LLM in International Commercial Arbitration
Build Expertise in International Commercial Arbitration
International commercial arbitration has become one of the leading methods for resolving business disputes between parties operating in different countries. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law's Master of Laws (LLM) in International Commercial Arbitration, offered through the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, prepares attorneys and law graduates to navigate complex legal issues involving arbitration, international business law, and commercial transactions. Through a rigorous curriculum and instruction from internationally recognized faculty, students develop the knowledge and practical skills to represent clients in an evolving global marketplace.
LLM in International Commercial Arbitration Program Benefits
A Premier Program in International Commercial Arbitration
Prepare for a career in international commercial arbitration through the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, home to one of the nation's most respected dispute resolution programs. Students learn from internationally recognized scholars and practitioners while developing the legal knowledge and practical skills to resolve complex commercial disputes.
Focused on International Business Disputes
Develop specialized expertise in the laws, procedures, and strategies that govern international commercial arbitration. Through advanced coursework in arbitration, international business law, and commercial transactions, students gain a deeper understanding of how legal disputes are resolved between businesses operating across national borders.
Quick Facts
| Format: | In-Person |
| Enrollment Options: | Full-Time |
| Length: | 12 - 24 Months |
| Start Term: | Fall |
| Units: | 24 |
| Location: | Malibu, CA |
Global Legal Perspective
Develop expertise in international commercial arbitration, arbitration agreements, international business law, and the enforcement of arbitral awards.
Specialized Arbitration Curriculum
Build expertise in international commercial arbitration through advanced coursework in international business law, arbitration agreements, arbitral awards, and cross-border dispute resolution.
Internationally Recognized Faculty
Learn from distinguished scholars and practitioners whose experience in international arbitration and dispute resolution brings real-world insight into every course.
Diverse Professional Community
Study alongside attorneys and law graduates from around the world while building lasting professional relationships across legal systems and cultures.
Immersive Learning Experience
Complete the program through a full-time, in-person curriculum that encourages collaboration, discussion, and close engagement with faculty and classmates.
Career Preparation for International Practice
Build the legal knowledge and analytical skills to advise clients, resolve commercial disputes, and navigate international legal matters with confidence.
Key Statistics
Top Choice
16 of the Last 22 Years (USNWR).
Customize the LLM curriculum by selecting over 50+ electives and courses.
Malibu campus consistently ranked among the most beautiful places to study.
Student: Faculty ratio for small classes and meaningful interaction.
Top-ranked University for faculty accessibility to students (Princeton Review).
of applicants are considered for scholarships. Full scholarships available for eligible veterans.
Months to complete the full-time in-person program at the Malibu campus.
Study and earn your LLM in ICA at the world-renown Straus Institute.
Take the Next Step
Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's LLM in International Commercial Law and Arbitration program.
Get In Touch
Fill out the Request Information form to learn about the opportunities that await you and get in contact with a recruiter.
Attend an Info Session
Join us to get an in-depth look into Caruso Law, our distinct program offerings and our admissions process, while engaging in Q&A.
Start Your Application
Accepted on a rolling basis, applications need to be submitted prior to the intended start date and up to one year in advance.
Why Pepperdine
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law has experienced remarkable growth and distinction among American law schools, marked by rising national recognition and a strong commitment to excellence. As part of a Christ-centered university, we combine rigorous legal training with enduring values that shape both professional preparation and personal formation.
Our community reflects a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, united by a shared
commitment to academic rigor, character, and purpose. Here, students are challenged
and supported to grow beyond what they thought possible and to pursue lives of meaning,
leadership, and service.
Beautiful Malibu, CA Campus
Flexible Course Schedules
Small Class Sizes
7:1 Student:Faculty
Accepts GRE for Admissions
Global Alumni Network
Admission and Tuition
Application Requirements
Applicants for admission to the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law's Master of Laws program must have completed the first degree of law required for law practice or law teaching in the country in which law studies were pursued.
U.S. applicants must have an ABA-accredited JD degree. In exceptional cases, U.S. applicants with non-ABA-accredited law degrees may be considered.
Applications for the LLM program can be submitted online through the Law School Admission Council's LLM Credential Assembly Service, or directly to Pepperdine.
All applicants are required to submit:
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- Video interview
Tuition
Scholarships
Partial scholarships are considered at the point of application, without any additional documentation. Financial Aid options are available for those who qualify.
Learn more about LLM student scholarships
Information Sessions
Let Us Show You Around
The Caruso School of Law is perched atop the iconic Pepperdine University Malibu, California campus. Let us take you on a tour through the entire law school, from the classrooms to the on-campus housing and show you all of the people and resources available to equip you with all you need to succeed in your legal education.
See Dispute Resolution Differently from Malibu
Housed on the award-winning Malibu campus, the expansive University sits on 830 acres and overlooks the Pacific Ocean, with nearly every spot on campus featuring stunning and breathtaking views of the beaches.
Expand Your Career Paths
The LLM in International Commercial Arbitration prepares attorneys to navigate complex international business disputes through specialized study in arbitration and international business law. Graduates develop the knowledge to pursue opportunities with multinational corporations, international law firms, arbitration institutions, government agencies, and organizations engaged in cross-border commerce and international dispute resolution.
Distinguished Faculty
Faculty are accomplished legal scholars and dispute resolution experts committed to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in our LLM in International Commerical Arbitration program. Our faculty empower students with the practical training and ethical judgment needed to meet the complex challenges they may encounter while settling disputes and solving conflicts.
Student Experience for a Lifetime of Success
Explore exciting opportunities and engage the community through institutes, student organizations, extracurriculars, and research opportunities. Direct access to faculty and proximity to greater Los Angeles add to the robust experience.
International Student Experience
Build community and lifelong relationships with peers and colleagues through a cohort model and optional residential experience. The Pepperdine community extends beyond the LLM in International Commercial Arbitration program to the larger CSOL, Straus Institute, and Pepperdine family.
A dedicated enrollment services officer will make your admissions process easy and comfortable with experience in supporting international students. Dedicated support for international students is provided through the Office of International Student Services (OISS). We offer opportunities to participate in university social, sporting, cultural, and spiritual events. Our program is designed to facilitate peer support and lifelong relationships with colleagues.
Top-Ranked and Top Choice
#1 More students have chosen our MDR program than any other institution in the US (National Center for Education Statistics)
#1 for Dispute Resolution in the country 16 times the last 22 years (USNWR)
#1 Malibu Campus Consistently Ranked Among the Most Beautiful Places to Study
#1 Ranked Faculty for Accessibility to Students (The Princeton Review)
#8 Ranked for Practical Training (preLaw Magazine)
#45 Best Law Schools (USNWR)
#29 Best Law Schools (The Princeton Review)
A Premier Faith-Based School
Pepperdine has always had a singular mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in Christian faith and values.
As one of the few LLM in International Commercial Arbitration programs based at a Christian university, we incorporate a unique approach to human, moral, and ethical dimensions of dispute resolution.
We empower students from all faith backgrounds to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives.
Testimonial
My education at Straus gave me the necessary skills for negotiating with opposing counsel and reaching a cost-effective solution for clients. I developed legal research and writing skills, negotiation skills, strategic skills, and knowledge of US law, international arbitration and commercial law. I was able to learn the common law system of the US through my courses at Pepperdine and then pass the Bar Exam.
LLM '19
Accreditations and Recognitions
Krestina Torossian
Senior Manager, Recruitment and Admissions
Email
310.506.4314
Take the Next Step
Learn more about Pepperdine's LLM in International Commerical Arbitration