Program Overview

Introduction to the LL.M. in Business Law Online Program

The online LL.M. in Business Law is a 24-credit-hour degree that is open to students with a J.D., an LL.B., or an equivalent degree. Since all of the classes are online, students have the flexibility to complete their weekly coursework on their own schedule. Students who select a major must complete at least 16 hours of study under that major's curriculum.

Program Description

The program is designed for lawyers who seek advanced study in business law, securities regulation, corporate finance, and financial regulation to enhance their professional credentials. The program provides advanced business law and finance training to lawyers in areas of growing demand, such as regulatory compliance, in-house counsel, transactional law, complex business litigation, and financial regulation.

Program Structure

The online LL.M. courses incorporate high levels of student-faculty interaction through the use of interactive technology. For example, course discussion boards allow students to engage with each other and with professors. Specialized online research classes are offered to LL.M. students, and online business courses are tailored to provide training in specific, professionally relevant activities.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must have completed a basic law degree from a recognized college, university, or law school.
• Students must have excellent academic records and strong professional and/or academic recommendations.
• Professional experience and demonstrated leadership skills will also be taken into account in admissions decisions.

Tuition and Fees

• The estimated tuition and fees are $16,565 (24 credits) for in-state students and $32,574 (24 credits) for out-of-state students.
• Merit-based scholarships are offered, and all applications are considered for these scholarships.

Degree Requirements

• To earn the LL.M. degree, students must successfully complete 24 units of credit (generally two semesters' study) in residence at the Florida State University College of Law or online if completing the online program.
• Online LL.M. students will be required to complete a paper component and a comprehensive exam.
• An LL.M. thesis is not required for the degree.

Evaluation and Assessment

• In general, on-campus courses are graded by a separate exam or written paper in each course.
• Grades for most courses are, however, based on a single, final examination or paper for each course.
• Online courses designed for our online LL.M. program will contain weekly assignments, mini tests, and mid-term and/or final exams.

Technology Requirements

• All entering students, including LL.M. students, are required to have laptop computers.
• Students have wireless web access within the law school buildings as well as free internet dial-up access, web-based email, Canvas, and free access to many web-based legal research resources.

International Students

Visa Requirements

• LL.M. students outside of the United States generally require F-1 visas or J-1 student visas.
• Because the process to receive a visa may take from 30 to 90 days, admitted students should begin the student visa application process upon acceptance into the program to ensure that the visa will be issued in time for beginning the program in mid-August.

Bar Examination Eligibility

• LL.M. degrees permit foreign lawyers who've completed the LL.M. program to take the bar examination in some jurisdictions, particularly New York, California, and Texas.
• Students must tailor their curriculum to meet the course requirements and credit hours necessary for qualification to take the bar examination in the aforementioned jurisdictions.

English Language Proficiency

• International students whose native language is not English and who did not receive a bachelor's degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution within the United States are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and have official scores submitted to the College of Law.

Post-Graduate Optional Practical Training

• U.S. immigration regulations currently permit F-1 visa students who have been continuously enrolled in the LL.M. program for two semesters to apply for post-graduate optional practical training (OPT).
• The optional practical training permission allows F-1 students to remain in the U.S. for approximately one year to undertake law-related employment.

Transfer to J.D. Program

• Graduates of the LL.M. program whose first degree in law is from a non-U.S. college, university or law school, are eligible to apply to transfer to the College of Law J.D. program.
• The transfer process is highly competitive and ordinarily requires an exceptional record of achievement within the LL.M. program.