Master of Laws (LLM) Program
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 and Requirements
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.
Bar preparation courses are available for LLM students and our LLM Advisors and Director of Bar Success are available to assist with course planning and bar preparation.
LLM Program requirements
- A minimum of 24 credits are required to graduate
- Up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments, with approval
See UHM Class Availability for a complete list of departments and classes - LAW 599 Directed Study and Research can be taken for up to 3 credits per semester, with approval
- Up to six (6) graduate-level (600 and above) credits from other UH departments, with approval
- Students on a student Visa or I-20 must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester
- LLM students take Introduction to U.S Law in their first semester
(exempt for U.S. JD graduates or if waived by LLM Faculty Advisor)
For students with foreign law degrees
- Introduction to U.S. Law – General introduction to the fundamental principles and distinctive aspects of the American legal system and its institutions. LLM and Visiting International 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 and Visiting International Students only; currently offered in the Fall
- Legal Oral Communication – Designed for non-native English speakers
Application now open for Summer 2025
Legal English preparation and support
- Legal Oral Communication course – Designed for non-native English speakers
Application now open for Summer 2025 - Center for Academic Spoken English (CASE): provides free oral communication support in-person and via Zoom for members of the UH Mānoa community who speak English as an additional language.
Available Fall and Spring semesters - 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. Specialization requirements: 4 courses and 10 credits within the specialization.
Possible courses:
LAW 572 International Protection of Human Rights
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 577 Japanese Business Law
LWPA 578 Chinese Business Law
LWPA 586 Law & Society in China
LWPA 587 Comparative Law
LWPA 594 Pacific Islands 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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
Possible courses:
LAW 507 Employment Discrimination
LAW 533 Constitutional Law I
LAW 534 Constitutional Law II
LAW 537 Constitutional Law: Critical Race Perspectives
LAW 547 Gender: Law & Conflicts
LAW 548 Immigration Law
LWEV 528 International Environmental Law
LWEV 530 Climate Change Law & Policy
LWPA 556 Asian Comparative Labor Law
LWPA 581 Native Hawaiian Rights
LWPA 585 International Law
LWPA 587 Comparative 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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
Possible 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 512 Environmental Compliance & Regulated Industries
LWEV 528 International Environmental Law
LWEV 530 Climate Change Law & Policy
LWEV 582 Environmental Law
LWEV 588 Legal Aspects of Water Resources & Control
LWEV 592 Domestic Ocean & Coastal Law
LWEV 593 International Ocean 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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
Possible courses:
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 545 Licensing Intellectual Property
LAW 550 Corporate & Partnership Taxation
LAW 554 Secured Transactions
LAW 558 Corporate Finance
LAW 559 Labor Law
LAW 562 Debtors’ & Creditors’ Rights
LAW 565 Securities Regulation
LAW 567 Federal Income Taxation
LAW 569 Sales
LAW 589 Labor & Employment Law
LAW 595 Internet Law & Policy
LWPA 553 Asian Pacific Insolvency Law
LWPA 577 Japanese Business Law
LWPA 578 Chinese Business 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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
Possible courses:
LAW 508 Negotiation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
LAW 511 Professional Responsibility
LAW 513 Criminal Law
LAW 541 Criminal Procedure
LAW 543 Evidence
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
visit UHM Class Availability for complete list
Note: not all courses are offered every semester
UH Class Schedule
How to apply
Spring 2026 applications – contact Graduate & International Programs
Fall 2026 – applications will open September 1, 2025
Spring 2027 – applications will open September 1, 2025
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 Process
Applications to our LLM Program are accepted through LSAC.
Fall applications for the LLM Program are considered on a rolling basis from September 1 to June 1 and on a space-available basis after June 1. Applications received by February 5 will have priority consideration for scholarships.
Application Materials
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).
Paid online; Non-refundable/Non-transferable
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.
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.
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 are exempt from providing English proficiency test scores.
If an applicant’s legal education at the university level was conducted entirely in English in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or Hong Kong, they may attach an official statement from the university verifying English was the medium of instruction in lieu of providing English proficiency test scores.
Other applicants may provide test scores to show English proficiency:
TOEFL suggested score: 90+
(UH school code: 8395)
IELTS suggested score 6+
Cambridge English Exam suggested C1 or C2
Applicants wishing to request a TOEFL/IELTS/Cambridge waiver for other reasons not listed above may do so directly in the application. The English Proficiency section of the application includes an optional section for applicants to provide an explanation of how they satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
Interview
Once all application materials are received, the Admissions Committee may request a Zoom interview before making their decision.
Visa Information
We work with the UHM International Student Services to assist international students with I-20 and Visa paperwork.