Best Online LLM Programs in 2026: Your Guide to Advancing a Legal Career

Key Takeaways:

• Online LLM programs let working attorneys specialize in areas such as tax law or health law without pausing their careers.
• Estimated costs among these programs range from around $13,500 to $34,000, so there is room for different budgets.
• Several programs are built specifically for internationally trained lawyers seeking U.S. legal credentials.

Earning a Master of Laws can feel like a big decision, especially if you are already juggling a legal career or trying to build U.S. credentials as an internationally trained attorney. The good news is that online LLM programs have made it a lot easier to specialize in a niche area without putting your job on hold.

GetEducated has spent time reviewing accredited law schools so you can compare formats and costs in one place. Take a look at this online Master of Laws directory to browse programs by specialty, or keep scrolling for a closer look at some standout options.

Top Online LLM Programs to Consider

From about $13,500 to $34,000 in estimated total cost, these programs give you several ways to specialize without a long campus residency requirement.

Liberty University: Master of Laws in International Legal Studies

Liberty University’s online LLM in International Legal Studies is designed for law graduates seeking a deeper understanding of American legal systems, often as a stepping stone toward practicing or teaching in the U.S. The 24-credit curriculum covers legal writing, comparative law, and specialized electives you can tailor to your interests.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; international applicants must show proof of English proficiency
• Estimated Cost: $14,557

This program is a solid pick if you already hold a law degree from outside the U.S. and want formal recognition here. Check Liberty’s tuition and fees page for current pricing.

University of Arkansas: Master of Laws in Agricultural & Food Law

The University of Arkansas runs one of the longest-standing and most respected LLM programs focused entirely on agricultural and food law, covering everything from farm policy to food safety regulation. Students dig into real regulatory issues facing producers, agribusinesses, and policymakers.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; English proficiency proof required for international applicants
• Estimated Cost: $13,565

If you are drawn to food systems or rural policy work, this is a fairly unique niche in online legal education. Visit Arkansas’s program tuition page for details.

University of Arizona: Master of Laws

The University of Arizona’s online LLM offers a flexible, general track that lets you shape your coursework around your own career goals, whether that means business law, health law, or another concentration. It is designed to work around the schedules of practicing professionals.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree
• Estimated Cost: $16,512

Arizona’s law school has built a strong reputation for online legal education, and this program keeps things adaptable. Find current rates on Arizona’s tuition and aid page.

Regent University: Master of Laws in Human Rights

Regent University’s LLM in Human Rights is geared toward attorneys who want to work in advocacy, humanitarian law, or international policy. The program blends legal theory with practical training in how human rights frameworks operate globally.

• Credits: 30
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Master’s degree (typically a law degree)
• Estimated Cost: $23,500

This is a strong option if your legal career is heading toward nonprofit or advocacy work. See Regent’s tuition rates for the latest figures.

Regent University: Master of Laws in Foundations of American Law

Also from Regent, this LLM track is designed for internationally trained lawyers who need a grounding in U.S. legal principles before pursuing further practice or study here. Coursework covers constitutional law, contracts, and the American court system.

• Credits: 30
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Master’s degree (typically a law degree)
• Estimated Cost: $23,500

It pairs well for those weighing whether to also pursue bar admission down the line. Check Regent’s tuition rates for current costs.

George Mason University: Master of Laws in U.S. Law

George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School offers this online LLM for law graduates trained outside the U.S. who want to understand American legal doctrine and, in many cases, prepare for a U.S. bar exam. The curriculum leans heavily on core subjects like torts, property, and civil procedure.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; English proficiency proof required for international applicants
• Estimated Cost: $28,800

Scalia Law has a strong reputation in law and economics, which shows up in the way the program frames legal analysis. Review George Mason’s tuition information before applying.

University of Oklahoma: Master of Laws in Healthcare Law

Oklahoma’s online LLM in Healthcare Law is designed for attorneys who work with hospitals, insurers, or health systems navigating a highly regulated field. Coursework touches on compliance, patient rights, and health policy.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $18,239 in state, $29,555 out of state

Health law is a growing niche, and this program lets you specialize without leaving your current job. Visit OU’s healthcare law LLM page for tuition details.

University of Oklahoma: Master of Laws in International Business Law

This Oklahoma LLM focuses on cross-border transactions, trade regulation, and international contracts, making it a good fit for attorneys working with multinational clients. The online format allows for a global cohort of students.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $18,239 in state, $29,555 out of state

If your practice touches international deals or compliance, this concentration builds directly relevant skills. See OU’s tuition page for current rates.

University of Oklahoma: Master of Laws in Energy & Natural Resources Law

Given Oklahoma’s deep ties to the energy sector, this LLM concentration covers oil and gas law, environmental regulation, and natural resources policy in detail. It is a natural fit for attorneys working in or around the energy industry.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $18,239 in state, $29,555 out of state

This program draws on faculty with real energy sector experience. Check OU’s tuition information for pricing.

University of Oklahoma: Master of Laws in Indigenous Peoples Law

This specialized LLM covers tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law, and the legal frameworks that govern relationships between tribal nations and the U.S. government. It is one of the relatively few programs offering this depth of focus online.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $18,239 in state, $29,555 out of state

Attorneys working with tribal governments or in federal Indian law will find this concentration hard to match elsewhere. Visit OU’s program tuition page for details.

Stetson University: Master of Laws in Advocacy

Stetson University College of Law has long been known for its trial advocacy training, and this online LLM extends that reputation to courtroom skills such as litigation strategy, evidence, and persuasive argument. It suits attorneys who litigate regularly and want to sharpen their craft.

• Credits: 24
• Format: Mostly Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; English proficiency proof required for international applicants
• Estimated Cost: $30,200

If courtroom performance is central to your work, this program builds on Stetson’s strong advocacy pedigree. See Stetson’s tuition and financial aid page for current costs.

Samford University: Master of Laws

Samford’s Cumberland School of Law offers a general online LLM aimed at both U.S. and internationally trained attorneys looking to broaden their legal expertise. The 31-credit program allows some flexibility in choosing electives.

• Credits: 31
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree
• Estimated Cost: $31,916

Cumberland has a long history in legal education, and this program carries that same academic rigor online. Check Samford’s Master of Laws page for tuition details.

Texas A&M University: Master of Laws in International Tax

Texas A&M’s online LLM in International Tax prepares attorneys and tax professionals to handle cross-border tax planning, treaty issues, and multinational compliance work. It draws on the school’s respected tax law faculty.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree
• Estimated Cost: $33,825

This concentration is well-suited to attorneys working in corporate tax departments or international accounting firms. Visit Texas A&M’s law tuition page for current rates.

Texas A&M University: Master of Laws in Wealth Management

This Texas A&M LLM concentration focuses on estate planning, trusts, and strategies for managing the legal and financial affairs of high-net-worth clients. It pairs legal training with practical wealth planning skills.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree
• Estimated Cost: $33,825

Attorneys working with private clients or family offices may find this a natural specialization. See Texas A&M’s tuition page for pricing.

Texas A&M University: Master of Laws in Risk Management

Rounding out Texas A&M’s law offerings, this LLM concentration covers legal risk assessment, insurance law, and compliance strategy for organizations managing complex liability exposure. It is a good match for attorneys moving into corporate risk or compliance roles.

• Credits: 24
• Format: 100% Online
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree
• Estimated Cost: $33,825

This is a fairly specialized track that can open doors in corporate legal departments. Check Texas A&M’s law tuition page for current costs.

Best Online LLM Programs FAQ

Here are answers to a few common questions people ask while researching an online Master of Laws.

What is the difference between a JD and an LLM?

A Juris Doctor is the degree that gets you into legal practice in the first place. At the same time, an LLM is an advanced credential for attorneys who already hold a law degree and want to specialize or, in some cases, qualify for a U.S. bar exam. If you have not yet earned a law degree, you will want to look into the path to becoming a lawyer before considering an LLM.

Is an LLM the same as a Master of Legal Studies?

Not quite. An LLM is generally meant for people who already hold a law degree, while a Master of Legal Studies is designed for professionals who want legal knowledge for their field without becoming a licensed attorney. If you are not planning to practice law, it may be worth comparing online Master of Legal Studies programs instead.

Do I need to attend an ABA-accredited law school for an LLM?

It depends on your goals. If you plan to sit for a U.S. bar exam afterward, some states require your underlying law degree or LLM coursework to come from an ABA-accredited school, so it is worth checking your target state’s rules early. You can browse a list of ABA-accredited law schools to see which programs qualify.

How much can I earn with a law degree?

Pay varies a lot by specialization and location, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for lawyers was $151,160 in May 2024. Specialized LLM concentrations, such as tax or healthcare law, can sometimes command higher pay, depending on the industry.

Can international students pursue an online LLM?

Yes, several of the programs above, including those at Liberty University and George Mason University, are specifically designed for law graduates trained outside the U.S. Most require proof of English proficiency as part of the admissions process, and some are structured to help you understand U.S. legal systems from the ground up.

What can I do with an LLM besides practicing law?

An LLM can also open doors outside a traditional courtroom career, including compliance, policy work, teaching, or corporate advisory roles. If you are exploring options, this rundown of alternative careers with a law degree is a good place to start.

Choose an Online LLM Program That Fits Your Goals

Whether you want to specialize in tax law, health law, or international practice, there is likely an online LLM program on this list that fits your background and budget. GetEducated’s affordable online LLM rankings can help you compare even more options as you narrow things down, so take some time to explore what actually fits where your career is headed.