LWPA 553 Asian Pacific Insolvency Law
LWPA 579 International Business Transactions
LWPA 596 International Intellectual Property
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Not all courses are offered every semester
Pre-approved courses:
LAW 508 Negotiation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
LAW 511 Professional Responsibility
LAW 572 International Protection of Human Rights
LWPA 585 International Law
LWPA 587 Comparative Law
Courses offered through the
Matsunaga Institute for
Peace & Conflict Resolution
PACE 629 Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
PACE 647 Mediation: Theory & Practice
PACE 668 Facilitating Community & Organizational Change
With LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
- LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies: selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise
- LAW 546 January-Term: these specialized, short courses provide students the opportunity to explore contemporary legal topics with national and international experts
- LAW 599 Directed Study and Research: one (1) Directed Study per semester for up to three (3) credits each. Students must first make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise their proposed project. Students will need to complete the Directed Study Approval Form before be allowing to register for a Directed Study.
- up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
Not all courses are offered every semester
Personalized program: Students may work with our LLM Faculty Advisor to design a personalized concentration.
Thesis Option: For students interested in incorporating an extensive writing project, we offer a thesis option that can be combined with a General LLM or any of our Specializations.
Bar preparation: Bar prep courses are available for LLM students. For those interested in taking a bar exam, our Director of Bar Success can help guide students in understanding the requirements, and selecting the jurisdiction that is best suited for them. Our LLM Faculty Advisor is also available to assist with course planning.
See our Bar Requirements for LLMs page for more information.
For more information about the Master of Laws (LLM) Program, please email us at lawllm@hawaii.edu.