A JD or first professional degree in law is required to apply.
Earn Your LLM Online: Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution
Become a driving force in solving today’s most pressing conflicts with Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s top-ranked Straus Institute.1
A Premier Program in Dispute Resolution
The online Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution program empowers lawyers around the globe to be a driving force in solving the most pressing conflicts of today. Delivered by Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s top-ranked,3 ABA-accredited Straus Institute, the program prepares attorneys with the specialization they need to become successful mediators between people, organizations, and policymakers.
In addition to gaining a deep knowledge of arbitration and negotiation, students learn the root causes of conflict, both on an individual and global level. In as few as 12 months, students graduate ready to positively effect change and solve disputes in their communities and the world at large.
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Why Earn an LLM in Dispute Resolution Online?
Attorneys who earn an LLM in Dispute Resolution are equipped to solve problems and facilitate peaceful negotiation between parties without having to set foot in a courtroom. These skills are especially beneficial in today’s world, where conflict is common but can often be solved without litigation.
Through in-depth exploration of arbitration, negotiation, and mediation theory and practice, this online LLM degree will help you pursue a career advocating for your clients as you seek to find a middle ground.
On-Campus LLM-DR Program
The LLM in Dispute Resolution degree is also offered by the Straus Institute at Pepperdine Caruso Law’s Malibu campus.
Visit our on-campus site to learn more and apply to the on-campus LLM-DR program. Note that on-campus and online LLM-DR program applications are separate. Access the online LLM-DR application here.
Application and Admissions Process
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution program offers multiple start dates throughout the year.
Students who apply by the priority deadline for their intended cohort will be granted an application fee waiver and receive an earlier decision, allowing them to register for classes sooner. Priority deadline applicants should contact an admissions counselor at 844-707-9208 or email us at admissions@onlinelaw.pepperdine.edu to receive the waiver before submitting an application.
The final deadline for the May 2026 cohort is March 6, 2026.
Application Requirements
US applicants must have a JD degree from an ABA-accredited university, and international applicants must have the first degree in law required for law practice in their country. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law does not require GMAT or GRE scores.
Candidates must submit the following materials to be considered for admission:
- Online application with a fee of $50
- Transcripts
- One letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Video interview
Domestic applicants only: All US applicants must submit their JD class rank or a document from their school indicating they do not issue class ranks.
International applicants only: All international applicants must submit evaluated transcripts and confirmation of their English fluency through a TOEFL or IETLS score. Applicants can request a Skype interview in lieu of submitting a score.
Learn more about application requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
An LLM program requires an investment of time and finances, but many resources exist to help students offset the cost of tuition, such as employer financial assistance, scholarships, and loan programs. Tuition is charged per unit hour for a total of 24 units.
Propel Your Law Career Forward
Sharpen your mediation and negotiation skills with Pepperdine’s online Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution.
Access Your Application
Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.
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LLM Curriculum
Outcomes
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Highly Regarded Curriculum
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online LLM program is one of the first of its kind in the US. The LLM curriculum is taught by the same distinguished faculty who teach our on-campus program, and it examines the legal, psychological, and cultural factors that affect conflict and complex negotiations.
You can complete the 24-unit program on a 12- or 24-month track, and you’ll have the flexibility to tailor your learning experience with an array of electives.
Required Courses
The 10 units of required courses equip you with the foundation you need to be an effective negotiator. Course topics include negotiation theory and practice, cross-cultural conflict and dispute resolution, and the psychology of conflict communication.
• Negotiation theory and practice
• Cross-cultural conflict and dispute resolution
• Psychology of conflict communication
Elective Courses
The 12 units of elective courses allow you to customize your learning based on your professional goals as an attorney. Course topics include divorce and family mediation, environmental and public policy dispute resolution, and conflict and systems design for corporations and organizations.
• Divorce and family mediation
• Environmental and public policy dispute resolution
• Conflict and systems design for corporations and organizations
In-Person Residencies
As part of the program, you will join your classmates and Pepperdine faculty on campus during two weekend residencies. In these immersive learning experiences, worth 1 unit each, you will engage in hands-on learning while also networking with dispute resolution experts from around the globe.
Learn from Leading Lawyers
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law faculty are distinguished legal scholars and lawyers committed to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in our online LLM program. Our faculty mentor students one-on-one, and empower them with the real-world practical training they need to meet the complex challenges they may encounter as they solve major disputes.
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Admissions Process
LLM Curriculum
Outcomes
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Learning Outcomes for the Online LLM
Students will graduate having mastered dispute resolution theory, and will know how to apply it in real-world situations to solve the conflicts of today.
Learning outcomes of the program include:
- Knowledge and understanding of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration theory and practice.
- Proficiency in critical reasoning and strategic dispute resolution analysis.
- In-depth knowledge of alternative dispute resolution methods.
- A deep understanding of the psychology of conflict.
- The fundamentals of cross-cultural conflict and dispute resolution.
- An understanding of dispute resolution as it relates to public policy.
- Hands-on experience applying theories to real-world practice through mock trials and immersive experiences.
Career Paths in Dispute Resolution
Lawyers who pursue our online LLM in Dispute Resolution gain a competitive edge in their field and can further focus their law careers in arbitration, negotiation, and mediation.
Upon completing the program, attorneys may work:
- Solving disputes for clients using alternative dispute resolution methods.
- Consulting for organizations, helping to solve major disputes within their company.
- Helping families mediate and find a solution that works for both parties during a divorce.
- Aiding government agencies to help find a middle ground and push policy forward.
- Investigating maladministration complaints made on public authorities, hospitals, prisons, or universities, as an ombudsman.
Prepare to Solve Today’s Most Pressing Conflicts
Learn more about Pepperdine’s online Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution today.
Access Your Application
Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.
FAQs About Pepperdine’s Online LLM Degree
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Yes, in addition to its on-ground LLM programs, Pepperdine Law offers an online LLM in Dispute Resolution. This program is both flexible and rigorous, specifically tailored for international attorneys, government officials, corporate counsel, and recent JD graduates seeking to specialize in dispute resolution.
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The LLM and JD are distinct degrees with different professional objectives. The JD (Juris Doctor) is the foundational professional doctorate required for legal practice in the U.S. In contrast, the LLM (Master of Laws) is an advanced, optional postgraduate degree allowing lawyers to specialize in a niche field or enabling foreign-trained lawyers to study the U.S. legal system.
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The LLM is internationally recognized. For decades, Universities all over the world have conferred LLMs, and therefore they are a well-understood credential in the legal professions globally. J.D.s involve only a general course of study. LLMs allow a lawyer to pursue a speciality that he or she could not develop during basic JD studies. When earned, LLM’s signify to an employer that the holder has acquired a particular depth-of-knowledge. In the Straus program, the subject matter taught is designed to add to the candidate’s practice-readiness, as opposed to being largely theoretical. Many holders of a Straus LLM have enjoyed very successful careers involving dispute resolution
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Salary potential for LLM holders is substantial, as the degree signals advanced expertise in a specific legal sector. Although compensation varies by industry, the LLM is designed to elevate earning power beyond the baseline for general practitioners. Graduates often pursue high-earning roles as corporate counsel, management consultants, compliance experts, or within academia.
For context, the average salary for a general lawyer in the United States, according to the ERI Economic Research Institute, is approximately $169,377 per year with a range between $114,668 and $207,656. -
Admission to the Online LLM in Dispute Resolution requires applicants to hold the primary law degree necessary to practice or teach law in their country of origin. U.S. applicants must possess a JD from an ABA-accredited university (U.S. applicants with a non-ABA-accredited law degree may be considered). Although the GRE or GMAT are not required, international candidates must submit evaluated transcripts and English proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS).
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The Online LLM program admits new students three times per year for terms beginning in January, May, and September. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis within three distinct submission windows for each cohort:
– Early Decision Deadline
– Priority Deadline
– Final Deadline
Note for International Applicants: Non-citizens and permanent residents must adhere to strict timelines to facilitate visa processing. These candidates are required to submit their Intent to Enroll form and International Student Data (ISD) form well in advance of the term start date (typically 2–3 months prior). We strongly recommend international applicants apply during the Early or Priority cycles to ensure sufficient time for these requirements. -
Tuition is assessed on a per-unit basis and is subject to annual review. Although students are responsible for funding their education, various financial resources may be available, including scholarships funded by professional organizations, employer tuition assistance, and federal student loans. Additionally, employees of EdAssist partner organizations may be eligible for reduced tuition rates. For the most current schedule of tuition and fees, please consult the program’s official Tuition page.
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The 24-unit program is designed for flexibility, offering an accelerated 12-month full-time track or a 24-month part-time track. This structure allows working professionals to balance their career commitments while tailoring the curriculum with various electives.
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Generally, the Juris Doctor (JD) is the required degree to practice law in the United States. The Master of Laws (LLM) alone is typically not sufficient for licensure; however, it serves as a crucial advanced credential for those who already hold a JD or a foreign law degree. Specific states may permit foreign-educated lawyers with an LLM to sit for the bar exam under limited circumstances.
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The 24-unit curriculum consists of 10 units of core coursework aimed at foundational conflict resolution skills and two residencies. Required courses include Negotiation Theory and Practice, Mediation Theory and Practice, Arbitration, Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution, and Psychology of Conflict and Communication. Students complete the degree with 12 units of elective courses to customize their specialization.
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The program includes two required weekend residencies on the Malibu campus. These immersive experiences (one unit each) are integral to the curriculum, allowing students to engage in hands-on simulations and network with global dispute resolution experts.
Pepperdine University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Pepperdine University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
1 Best Dispute Resolution Program. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved in August 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
2 Best Dispute Resolution Program. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved in August 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
3 Best Dispute Resolution Program. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved in August 2024. arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference