Master of Laws (LLM) Specializations
An LLM specialization puts you at the center of the field you want to work in. Loyola Law School is a leader in many of these areas, and our specializations draw on that strength. You learn from nationally recognized professors whose scholarship and practice shape their fields. You build connections with Loyola alumni who lead firms, studios, companies, and public institutions in Los Angeles and around the world. You study in a city that drives global entertainment, technology, international business, and trade. By the time you graduate, you have the knowledge, the network, and the credential to move your career forward in the field you chose.
Specializations are open to all LLM students, whether you earned your first law degree abroad or in the United States.
Civil Litigation and Advocacy
Train in one of the most respected trial advocacy programs in the United States, ranked among the top 15 by U.S. News & World Report. You study American civil procedure and evidence and develop courtroom skills in Loyola's Advocacy Center.
Criminal Justice
Study American criminal law and procedure minutes from the state and federal criminal courts of Los Angeles. Electives range from pre-trial litigation to white collar defense and international human rights, and Loyola is home to an exceptional group of criminal justice clinics.
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
Learn how organizations protect data, respond to breaches, and meet their legal obligations in a specialization that was the first of its kind on the West Coast. Electives cover privacy law, California data security law, and AI governance.
Entertainment & New Media Law
Study entertainment law in the entertainment capital of the world, at a school consistently ranked among the top entertainment law schools by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Courses cover film, television, music, digital media, and international entertainment.
Intellectual Property
Build expertise in copyright and trademark law, with electives in patents, trade secrets, fashion law, and IP in the digital age. Loyola is ranked among the top programs in the country for intellectual property law by U.S. News & World Report.
International Business Law
Deepen your command of U.S. corporate and finance law, with courses in corporate finance, securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and international business transactions. The specialization is designed for lawyers who advise on cross-border deals, financing, and investment.
How Specializations Work
The LLM degree requires 24 units. Each specialization combines required courses with electives chosen from an approved list, and the specialization is recognized when you complete its prescribed coursework. The remaining units are yours to use on any courses that fit your interests, from Loyola's broad curriculum. The requirements for each specialization are listed on its page.
Other LLM Options
If you prefer a broader course of study, the LLM in American Law lets you design a program around your own interests across Loyola's curriculum. If your main goal is to prepare for a U.S. bar exam, the Bar Track LLM is built entirely around that objective.
Choosing a specialization does not mean giving up on the bar exam. Many of our specializations allow students to meet the eligibility criteria for a U.S. bar exam while they study their chosen field. Eligibility depends on the jurisdiction and on each student's prior legal education, so we encourage you to contact us before planning your courses.
Questions?
Our Graduate Admissions team is happy to help you choose the program that fits your goals, including questions about bar exam eligibility. Contact us at amlaw@lls.edu or 213.736.1074.