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Master of Laws (LLM) Program

Fall 2025 applications open!

Fall Classes begin
August 25, 2025

Applicants interested in beginning Spring 2025,
please contact our
LLM Program directly

Overview

A Master of Laws, or LLM, is a graduate qualification in the field of law. This internationally recognized postgraduate law program allows lawyers to gain advanced, specialized legal training by choosing classes within a specific area of law to develop their expertise. In addition to the academic advantages an LLM offers, students also have opportunities to network with colleagues and professors and build a lasting, professional network. Applicants to the LLM Program must hold a law degree from a recognized law school. Both graduates with a foreign law degree and graduates with a U.S. JD are encouraged to apply.

Curriculum

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.

Some limited-enrollment and legal writing or clinical/skills courses may not be available to LLM students. 

General LLM Program information and requirements

• a minimum of 24 credits are required to graduate
• F-1 students must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester
• LLM students take Introduction to American Law in their first semester (exempt for U.S. JD graduates or if waived by LLM Faculty Advisor)
• Courses already taken as part of a U.S. JD Program may not be repeated for LLM Program credit, except with permission from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• The following may be taken with LLM Faculty Advisor approval:
  • up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments
  • LAW 576 Directed Study and Research (limit 3 credits per semester)
  • LAW 520 Advanced Legal Studies – selected topics presented by WSRSL faculty or visiting faculty focused on their areas of specialty or expertise.

UH Class Schedule

Classes designed for students with foreign law degrees

• Introduction to American Law – General introduction to the fundamental principles and distinctive aspects of the American legal system and its institutions.
  LLM students only
• U.S. Legal Research and Writing – Introduction to the basic principles of American legal research and writing. Students review techniques of case and statutory analysis and learn to write a professional legal memoranda and client opinion letters.
  LLM students only

Legal English preparation and support

• Legal Oral Communication course
• Center for Academic Spoken English (CASE): provides free oral communication support for members of the UH Mānoa community who speak English as an additional language.
• The Writing Center at Mānoa: is a collaborative environment which offers writing consultations free of charge to anyone affiliated with the UH – undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars. 
• East-West Toastmasters: organizes monthly meetings of students, faculty, and staff of UH Mānoa, as well as people from the community to develop public speaking skills.

LLM Specializations

Students enrolled in Hawaii’s LLM Program may choose an optional specialization to deepen their understanding and expertise in a specific area of law.

LLM Specialization requirements:

• 4 courses within the specialty
• 10 credits within the specialty
• any required courses within the specialty

International & Comparative Law Human Rights & Social Justice Environmental Law/Ocean Law & Policy (Law of the Sea) Business & Commercial Law Conflict Resolution Criminal Law & Justice

How to apply

Fall 2025 applications open!

Fall Classes begin
August 25, 2025

Applicants interested in beginning Spring 2025,
please contact our
LLM Program directly

Eligibility

Applicants to the LLM Program must hold a law degree from a recognized law school. Both graduates with a foreign law degree and graduates with a U.S. JD are encouraged to apply.

Application Schedule

Applications for the LLM Program are considered on a rolling basis from October 1 to June 1 and on a space-available basis after June 1. Applications received by February 5 will have priority consideration for scholarships.

How to apply

• Applicants are encouraged to apply online through LSAC.
• For those unable to apply through LSAC, please contact lawllm@hawaii.edu.

Application Materials

• Personal Statement
  Tell us about your experience and qualifications, your reasons for seeking an LLM degree and the course of study you wish to pursue (about 800 words).
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• $75 Application Fee
  Non-refundable/Non-transferable
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• We prefer that one of the letters be from your former or current law professor, if possible. If a recommendation letter is not written in English, an English translation must accompany the original recommendation letter.
• Transcripts
  Official transcripts from all institutions (graduate and undergraduate) where you have studied. These must be sent directly from the school. If the transcripts are not in English, a certified English translation must be submitted with each transcript.
• English Proficiency Test taken within the last 3 years (if applicable)
  • TOEFL suggested score: 90+
    (UH school code: 8395)
  • IELTS suggested score 6+
  • Cambridge English Exam suggested C1 or C2
    
    Exempt from providing English proficiency test scores: applicants who have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore.
    We are flexible with English proficiency scores for LLM students in certain cases. Exemptions may be granted at the discretion of the LLM Admissions Committee.
    

Interview

Once all application materials are received, the Admissions Committee may request an interview, usually over Zoom, before making their decision.

Visa Information

The Law School’s International Programs works with the UH International Student Services to assist international students with I-20 and Visa paperwork.

International students admitted to the Law School who need an I-20 and/or Student Visa will be required to show proof of adequate funds for the program of study.
See tuition and cost of attendance.

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