A Flexible LL.M. for Working Attorneys
Berkeley Law’s LL.M. Executive Track is designed for lawyers who want to advance their legal education while continuing to meet professional and personal commitments. The program offers the same LL.M. degree as the Traditional Track, with a flexible structure that allows students to spend less time away from home and work.
The Executive Track’s compressed course schedule allows students to focus on a few subjects at a time rather than taking multiple courses simultaneously throughout a traditional academic semester. Courses are intensive, with classes followed by exams, allowing students to engage deeply with each subject while managing their other commitments. For foreign trained attorneys, Fundamentals of U.S. Law and Legal Research and Writing provide an introduction to the U.S. legal system and the skills needed to succeed in an American law school classroom. Choose the Format That Works for You
The Executive Track offers two program formats, each designed to provide a rigorous Berkeley Law education with less time away from home.
Remote + Summer
Complete your LL.M. in one calendar year through part-time online study during the spring and fall and one full-time, in-person summer semester in Berkeley.
- Begin the program remotely in January and complete the degree in December.
- Online spring and fall courses require approximately 15 hours of work per week or less and are designed to accommodate professional and personal commitments.
- Spend one full-time summer semester studying in Berkeley, with a wide range of courses to choose from.
Two Summers
Complete your LL.M. over two consecutive full-time summer semesters in Berkeley.
- Study full-time during two consecutive 8- to 10-week summer semesters.
- Take required and elective courses in an intensive format that allows you to focus on a few subjects at a time.
- Spend two summers fully immersed in the Berkeley Law community while maintaining your professional commitments during the rest of the year.
Your Time at Berkeley
Both Executive Track formats include an immersive summer experience at Berkeley Law. During the summer, Executive Track students study full-time alongside their LL.M. classmates and have the opportunity to build connections with faculty and other attorneys from around the world. The LL.M. Executive Track is the only degree program running at the law school during the summer semester, creating a close-knit community among LL.M. students and faculty. Shortly after the semester begins, you’ll know nearly every person you see in the hallways.
The summer also offers time to experience Berkeley and the Bay Area beyond the classroom. Students can take advantage of the region’s legal, business, and technology communities and explore the area during evenings and weekends.
Program Structure
The non-traditional structure of our LL.M. Executive Track enables students to receive the same LL.M. degree as our Traditional Track, but on a more flexible timeline. Unlike an academic year semester in which students take multiple courses at the same time, students in the summer term of Executive Track take 2-4 courses every few weeks with exams immediately following.
This program structure compresses our academic year course schedule, allowing students to delve deeply into a few subject matters at a time for a rigorous and intensive educational experience. After students enroll in two required courses, they are free to enroll in any of the electives they choose.
All Executive Track students take courses full-time during the summer semester in Berkeley. Only students in the remote + summer timeline take courses part-time in the spring and fall semesters. These part-time online courses last four to seven weeks followed by an exam.