McGeorge offers graduate programs for both domestically trained attorneys and foreign-trained attorneys. Whether you seek an advanced legal program focusing on U.S. Law & Policy, Transnational Business, or Water & Environmental Law, McGeorge is the right place for you.

McGeorge’s international law program is consistently ranked by U.S. News World Report as one of the top 20 international law programs in the U.S.

Graduate law programs at McGeorge have also been recognized by International Jurist to provide Top Value and excellent law school experience.

Questions?

Contact the Graduate & International Programs Office
Email | 916.739.7019

LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice

The LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice trains lawyers to practice in the field of international business law. Whether trained in civil or common law, an LL.M. in Transnational Business Practice from McGeorge further prepares lawyers for a career in the global economy.  

Our LL.M. program has three requirements, (1) a substantive course:  Transnational Litigation or International Business Transactions; (2) LL.M. Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis; and (3) Legal English The remaining course units can be customized to meet your individual career goals.

For the students electing to do the LL.M. with internship, students must also enroll in at least one externship or internship course.

Program Highlights

• Get real practical experience
• Enjoy classes with J.D. students
• Benefit from faculty expertise in the International Law field
• Work with an academic advisor to tailor your course selection to meet your career goals
• Have access to McGeorge's broad base of alumni who work in international law firms in more than 40 countries
• Join a community of law students studying on the McGeorge campus, and receive special assistance in adjusting to student life in the United States

Program Requirements 

Admitted students will undertake an individually tailored sequence of courses to fulfill the 24-unit program requirement.

• 24 units of study
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale

Curriculum

• Three required courses:
  • (1) a substantive course: Transnational Litigation or International Business Transactions;
  • (2) LLM Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis; and
  • (3) Legal English 
• For the students doing the internship option, they must also enroll in an externship or internship course.
• The remaining course units can be customized to meet your individual career goals. See below for the list of electives.

Note that you have the option to complete an externship for credit with an international law firm, or to engage in advanced scholarship by pursuing a Master's Thesis or Directed Research Project.

Required Courses
LAW 699M	Legal English	1
LAW 980	LLM Legal Research, Writing and Analysis	2
Choose one of the following courses:
LAW 625	International Business Transactions	3
LAW 635	Transnational Litigation	3

Electives 1
LAW 101	Contracts/Analytical Skills	4
LAW 110	Contracts	4
LAW 151	Business Associations	4
LAW 155	Community Property	2
LAW 170	Wills and Trusts	3
LAW 185	Professional Responsibility	2
LAW 211	Entrepreneurial Management	2
LAW 216	The Business of Lawyering	1
LAW 220	Banking Law	3
LAW 225	Bankruptcy	2-3
LAW 240	Insurance Law	2-3
LAW 255	Federal Securities Regulations	3
LAW 257	Making Deals	2
LAW 260	Commercial Law	3
LAW 261	Sales of Goods	3
LAW 265	Copyright Law	2-3
LAW 266	Patent Law	3
LAW 275	Survey of Intellectual Property Law	3
LAW 280	U.S. Antitrust and International Competition Law	2
LAW 285	Trademark Law	2
LAW 290	Computer and Internet Law	2-3
LAW 297	Sports Law	2-3
LAW 300	Federal Income Taxation	3
LAW 310	Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships	3
LAW 325	Taxation of Real Estate Transactions	3
LAW 375	U.S. Taxation of International Transactions	3
LAW 410	White Collar Crime	2
LAW 433	Employment Law	3
LAW 515	Conflict of Laws	3
LAW 526	Mediation	2-3
LAW 528	Online Dispute Resolution	1
LAW 550	Immigration Law and Policy	3
LAW 600	Public International Law	3
LAW 608	International and Foreign Legal Research	1-2
LAW 625	International Business Transactions	3
LAW 630	International Banking	2
LAW 631	International Negotiations	2
LAW 635	Transnational Litigation	3
LAW 647	International Economic Law	2
LAW 650	European Union Law	1-3
LAW 675	U.S. & International Sale of Goods	2
LAW 680	International Intellectual Property	1-3
LAW 688	Internship	12
LAW 689	International Commercial and Investment Arbitration	3
LAW 690	Special Topics- International	1-3
LAW 690B	Hot Topics in European and International Company Law	1
LAW 694	International Dispute Resolution	1
LAW 699G	Information Privacy Law	1-2
LAW 699R	The Law of Art, International Commerce and Cultural Heritage	1
LAW 699X	Negotiations	3
LAW 705	Introduction to Space Law	1
LAW 802	Negotiation and Settlements Seminar	2 or 3
LAW 826	Negotiating Disputes Into Deals	1
LAW 865	Immigration Clinic	1-3
LAW 954	Externship	3-4
LAW 957	Externship - Seminar	0
LAW 989	Master's Thesis	6
LAW 991	Directed Research, Graduate Level	1-2
Candidates may also be permitted to enroll in other elective courses relevant to transnational business practice not listed above. See the full schedule. Note: Not all electives listed above are offered in every academic year. 1

LL.M. in U.S. Law & Policy

The LL.M. in U.S. Law and Policy is designed specifically for international lawyers or law graduates who seek a general introduction to United States law. You will study the foundation of U.S. law, and be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. law to employees and clients.

Program Highlights

• Experience courses with J.D. students allowing direct observation of American lawyer training
• Work with an academic advisor to tailor your course selection to qualify to take a bar exam
• Study the foundation of U.S. law to be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. law to employees and clients
• Have access to McGeorge's broad base of alumni from all over the world
• Join a community of law students, faculty, and alumni, and receive special assistance in adjusting to student life in the United States

Program Requirements 

Admitted students will undertake an individually tailored sequence of courses to fulfill the 24-unit program requirement.

• 24 units of study
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale

Curriculum

• Three required courses:
  • (1) LLM Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis; 
  • (2) Legal English; and
  • (3) A substantive course: 
    • Civil Procedure;
    • Constitutional Law;
    • Contracts;
    • Criminal Law; or
    • Property.
• The remaining course units can be customized to meet your individual career goals. See below for the list of electives.

Required
LAW 980	LLM Legal Research, Writing and Analysis	2
LAW 699M	Legal English	1
At least one of the following:
LAW 105	Civil Procedure	2-4
LAW 110	Contracts	4
LAW 115	Criminal Law	2-4
LAW 131	Torts	4
LAW 163	Constitutional Law	4

Elective
LAW 100	Skills Lab- Torts	1
LAW 101	Contracts/Analytical Skills	4
LAW 105	Civil Procedure	2-4
LAW 110	Contracts	2-4
LAW 115	Criminal Law	2-4
LAW 125	Property	2-4
LAW 131	Torts	2-4
LAW 151	Business Associations	4
LAW 155	Community Property	2
LAW 163	Constitutional Law	4
LAW 165	Criminal Procedure	3
LAW 170	Wills and Trusts	3
LAW 174	Evidence	4
LAW 185	Professional Responsibility	2
LAW 190	Remedies	3
LAW 209	Local Agency Practice	2
LAW 210	Business Planning	2-3
LAW 211	Entrepreneurial Management	2
LAW 216	The Business of Lawyering	1
LAW 220	Banking Law	3
LAW 225	Bankruptcy	2-3
LAW 230	Water Resources Law	2-3
LAW 240	Insurance Law	2-3
LAW 255	Federal Securities Regulations	3
LAW 257	Making Deals	2
LAW 260	Commercial Law	3
LAW 261	Sales of Goods	3
LAW 265	Copyright Law	2-3
LAW 266	Patent Law	3
LAW 275	Survey of Intellectual Property Law	3
LAW 280	U.S. Antitrust and International Competition Law	2
LAW 285	Trademark Law	2
LAW 290	Computer and Internet Law	2-3
LAW 297	Sports Law	2-3
LAW 300	Federal Income Taxation	3
LAW 302	Estate and Gift Tax/Estate Planning	3
LAW 304	Mental Health - Policy and Law	2
LAW 310	Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships	3
LAW 325	Taxation of Real Estate Transactions	3
LAW 375	U.S. Taxation of International Transactions	3
LAW 400	Advanced Criminal Procedure	2
LAW 405	Worker's Compensation Law	2
LAW 410	White Collar Crime	2
LAW 415	Criminal Law Defenses	2
LAW 433	Employment Law	3
LAW 440	Family Law	2-3
LAW 442	Alternatives to Litigation in Family Law	2
LAW 450	Juvenile Law	1
LAW 465	Federal Habeas Corpus	3
LAW 500	Administrative Law	3
LAW 502	The Executive Branch and the Administrative State	3
LAW 503	Legislation and Statutory Interpretation	3
LAW 505	Legislatures and Lawmaking	3
LAW 506	Law and Literature	1-2
LAW 507	Environmental Law	3
LAW 509	Special Topics in Environmental Law	2 or 3
LAW 510	Natural Resources Law	3
LAW 511	Climate Change Law & Policy	2
LAW 513	California Lobbying & Politics	2
LAW 513-O	Lobbying & Politics	3
LAW 515	Conflict of Laws	3
LAW 517	Statutes and Regulations	3
LAW 526	Mediation	2-3
LAW 528	Online Dispute Resolution	1
LAW 535	First Amendment	3
LAW 545	Federal Courts	3
LAW 550	Immigration Law and Policy	3
LAW 555	Labor Law	3
LAW 560	Land Use Planning	2
LAW 561	Representing Local Agencies	1
LAW 566	Public Agency Law	2
LAW 567	Election Law	2
LAW 567-O	Election Law - Online	3
LAW 568	California Initiative Seminar	2
LAW 570	Health Law	3
LAW 572	Public Health Law	3
LAW 573	Bioethics and Public Health Law	1-3
LAW 576	Cap. Lawyering and Pol. Making	2
LAW 576-O	Government Law & Policymaking	3
LAW 583	Water & Environmental Justice	3
LAW 586	Federal Indian Law	2-3
LAW 590	Animal Law	2
LAW 616	Marijuana Law Seminar	2
LAW 624	Legal Spanish for U.S. Lawyers	2
LAW 630	International Banking	2
LAW 631	International Negotiations	2
LAW 635	Transnational Litigation	3
LAW 647	International Economic Law	2
LAW 675	U.S. & International Sale of Goods	2
LAW 680	International Intellectual Property	1-3
LAW 688	Internship	12
LAW 699A	California Craft Beer Law	2
LAW 699C	Leading in the Law	1
LAW 699CC	Racial Justice and Equity Practicum	3-4
LAW 699F	Cybersecurity Law & Policy	1
LAW 699G	Information Privacy Law	2
LAW 699H	Race, Mass Incarceration & Criminal Justice Reform	3
LAW 699K	Law Teaching	2
LAW 699R	The Law of Art, International Commerce and Cultural Heritage	1
LAW 699T	Law and Legal Technology	1-2
LAW 699W	Healthcare Compliance	3
LAW 699X	Negotiations	3
LAW 699Y	Implicit Bias and the Law: Modern Forms of Discrimination	2
LAW 699Z	Voting Rights Then and Now	1
LAW 705	Introduction to Space Law	1
LAW 706	Persuasive Public Speaking	1-2
LAW 711	Practical Analysis, Strategies, & Skills (PASS) I	3
LAW 712	Practical Analysis, Strategies, & Skills (PASS) II	3
LAW 745	Elder Law and Social Policy	3
LAW 780	Sexual Orientation and Gender ID	2
LAW 800	Client Interviewing and Counseling	2
LAW 802	Negotiation and Settlements Seminar	2 or 3
LAW 821	Taking and Defending Depositions	2
LAW 822	Lawmaking in California	2
LAW 826	Negotiating Disputes Into Deals	1
LAW 853	Legislative & Public Policy Clinic	3
LAW 865	Immigration Clinic	1-3
LAW 954	Externship	3-4
LAW 957	Externship - Seminar	0
LAW 989	Master's Thesis	6
LAW 991	Directed Research, Graduate Level	1-2
Candidates may also be permitted to enroll in other elective courses relevant to US law and policy not listed above. See the full schedule. Note: Not all electives listed above are offered in every academic year.

LL.M. in Water & Environmental Law

The LL.M. in Water & Environmental Law will prepare you to serve the diverse needs of businesses and developers, farmers and ranchers, non-profit organizations, and public agencies at every level from local to international.

Program Highlights

• Experience first-hand observation and participation in solving complex relevant real issues
• Enjoy small class sizes
• Take advantage of our mentoring and career development resources
• Obtain special assistance with course selection and class success
• Online option

Program Requirements

• 24 units of study
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale

Curriculum

The  LL.M. in Water & Environmental Law graduate program emphasizes interdisciplinary natural resources classes; simulations and case studies; a robust field placement experience; and advanced substantive law course work. The combination of natural resources science, technology, and economics, with strong legal coursework and hands-on training, makes this program unique among other natural resources law graduate degrees. There are two courses of study.

• U.S. Law Track — This track focuses on issues affecting the United States. It is designed for students with a law degree to gain expertise in this growing field of environmental and natural resources law.  You have the option to take all courses online or to enroll in the in-person program with some courses offered online.
• International Track — For law graduates interested in pursuing careers in government, non-governmental organizations, or private law firms dealing with international water and environmental issues. This program focuses on the unique laws, policies, and political dynamics as it applies to watercourses and other natural resources that are shared by two or more nations.
• Fast Track — This accelerated program is available to McGeorge J.D. students for both the U.S. Law Track and International Track of the Water & Environmental Law LL.M. degree.

U.S. Law Track (Includes Online Program Option)

Required Courses
LAW 230	Water Resources Law	2-3
LAW 502	The Executive Branch and the Administrative State	3
LAW 505	Legislatures and Lawmaking	3
LAW 507	Environmental Law	3
Note that some of these courses are only offered online.

Electives
LAW 209	Local Agency Practice	2
LAW 217	Leadership in Organizations for Graduate Students	1
LAW 235	Environmental Practice	3
LAW 509	Special Topics in Environmental Law	2 or 3
LAW 510	Natural Resources Law	3
LAW 511	Climate Change Law & Policy	2
LAW 513-O	Lobbying & Politics	3
LAW 526	Mediation	2-3
LAW 560	Land Use Planning	2
LAW 567-O	Election Law - Online	3
LAW 568	California Initiative Seminar	2
LAW 576-O	Government Law & Policymaking	3
LAW 583	Water & Environmental Justice	3
LAW 620	International Environmental Law	3
LAW 621	International Water Resources Law Seminar	3
LAW 706	Persuasive Public Speaking	1-2
LAW 802	Negotiation and Settlements Seminar	2 or 3
LAW 989	Master's Thesis	6
LAW 991	Directed Research, Graduate Level	1-2
Candidates may also be permitted to enroll in other elective courses relevant to water and environmental law not listed above. See the full schedule. Note: Not all electives listed above are offered in every academic year., and some are only offered online.

International Law Track

Required Courses
LAW 600	Public International Law	3
LAW 620	International Environmental Law	3
LAW 621	International Water Resources Law Seminar	3
LAW 699M	Legal English (For Foreign-Trained Students Only)	1
LAW 980	LLM Legal Research, Writing and Analysis	2

Electives
LAW 217	Leadership in Organizations for Graduate Students	1
LAW 230	Water Resources Law	2-3
LAW 235	Environmental Practice	3
LAW 507	Environmental Law	3
LAW 509	Special Topics in Environmental Law	2 or 3
LAW 510	Natural Resources Law	3
LAW 511	Climate Change Law & Policy	2
LAW 526	Mediation	2-3
LAW 528	Online Dispute Resolution	1
LAW 583	Water & Environmental Justice	3
LAW 608	International and Foreign Legal Research	1-2
LAW 621	International Water Resources Law Seminar	3
LAW 631	International Negotiations	2
LAW 635	Transnational Litigation	3
LAW 688	Internship	12
LAW 690	Special Topics- International	1-3
LAW 694	International Dispute Resolution	1
LAW 699	Special Topics (Ocean and Coastal Law)	1-4
LAW 802	Negotiation and Settlements Seminar	2 or 3
LAW 989	Master's Thesis	6
LAW 991	Directed Research, Graduate Level	1-2
Candidates may also be permitted to enroll in other elective courses relevant to water and environmental law not listed above. See the full schedule. Note: Not all electives listed above are offered in every academic year., and some are only offered online.

Fast Track J.D./LL.M. in Water and Environmental Law

The Fast Track J.D./LL.M. in Water and Environmental Law affords students the opportunity to earn both degrees on an accelerated timeline. Fast Track students may apply up to 12 credits of J.D. coursework towards their LL.M. degree in Water and Environmental Law, meaning the LL.M. degree may be completed in just one additional semester of full-time study or a year of part-time study. Fast track students may specialize in either U.S. or international water law.

Program Requirements

• 24 units of Water and Environmental Law study, up to 12 units of which are completed as part of the J.D. degree
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.33 on a 4.33 scale

Courses Include

LAW 125	Property	2-4
LAW 209	Local Agency Practice	2
LAW 230	Water Resources Law	2-3
LAW 235	Environmental Practice	3
LAW 500	Administrative Law	3
LAW 502	The Executive Branch and the Administrative State	3
LAW 505	Legislatures and Lawmaking	3
LAW 507	Environmental Law	3
LAW 509	Special Topics in Environmental Law	2 or 3
LAW 510	Natural Resources Law	3
LAW 511	Climate Change Law & Policy	2
LAW 517	Statutes and Regulations	3
LAW 583	Water & Environmental Justice	3
LAW 600	Public International Law	3
LAW 621	International Water Resources Law Seminar	2-3
LAW 620	International Environmental Law	3
LAW 699X	Negotiations	3
LAW 954	Externship	3-4
LAW 957	Externship - Seminar	0
LAW 989	Master's Thesis	6
LAW 991	Directed Research, Graduate Level	1-3

Questions?

Contact the Graduate & International Programs Office
Email | 916.739.7353 or 916.739.7019

Learning Outcomes

1.  Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand key concepts in U.S. substantive law, legal theory, and procedure.

2.  Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to perform competent legal analysis, reasoning, and problem solving.

3.  Demonstrate the ability to strategize, develop, and conduct efficient legal research in U.S. law.

4.  Demonstrate the ability to identify and understand foundational concepts in international law and to perform international legal research.

5.  Demonstrate communication skills, including effective listening and critical reading, writing in objective and persuasive styles, and oral advocacy and other oral communications.

6.  Demonstrate professional judgment, ethics, and professionalism through conduct consistent with the legal profession's values, standards, and discipline.

7.  Demonstrate the ability to understand, collaborate, and engage with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences in a variety of legal settings and contexts. 

8.  Demonstrate understanding of the legal profession's commitment to access to justice.

9.  Demonstrate understanding of career options and steps toward defining and achieving career goals in light of personal values.