Master of Laws (LL.M.)

Welcome to the UC Davis School of Law!

The School of Law at UC Davis is one of the world's leading law schools. We are proud of our history of outstanding scholarship, teaching and real-world impact. Faculty, fellow students and staff are accessible, engaged and committed to your education, and our alumni form a strong, lifelong global network.

The UC Davis LL.M. program integrates American and international law students at all levels of study and provides LL.M. candidates with a broad curriculum of many different courses over ten months of study. Through the LL.M. program, international law graduates are able to gain a basic knowledge of the U.S. legal system and also have the opportunity to develop special expertise in a particular area of law. Come to King Hall for our:

General - Customized LL.M.: Working with the program director, you will tailor your curriculum to either gain a basic knowledge of the U.S. legal system, or to focus on any area of legal scholarship supported by King Hall's world-class curricula. The General LL.M. is designed to fit each student's needs, including preparation for a bar exam.

LL.M. with a Pre-Planned Specialized Area of Study: Select a specific area of focus based on the School of Law curriculum. Our law school curriculum offers many areas of focus. Common selections include business law, private or public international law, criminal law and procedure, intellectual property, human rights and social justice law, public interest law, environmental and natural resources law, health law and bioethics and many others in our School of Law curriculum.

Two-Year Advanced LL.M.: For some students, a longer period of study is vital to meeting educational and career goals. For more information about our two-year Advanced LL.M. Program, please contact our LL.M. Admissions Office at llm@ucdavis.edu.

Spring Start LL.M. Option: For some students, starting the LL.M. program in spring semester is vital to meeting educational and career goals. For more information about our Spring Start LL.M. option, please contact our LL.M. Admissions Office at llm@ucdavis.edu.

Bar Preparation: The UC Davis School of Law also provides excellent preparation to participants who choose to take a Bar examination.

All LL.M. students are invited to take advantage of our pre-LL.M. programs. Learn US academic preparation skills, fundamentals of the US legal system, improve your English, and prepare for your LL.M.

Orientation in U.S.A. Law

Join other pre-LL.M. students as well as international lawyers, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law professors and business professionals as you gain a better understanding of the theories and practices of the U.S. legal system while enriching the program with diverse legal perspectives from your own legal system. Complete more than 170 hours of classes, seminars, special pre-LL.M. workshops, and on-site observations. Social events and field trips build strong and lasting global friendships.

English for Legal Professionals

Designed for practicing lawyers and law students, this program provides focused practice in learning legal terminology in English. This is an outstanding preliminary course for those continuing on to the Orientation in U.S.A. Law program.

UC Davis is the home of the Aggies — go-getters, change makers and problem solvers who make their mark at one of the top public universities in the United States.

Since we first opened in 1908, we’ve been known for standout academics, sustainability and Aggie Pride as well as valuing the Northern California lifestyle. These themes are woven into our 100-plus-year history and our reputation for solving problems related to food, health, the environment and society.

Our 5,300-acre campus borders the city of Davis, a vibrant college town of about 68,000 people living in Yolo County. The state capital is 20 minutes away, and world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley are within a two-hour drive.

UC Davis Land Acknowledgement

UC Davis pays homage to the indigenous people and land on which the Davis campus is located. Following consultation with members of the Patwin native community, the campus is pleased to provide the following Land Acknowledgement Statement:

We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which we are gathered. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.