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Washington University in St. Louis Master of Laws Degrees online

Expand your legal education with either of two online Master of Laws (LL.M.) programs at Washington University in St. Louis: an LL.M in Taxation or an LL.M in U.S. Law.

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About the program

  • Comprehensive learning: Gain a deep understanding of local, state, and federal tax law to prepare for careers in corporate taxation, estate planning, and employee benefits.
  • Expert faculty: Study under tax law experts who bring real-world experience and industry knowledge to the classroom.
  • Alumni network: Expand both your education and connect with more than 130,000 alumni in Washington University in St. Louis’ network.

About Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis’s School of Law has been educating learners for more than 150 years. Learners benefit from a richly diverse and talented learning environment, and a globally interconnected legal environment.  Its School of Law was founded in 1867; it is the 12th oldest law school in the nation, and the oldest west of the Mississippi.

There are two rigorous online degrees offered through Washington University School of Law: the LL.M in Taxation and the LL.M in U.S. Law. Both degrees are designed to help attorneys and law school graduates to earn advanced degrees without having to pause their career or leave their job.  Both degrees, as well as the WashULaw’s  Master of Legal Studies program, have obtained acquiescence by the American Bar Association (ABA). Washington University in St. Louis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change and may increase each academic year. Tuition does not include student fees, technology platform licensing, or support services. Learners are also responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to any in-person immersions or residentials.

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Program tracks

The Master of Laws in U.S. Law degree is designed for international lawyers who aim to research and communicate like U.S. lawyers to become a practicing attorney without having to come to the U.S. to pursue a full three-year Juris Doctor. Learners learn common U.S. law tradition; leading contract negotiations with clients based in the U.S.; using databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw; and working on U.S. case law by reading, briefing, and communicating. The Master of Laws in Taxation program, on the other hand, provides learners with an understanding of tax law, with a focus on procedure and technical aspects. Learners also receive the tools they need to adapt to changing legislation and to solve complicated tax problems. Admission requires a Juris Doctorate degree, and the program is designed for lawyers with the goal of gaining specialized tax law skills. For those who have a bachelor’s degree and not a Juris Doctor, Washington University in St. Louis offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation. Learners in the Master of Laws in Taxation: complete 24 credits with one required course and 21 elective course credits in fields of interest, over the course of a year; choose from more than 10 elective courses such as federal tax procedure, accounting for tax attorneys, externship, supervised research, and federal estate and gift taxation; and focus on careers including: tax attorney, financial product advisor, IRS litigator, legal advisor, tax consultant at an accounting firm, and lawyer at the Department of Justice. Learners in the Master of Laws in U.S. Law get to:

  • Earn 24 credits: Complete 24 credits with two required courses and 18 elective course credits in fields of interest.
  • Flexible electives: Learners can choose from more than 20 elective courses such as contracts, negotiation, property, criminal law, and cross cultural dispute resolution.
  • Learn efficiently: Complete your studies in one year, rather than having to pursue a three-year Juris Doctorate degree in the U.S.
  • Top fields of employment: Upon graduating, many learners' career paths bring them to focus on the types of law that include: tax, intellectual property, real estate, commercial law, immigration, banking and finance, corporate law, or litigation.
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Admissions

Learners who apply prior to the priority deadline are eligible for an application fee waiver prior to submitting their application by reaching out to the admissions team at admissions@onlinelaw.wustl.edu or by calling (+1) 314-281-5200. Learners pursuing the LL.M. in Taxation need to hold a Juris Doctorate degree. To complete an application for either an online LL.M. in Taxation or an online LL.M. in U.S. Law, you will need to submit:

  • Official transcripts

  • Statement of purpose

  • Résumé or CV

  • Online interview


Immersions and supervised research

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Learners in the Master of Laws in Taxation participate in a three-credit externship during which  they partner with a law firm where they can apply the skills they’ve gained in the classroom by translating them to real-world experience in the tax field.

Learners in this particular program also take part in a supervised research course worth three credits where they meet with instructors to develop a thesis paper on topics that interest them or work with their career goals.

Learners earning a Master of Laws in U.S. Law have the opportunity to take a 1-credit elective course on campus during an optional weekend-long learning experience in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, learners will have the opportunity to network, meet peers and faculty, meet federal and state judges, and observe live court hearings.

They also take part in a supervised research course worth three credits where they meet with instructors to develop a thesis paper on topics that interest them or speak to their career goals.

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