LL.M. Success Academy
Prepare to Thrive on Your LL.M. Journey
Location & Start Date
Online
Self-PacedProgram Launch:
July 7, 2025
Content Access: Program content available until July 6, 2026
Time Commitment: One-month recommended schedule; 3-4 hours per week
Who Should Participate
This program is ideal for prospective, incoming, or current LL.M. students who want to:
- acquire foundational knowledge of American law and law school teaching methodology
- sharpen their lawyering skills
- prepare for both academic and professional opportunities
LL.M. Success Academy Program Structure
Program Format
The LL.M. Success Academy at UC Berkeley Law is a self-paced online course that includes virtual office hours throughout the program. Students can follow the provided syllabus or choose how to move through the curriculum based on their knowledge and experience. To ensure students can use the LL.M. Success Academy as a resource when starting their LL.M. program, they will have access to the course platform through July 6, 2026.
Program Lectures
The course consists of five required modules and three optional modules. Each module consists of a series of 5- to 15-minute videos presented by leading UC Berkeley Law faculty, instructors, and industry professionals.
Office Hours & Live Sessions (Optional)
Live monthly online sessions provide participants with direct access to course instructors. These interactive opportunities enable learners to ask questions, explore topics in-depth, and engage in meaningful professional dialogue with peers. These sessions will be recorded.
LL.M. Success Academy Core Modules
The following five modules comprise the program’s core content. Participants must complete all of these to earn the Certificate of Completion. A syllabus with an overview of the course pedagogy and a more detailed description of each module will be available soon.
Module 1
Fundamentals of Success in U.S. Law Schools
Taught by UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, this module provides an introduction to the American legal system and law schools, as well as an overview of the legal profession in the United States.
Module 2
Legal Research and Writing Fundamentals
Build essential English legal research and writing skills critical for success in U.S. legal studies and practice.
Module 3
Using Generative AI in Law School
Understand the developments, downsides, and limits of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in many areas of legal practice.
Module 4
Oral Communication and Public Speaking Fundamentals
Enhance your legal presentation skills to communicate confidently in academic and professional settings.
Module 5
Professional Networking Fundamentals
Learn strategies for creating meaningful professional relationships and building your career network.
LL.M. Success Academy Optional Modules
The course includes three additional modules that students can complete to customize their learning experience based on their professional objectives.
Module 1
Legal English Fundamentals
Gain a robust understanding of key U.S. legal terms, concepts, and doctrines.
Module 2
Bar Subject Fundamentals
Prepare to study evidence, civil procedure, and property in law school and learn about these important Bar Exam topics.
Module 3
Corporate Finance Fundamentals
Learn a practical framework for financial information analysis and corporate value creation.
Tuition & Discounts
General Tuition
$1,850
Incoming UC Berkeley Law LL.M. Student
$925
Save 50%
Incoming UC Law School LL.M. Student
Applies to UCLA, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UC Law San Francisco.
$1,575
Save 15%
UC Berkeley Alumni and Government, Nonprofit, and University Employees*
Applies to past participants of paid Berkeley Law Executive Education courses.
$1,575
Save 15%
*For all special rates (i.e. incoming UC Law LL.M. students, UC Berkeley alumni, and government, nonprofit, and university employees), please email [email protected] for instructions to access your tuition category. All special rates are discounted off of the general tuition.
Sallie Mae Financing
If you are interested in financing this course, Sallie Mae provides competitive education loan programs for credit-qualified borrowers. For more information and to apply, visit the Sallie Mae website. If you decide to pursue such financing, please submit your application to Sallie first and then contact us at [email protected]. We will provide additional instructions on completing your registration.
Professional Development Sponsorship
If your employer provides professional development opportunities and funding, we highly recommend asking them to subsidize the cost of tuition for the course. This certificate program is an excellent professional development and networking opportunity, and your employer may be willing to cover some, or all, of the costs. You are welcome to customize this template for your purposes.
Certificate of Completion
Participants who complete all required course elements will receive a certificate of completion from Berkeley Law Executive Education.
LL.M. Success Academy Instructors
Erwin Chemerinsky
Dean of UC Berkeley Law
Marc Anthony Santamaria
Lecturer at UC Berkeley Law
David Wiese
Continuing Lecturer & Associate Director of Summer English Language Studies at UC Berkeley
Andrea Roth
Professor of Law and Barry Tarlow Chancellor’s Chair in Criminal Justice at UC Berkeley Law
Andrew Bradt
Shannon Cecil Turner Professor of Jurisprudence at UC Berkeley Law & Faculty Director at Civil Justice Research Initiative
Talha Syed
Lecturer at UC Berkeley Law
Chris Hoofnagle
Professor of Law in Residence, UC Berkeley Law & Faculty Director, Berkeley Center for Law & Technology
Adam Badawi
Professor at UC Berkeley Law
Kenneth Ayotte
Robert L. Bridges Professor of Law at UC Berkeley Law
Adam Sterling
Associate Dean at Stanford Law School
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LL.M. Success Academy a degree program?
No. Participants can earn a certificate of completion if they finish the course, but not a legal degree or academic credit.
Is the LL.M. Success Academy required for current or incoming LL.M. students at UC Berkeley Law School?
No, it is not a required course. However, it is designed to expose students to strategies and information that can help them thrive in their LL.M. program and set them up for success.
Do I have to be enrolled in, or accepted to, UC Berkeley Law’s LL.M. program to enroll in the LL.M. Success Academy?
No. This course is open to all prospective, incoming, or current LL.M. students at any law school.
Will I have access to UC Berkeley online resources that are available to enrolled degree students?
No. However, if you are an incoming Berkeley Law LL.M. student, you will have access to these resources once you’ve been issued with your CalNet ID.
Still have questions? Let us know how we can help (opens a new window).
Accessibility
For disability accommodation requests and information, please contact us at [email protected]. Please attempt to make your service request with as much advance notice as possible.
