Earn Your LLM Online: Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution

Yes. The majority of the Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution program is completed online, allowing students to attend classes and complete coursework virtually from anywhere in the world.

However, the program also includes two required in-person weekend residencies on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus. These residencies provide immersive, hands-on training in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration while giving students the opportunity to collaborate directly with faculty and peers from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.

This blended format is designed to provide the flexibility of online learning while incorporating valuable face-to-face experiential training for legal professionals seeking advanced expertise in dispute resolution.

The Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) at are designed for different stages of a legal career and serve distinct professional purposes.

The JD is the foundational law degree in the United States and is typically required to enter the legal profession and qualify for the bar exam. It provides the core legal education needed to begin practicing law.

The LLM, by contrast, is an advanced, optional graduate degree for individuals who already hold a law degree. It is designed to help practicing attorneys deepen their expertise in a focused area—such as dispute resolution—or to support internationally trained lawyers in strengthening their understanding of the U.S. legal system.

Yes. An LLM is widely recognized around the world and has long been a respected credential in the legal profession. 

While a JD provides a broad foundation in law, an LLM allows lawyers to focus deeply on a specific area of practice, something that typically isn’t possible during general legal training.

Earning an LLM signals to employers that a lawyer has developed advanced, specialized knowledge in their chosen field. The curriculum is designed to be highly practice-focused, helping attorneys build real-world skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration rather than purely theoretical knowledge. 

As a result, many graduates go on to build strong, successful careers in dispute resolution across law firms, corporations, government, and international organizations.

An LLM in Dispute Resolution can strengthen your professional credentials by demonstrating advanced knowledge in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution. 

While earning an LLM does not guarantee a specific salary increase, the specialized knowledge and skills developed through the program may support career advancement and prepare graduates for leadership or specialized roles in legal practice, business, government, and alternative dispute resolution. 

Actual compensation varies based on factors such as experience, employer, geographic location, and job responsibilities. Graduates may pursue roles such as corporate counsel, compliance leader, management consultant, dispute resolution practitioner, or academic, where expertise in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration is highly valued.

Admission to the Online Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution requires applicants to hold the first law degree necessary to practice or teach law in their country of origin. U.S. applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school, while applicants with a non-ABA-accredited law degree may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

International applicants are required to submit evaluated academic transcripts along with proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS (or equivalent approved assessments). GRE and GMAT scores are not required for admission.

As part of the admissions process, select applicants may be invited to complete a virtual interview conducted via secure video conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. 

Where required, these interviews are used to assess academic preparedness, professional experience, and alignment with the program’s focus on dispute resolution practice. International applicants, when selected, will complete interviews fully online, with no in-person attendance required.

The Online LLM in Dispute Resolution offers three start dates each year—in January, May, and September—giving you flexibility in when you begin your studies. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis within three main windows: Early Decision, Priority, and Final Deadline, so you can apply when the timing works best for you.

If you’re an international applicant, it’s especially important to plan ahead. Non-citizens and permanent residents must allow extra time for required documentation and processing, including submitting the Intent to Enroll form and International Student Data (ISD) form well before the program starts (typically 2–3 months in advance). 

For this reason, applying during the Early or Priority rounds is strongly recommended to ensure a smooth onboarding process.

Tuition for the Online LLM in Dispute Resolution is charged per unit, and rates are reviewed annually. 

While students are responsible for financing their studies, there are several ways to help make the program more accessible, including scholarships from professional organizations, employer tuition assistance programs, and federal student loans.

In some cases, employees of EdAssist partner organizations may also qualify for reduced tuition benefits. For the most up-to-date information on costs and fees, please refer to the program’s official Tuition page.

The 24-unit Online LLM in Dispute Resolution is designed with flexibility in mind, so you can choose the pace that works best for you. You can complete the program in as little as 12 months on a full-time track or extend it to 24 months on a part-time schedule.

This structure is especially helpful for working professionals, allowing you to balance your studies alongside career commitments while still customizing your learning through a range of electives that align with your goals.

In most cases, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) to practice law in the United States. An LLM on its own is not usually enough to qualify for bar admission. Instead, it is designed as an advanced degree for lawyers who already hold a JD or a qualifying law degree from another country.

That said, some U.S. states may allow foreign-trained lawyers with an LLM to sit for the bar exam under specific conditions. Because requirements vary by jurisdiction, it’s important to review the rules of the state where you intend to practice.

The Online LLM in Dispute Resolution is built around a 24-unit curriculum that combines foundational training, hands-on experience, and the flexibility to tailor your studies.

At the core of the program are five key courses that develop essential conflict resolution skills: Negotiation Theory and Practice, Mediation Theory and Practice, Arbitration, Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution, and Psychology of Conflict and Communication. These are supported by two immersive in-person residencies that reinforce practical learning and professional engagement.

The remaining 12 units are elective courses, allowing you to shape your specialization based on your professional interests and career goals.

Yes. The program includes two required in-person weekend residencies held on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus. These residencies are required for all students in the online LLM program, including international students.

Each residency is worth one academic unit and is designed to bring learning to life through practical simulations, case-based exercises, and direct engagement with faculty and dispute resolution professionals from around the world.

Students are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodations for the residency weekends. Expenses such as airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, and any necessary visa or travel documentation are separate from tuition and are not included in the published program cost. Additional residency-related details and scheduling information are provided to students in advance of each residency.