This 100% online program is designed for international lawyers and law graduates seeking U.S. bar eligibility, particularly for the Washington, D.C. and California bar exams. The curriculum includes core legal subjects and offers maximum flexibility for working professionals.

Yes. Cardozo School of Law is an accredited law school by the American Bar Association. This LLM program at Cardozo is eligible to meet specific bar requirements for D.C. and CA.

Yes. Other state bars may or may not accept the credits of this program. It is up to each candidate to explore other bars and their requirements.

This program is fully offered online, asynchronous and flexible, allowing you to take the classes anytime, anywhere within each 14-week semester. You do not have to travel to New York to be on our campus for classes. 

Yes, this program meets educational requirements for the state of California bar as well as the Washington D.C. bar. Students are not required to meet the requirements for both bars, but if they choose to, they can pursue both bar requirements. Students are responsible for confirming their own eligibility with the appropriate state bar authorities. Please reference the official CA and D.C. bar websites for further clarification: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/ and https://www.dcbar.org/

No. You can live anywhere in the world and still pursue admission to the D.C. bar as per their rules and eligibility requirements listed on their official page. This program will help you meet the educational requirements, and you can take the D.C. or CA bars upon completion of the program. After you are admitted to the D.C. or CA bar(s) you may keep the license anywhere you live in the world. No need to relocate to D.C. or CA.

No, there are no application fees when applying directly at Cardozo: www.cardozo.yu.edu under LLM Online Admissions. If you apply via LSAC they will charge fees which are beyond our control.

For Spring 2026 start - July 15 - Early Bird Deadline (up to 10% scholarship). December 15 - Priority Deadline for Spring Admission; Applications accepted after the deadline as space permits. For Summer 2026 start - May 3rd, 2026.For Fall 2026 - June 15th, 2026. 

Apply directly (free of charge) via the Cardozo portal: https://yu.elluciancrmrecruit.com/ApplyCardozo/.
If you wish to submit your application via the LSAC portal, you can do so directly on their site.
Note that their application fees are beyond our control and must be paid directly to LSAC.

Application Form; Resume/CV;  Personal Statement;  Law School Transcripts; Letter of Recommendation; TOEFL/IELTS score (if applicable).

If you earned academic credentials (e.g., degrees or transcripts) outside the United States, you may need a credential evaluation to translate your qualifications into U.S. equivalents for law school admissions, FAFSA eligibility, or professional licensure (e.g., bar admission). These evaluations ensure your foreign education is properly recognized by Cardozo’s admissions or financial aid office and other institutions. Choosing a reputable evaluation service is key to getting accurate, accepted reports. Below is a list of trusted transcript evaluation companies in the USA, along with tips to select the right one for your needs.

Here are five highly regarded credential evaluation services, all members of NACES or AICE, which are recognized by most U.S. law schools, including Cardozo, and trusted for their reliability, accuracy, and customer service:

- World Education Services (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- The Evaluation Company (TEC)
- Academic and Professional International Evaluations, Inc. (APIE)
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants

Yes, up to 10% of tuition offered to qualified candidates as part of the Dean Merit Scholarship. No need-based scholarships available. The Dean Merit Scholarship is based on performance in previous legal studies as well as any work experience relevant to admission in this program. 

U.S. citizens/Green Card holders may apply for FAFSA-based aid. Others must research private loans independently. 

Tuition is $1,480.77 per credit. The total cost for the standard 24-credit Online LL.M. program is $35,538.48. 

Students planning to sit for the D.C. Bar must complete 26 credits, bringing the total tuition to $38,500.

Visit the LL.M. Online Tuition Information page: https://cardozo.yu.edu/llm-online-tuition

If you applied before the July 15th deadline, and you are seeking to meet Washington D.C. Bar requirements: your total tuition fee for 26 credits will be $38,500 minus 10% of tuition = $34,650. 

At Cardozo School of Law, FAFSA disbursements for federal financial aid (like Stafford and Graduate PLUS Loans) are designed to help you cover tuition & fees for your online legal education. Here’s how the process works:

Disbursement Timing: Before Each Semester

Cardozo disburses financial aid right before the start of each semester (Summer, Fall, and Spring). For example, if you’re enrolled for the full academic year, your annual financial aid award is split evenly across the semesters you’re attending. Funds are first applied to your student account to cover tuition and fees, and any remaining amount (called a refund) is sent to you for living expenses like rent, food, and books, typically within the first few weeks of the semester. To receive your refund faster, enroll in Cardozo’s Direct Deposit for Student Refunds.

Steps to Ensure Timely Disbursement

- File FAFSA Early: Submit your FAFSA by Cardozo’s priority deadline of April 1 for the 2025–2026 academic year (Summer ’25, Fall ’25, Spring ’26). Use Yeshiva University’s school code: 002903. Filing early ensures your aid is processed on time, as institutional aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

- Review Your Student Aid Report (SAR): After submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive an SAR via email. Check it for errors and make corrections promptly, as Cardozo receives an electronic copy to determine your aid eligibility.

- Complete Requirements: You may need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov for federal loans. Cardozo’s Office of Student Finance (OSF) may also request additional documents (e.g., tax forms or verification) to finalize your aid package.

- Check Your Status: Newly admitted students receive a financial aid offer email from OSF. Continuing students can view their aid package on the Banner Self-Service portal via InsideTrack.

Your financial aid can cover Cardozo’s tuition, fees, and living expenses up to the estimated cost of attendance. The financial aid budget is less than the amount received by an “in-person” student, because we are not allowed to include transportation or health insurance, or other similar expense in the financial aid budget, but if a loan is needed to assist with rent, food, books, etc. for attending this online program, these are permissible expenses allowed to be covered by financial aid during your studies.  

First day of classes will begin as follows: 

• For Spring 2026 entry - January 20, 2026
• For Summer 2026 entry - May 18th, 2026
• For Fall 2026 entry - September 8, 2026

Late October, or Early November 2024 

Students interested in meeting Washington DC bar requirements will complete 26 credits; students interested in the California bar exam can graduate with 24 credits. The courses will be offered as follows: 

Spring 2026 

Introduction to Law (1 credit), Civil Procedure (2 credits), Constitutional Law (2 credits), Contracts and Sales (2 credits), and Criminal Law and Procedure (2 credits)

Summer 2026

Real Property (2 credits), Torts (2 credits), Business Associations (2 credits), and Conflict of Laws (2 credits). 

Fall 2026

Evidence (2 credits), Family Law (2 credits), Secured Transactions (2 credits), and Trusts and Estates (2 credits); Professional Responsibility (1 credit for CA bar takers); Legal Writing (1 credit). 

Given that this program is offered in asynchronous modules, you may log in and take your class and the assignments anytime during each week of the semester. 

No, they are not part of the online program. Clinics and externships involve working directly with clients, courts, or legal organizations. This requires in-person communication to build trust, interpret non-verbal cues, and handle sensitive situations—like interviewing a client or appearing in court. These interactions are hard to replicate effectively online, as virtual platforms may limit the depth of engagement and professional nuance needed. Additionally, legal work in clinics and externships often involves confidential documents, court filings, or negotiations that need close supervision by a licensed attorney. In-person settings allow supervisors to observe your work in real time, provide immediate feedback, and ensure ethical standards are met. Online environments that try to maximize flexibility for the students make it impossible to oversee these activities securely and effectively.

The minimum number of credits required for an LLM degree at Cardozo is 24 credits. 

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Associate Dean Val Myteberi at Myteberi@yu.edu or our admission team at: 

Email: llm@yu.edu Phone: 212-790-0857