Fall 2025-26 Options: Frequently Asked Questions

Academics

If I arrive for the LL.M. traditional track late, how will I catch up with classes?
It won’t be easy, but we will support you! Most classes will not be recorded, which means that you will need to get notes from a classmate when you arrive. You will be responsible for all of the material covered in any classes that you have missed, so if you arrive late, we recommend that you meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible to plan your schedule in a way that leaves time to catch up.

Please be sure to read the course descriptions for your classes carefully. Some classes require attendance on the first day, which will not be waived even if you are otherwise approved for late arrival.

What do the remote semesters look like in the LL.M. executive track?
Our online semesters are part-time with all of the courses to be completed asynchronously. There are live sessions for the courses that will be recorded as well, though students are encouraged to join those contemporaneously when possible. We designed these remote semesters to provide the flexibility to our students to work and complete their classes at the same time.

Which certificates are offered in each track?
Our Certificates of Specialization page links to all certificates in all tracks, including which courses fulfill the certificate requirements. The LL.M. executive track is the only degree option in which students can earn a Certificate of Specialization in AI Law & Regulation! We also offer certificates in business law and law & technology in the LL.M. executive track.

In the LL.M. traditional track, students can earn a certificate in business law, law & technology, environmental law, energy & clean technology law, international law, or public interest and social justice.

How do I apply for a certificate?
Certificates are designed to help you focus your studies and should be kept in mind when you’re enrolling in classes. You “apply” for your certificate during your last semester by confirming with the Center that administers your certificate that you have completed the stated requirements (often by sharing your transcript to show you took the requisite classes).

When do I have to decide which certificate to pursue?
You won’t officially “apply” for the certificate until the semester you graduate, but you should keep in mind the requirements for any certificate you’re interested in pursuing when you enroll in classes. You can change your mind about certificates at any time, though, and many students do!

When will I enroll in courses?
Students starting in the LL.M. traditional track in fall 2025 will enroll in courses at 9 AM PDT on July 31; we save seats in classes just for LL.M. students. You should make sure to fill your CalCentral shopping cart ahead of time so that you can enroll as soon as your enrollment appointment starts.

Students in the LL.M. Executive track starting in fall 2025 will automatically be enrolled in Fundamentals of U.S. Law and Legal Research & Writing after the administrative process to implement your change to this option is complete. You will be able to choose and enroll in your remaining elective courses on CalCentral after.

What courses will be offered in the part-time remote semesters of the LL.M. executive track fall-start option?
We will offer Fundamentals of U.S. Law (3 units), Legal Research and Writing (1 unit), Intellectual property Law (3 units), Business Law (3 units), and Hot Topics in GenAI (1 unit) during the Fall semester.

Fundamentals of U.S. Law and Legal Research and Writing are required for all students unless they choose to waive on the basis of a prior eligible J.D. degree. Students may choose between Intellectual Property Law or Business Law, and whether to enroll in Hot Topics in GenAI.

Information about the remote Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 course schedules can be found here.

Summer 2026 courses are not yet available; however, you can review the courses offered in Summer 2025 to get an idea of what we’ve offered in the past on the Schedule of Classes. Please note that no course offerings are guaranteed; courses are subject to change.

Should I enroll in LL.M. traditional track Fall semester courses on July 31st if I’m not sure I’ll get my visa in time?

If you think there is a reasonable likelihood that you will arrive at Berkeley Law in time to participate in the 25/26 traditional track LL.M. program, we do encourage you to enroll in your classes as planned. However, if you do so, you need to be particularly attentive to the decision deadlines because both financial and visa consequences will accrue.

After you enroll in classes, tuition & fees will be posted for Fall 2025. If you later find that you are unable to arrive by our latest arrival date of 4 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 27th and you withdraw prior to August 18th, you would not be charged. If you choose to withdraw on or after August 18th, you would be charged non-refundable fees and a percentage of your tuition pursuant to the Cancellations & Refunds policy.

I’m interested in experiential education (clinics, practicums, pro bono work, etc.). Which option(s) should I choose?
Our academic-year program offers more experiential education opportunities than the executive track, which focuses coursework on cutting-edge legal developments. If you’re interested in experiential education, you should arrive on time, opt for late arrival if necessary, or defer to the LL.M. traditional track starting in Fall 2026.

There are no clinics, practicums, or pro bono opportunities available in the remote semesters or summer term due to the nature of the academic schedule. However, there are many simulation-based experiential classes (negotiation, drafting, advocacy) that are available to LL.M. students in the summer, and these are very popular with LL.M. students.

I’m interested in participating in a scholarly journal. Which option should I choose?
Students who are interested in a scholarly journal should choose to attend the LL.M. traditional track, because journals at Berkeley Law select their members in the fall and continue their work in the spring. Students cannot participate in journals in the summer.

My goal is to apply for your J.S.D. program after I graduate. Which option will be best for me?
We accept applications for the J.S.D. program from all of our LL.M. tracks, and any of the enrollment options would work equally well. The most important factor in a successful J.S.D. application is to earn good grades and build a relationship with a faculty member who will be willing to advise you in your research. It is not dependent on whether you start in Fall or Spring, or whether you take courses remotely or on campus.

If I choose the LL.M. executive track, will my diploma indicate this when I graduate? 

No, the diploma will not specify which track you completed to earn your degree. Both tracks lead to the same LL.M. degree from Berkeley Law.

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OPT

Which options would make me eligible for OPT?
The Berkeley International Office (BIO) advises all current and incoming students about OPT and other visa-related issues, and you should always refer to their guidance. Students in the Executive Track program (Fall or Spring start) are not eligible for OPT since students need to be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and maintain valid F-1 status while being physically present in the U.S.

For those who plan to arrive late, this may impact your eligibility for OPT. We encourage you to reach out to the Berkeley International Office to discuss.

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Bar Exam

I’m interested in taking the California bar exam. Which option(s) will let me do that?
All of them!

I’m interested in taking the New York bar exam. Which option(s) will let me do that?
The New York Board of Law Examiners (NYBOLE) has strict requirements for bar exam eligibility, particularly concerning distance education and online programs. The New York courts have approved a petition to allow late-arriving students in an in-person program to remain eligible for the New York bar exam.

However, our LL.M. Executive Track program does not confer eligibility for the New York State Bar Examination because the total number of units earned online exceed their exception for distance education credits and they do not recognize courses taken during a summer term.You may be eligible to take the New York bar exam if you fall into Rule 520.6 (b) (2). 

Keep in mind that the California bar could be a good option for you, too! Our advising team has provided guidance on bCourses and they are available and happy to discuss your individual circumstances during drop-in summer advising, or in longer individual appointments once you begin the program.

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Tuition, Fees, Financial Aid and Scholarship

When should I pay tuition?

Tuition & fees will be posted to your account after you are enrolled in courses. The deadlines will be visible on your CalCentral My Finances tab. If you are unsure of which option you will be going with at this point, you may opt to wait to pay your tuition & fees until you are more sure of your decision. The Student Billing Department has informed our office that they are not currently assessing late fees, so it will be okay to pay after the deadline.

I received a scholarship offer through the LL.M. traditional track program. Will I receive this award if I enroll in the fall-start LL.M. executive track remote + summer program?

Yes. The award will be divided over three semesters: 25% in Fall, 25% in Spring, and the final 50% in Summer.

I received a scholarship offer through the LL.M. traditional track program. Will I receive this award if I enroll in the spring-start LL.M. executive track remote + summer program?

Yes. The award will be divided over three semesters: 25% in Spring, 50% in Summer, and the final 25% in Fall.

I applied for a private alternative loan for the 2025-26 academic year. How will participating in the LL.M. executive track change loan disbursements? 

Some private loan lenders require their borrowers to be enrolled in at least 6 units, so we strongly encourage all students in the LL.M. executive track to maintain at least half-time enrollment at Berkeley Law. Please reach out to the Berkeley Law Financial Aid office directly (email or schedule an appointment) if you have further questions.

I was offered federal financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year. How will participating in the LL.M. executive track change loan disbursements?

Students in the LL.M. executive track must be enrolled in at least 6 units each semester to be eligible for federal student loans for all three semesters. 

Am I required to pay for the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)?

Health insurance is compulsory for all UC students attending Berkeley Law in person, and enrollment in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is automatic. However, students have the option to retain SHIP or waive enrollment if they possess alternative coverage meeting the University’s specified criteria.

SHIP fees are charged at different times and differ slightly for each track. Please review the Cost of Attendance page to review the differences. 

Is there any difference in tuition and fees among all the different options?

Both of the Executive Track fall start and spring start program options will have the same tuition & fees as the Traditional Track program starting this Fall 2025. Please refer to our Cost of Attendance page.

If you choose to defer to Fall 2026, tuition & fees will be somewhat higher because LL.M. tuition fees increase by about 5% each year. The Cost of Attendance page will be updated with the 2026-2027 tuition & fees in Summer of 2026.

No discounts will be given to offset the standard tuition fee increase for future semesters.

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Visa

Will I need to get a new visa if I opt for either of the LL.M. executive track options?

Yes, once you have affirmatively opted for either the fall-start or the spring-start LL.M. executive track remote + summer options, we will let the Berkeley International Office know about your enrollment plan so they can update your records. You will be asked to fill out the NIF in January 2026 for your summer 2026 visa. 

I have a visa question. Can I email you?

All visa questions should be directed to the Berkeley International Office (BIO). BIO services all international students at Berkeley and helps with all of the student visa processing. They will have the most well-informed insight into matters concerning our international student visas. You can reach out to them directly at internationaloffice@berkeley.edu, attend drop in virtual advising, or schedule a virtual advising appointment. 

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