If a school reached out to me to design a General LLM, I’d probably start by asking why. Discount rates are probably steeper than you thought, many students are going to expect to pass bars and secure jobs in the U.S., and you will have to really be intentional about how you integrate “Non-J.D.s” into your existing JD operation. A sizeable number of ABA-accredited schools report 0 Non-J.D. students. If they do decide to enter the Non-JD market, I expect them to be MSLs, Online LLMs, and/or non-degree programs.

“Josh, stop telling us the reasons against it. We’re launching one so tell us how to structure it.”

Okay. Some caveats:

• The 2-Year A.J.D. market has really negated the benefits of the 3-semester and 2-year LLM programs for me. For one extra semester or the same amount of time, I’d rather have a J.D. 7 out of 10 times. The main exceptions: (1) A Tax LL.M. with a semester addition for a CPT summer + bar exam eligibility at a good discount rate; and (2) those needing to enhance their legal English first to be competitive for their post-LL.M. goals.
• Determine the revenue model. What do you think your discount rate should be? What type of students do you hope to attract? How large do you need the class to be to meet your goals? And then when we combine cost, credentials, and size, do you have a realistic path?
• What is the #1 thing you hope to achieve with this new General LL.M. program? An additional revenue stream? Broader internationalization? A way to create programming for students from your partner schools abroad?

So here’s how I’d design one:

• Start in Summer: Penn Carey is my favorite model for summer integration. Their Pre-Term program does two things I love: more time to acclimate and knocks out two of the intro courses/bar-required subjects. This helps your LL.M.s have time to adjust to the new legal education system, moving abroad, and adjusting to the United States. It also opens up more flexibility during the semesters without a need to schedule around those courses. Students may even feel more confident at orientation than many 1Ls new to law school, having already adjusted. It’s more expensive, but the value of the extra month is worth it to me.
• Have a Spring CPT Requirement. Stand out as an LL.M. program that has a CPT requirement so all LL.M.s have the ability to obtain work experience in the United States. There are different ways to structure this, but it’s a way to differentiate your program among so many programs that feel the same. Yes, it’s a headache for the career services office/externship coordinator/alumni office. But we’re building an LL.M. program from scratch, so we need to be innovative.
• Embrace the Bar Exam. LL.M. students want to pass bar exams. Many would have no desire to enroll in a U.S. law school LL.M. program if it didn’t provide a path to a state bar exam. So rather than hide from that fact, embrace it. Most schools that have 0 Non-J.D. students currently also have some form of bar prep/academic success teams. You’ll want someone with expertise on language learning (from the law school or another department) advising on what needs to be done to support students. In addition to your best practices from the J.D. student population. Acknowledge the bar exam all year, bundle a leading bar prep company into the tuition at a discounted rate, and provide structured support. Great bar pass rates that you can highlight will attract students and you’ll have a strong self-reinforcing cycle of student quality. Again, it will cost money. See above.
• Community Vibes. What is your plan to truly integrate the LL.M. students into your community. What signage and messaging will need to change? Are student organizations designed for an LL.M. representative? What organizations/courses/activities/programs/opportunities would be J.D. only once you welcome your LL.M. students? How would you talk about J.D. v. LL.M. within your community? The ABA’s language makes it hard to tell your LL.M. students they are exactly like J.D. students. So how to you acknowledge that fact and create a community that welcomes this difference and turns it into its own unique advantage.