Northeastern University School of Law’s online Master of Laws (LLM) program offers an optional International Business track designed for domestic attorneys and internationally-trained lawyers looking to expand their expertise in cross-border trade, corporate transactions and global compliance.
The curriculum is designed to help students engage with the kinds of legal questions that multinational companies, regulatory bodies, and global law firms encounter every day. Whether your goal is to advise on cross-border mergers, navigate foreign investment laws or ensure compliance with trade regulations, this track can help you build the necessary legal foundation.
Potential roles for people pursuing this track include:
- International business lawyer
- Trade lawyer
- Compliance counsel
- In-house legal advisor
- Legal consultant for multinational corporations
- Regulatory policy advisor
Choosing a track is optional. All LLM in international business students receive the same degree regardless of track selection. Explore our online LLM Bar Examination Prep or learn about our curriculum in general.
What Skills Will You Learn in the International Business Track?
- Navigate international commercial transactions, cross-border regulations and trade laws
- Analyze business structures and legal frameworks used in global corporate operations
- Understand regulatory environments tied to securities, mergers and acquisitions and secured transactions
- Advise on international compliance issues with an eye toward risk management and global strategy
- Develop legal reasoning and communication skills essential to multinational legal practice
Get Started Now
Learn more about Northeastern Law’s online Master of Laws program by filling out the form fields to download a free brochure. You can also call us at +1 857.754.3734 to talk with one of our enrollment specialists.
Why Choose Northeastern Law’s Online LLM?
- Industry-informed curriculum: The International Business track draws on the insights of Northeastern’s global legal advisory board to ensure content remains aligned with emerging international business legal standards.
- #1 ranking for practical training: Northeastern University School of Law has earned a #1 ranking for Practical Training from The National Jurist/preLaw, underscoring its commitment to hands-on legal education.
- Tuition scholarships available: All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based tuition scholarships. There’s no separate application process; just apply and be considered.
- Legal immersion experience: You have the option to take part in Northeastern’s Legal Immersion Experience, where you’ll connect with legal and government organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area or Miami.
- Supportive online learning: Our course schedule is asynchronous, with optional live sessions and built-in support systems to help you stay on track.
Curriculum
In addition to the required core curriculum, the International Business track includes the following electives. Please note that not all courses are offered every academic year, and typically four to five courses from this list are available each year:
- International Sales and Commercial Arbitration (3 credits)
- Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)
- Secured Transactions (3 credits)
- Securities Regulation (3 credits)
- International Trade (3 credits)
- International Business Transactions (3 credits)
- Business Organizations (2 credits)*
- International Securities Regulation (2 credits)*
- IP and Technology Law (3 credits)
- Modern Privacy Challenges (3 credits)
- Data Privacy in the 21st Century (3 credits)
*Note: Business Organizations is a prerequisite for International Securities Regulation.
These courses reflect the academic foundation needed for students interested in practicing law across international business environments.
Connect with an enrollment specialist today to learn more about our program and track offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A person considering an LLM in international business may choose to pursue the following roles, provided that they meet other experience- and education-based requirements:
- International business lawyer: A lawyer in this field will work with organizations in different countries to develop legally sound financial transactions that are compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
- Trade lawyer: An international trade lawyer specializes in the regulations that govern trade between two countries. Their work may involve navigating export controls, sanctions, treaties and international laws regarding trade.
- Compliance counsel: A compliance counsel (sometimes referred to as a compliance attorney) understands how international law impacts areas of compliance, whether they may be in human resources, medical regulatory compliance or other areas that impact companies that do business internationally.
- In-house legal advisor: Often referred to as “in-house counsel,” this lawyer works directly for their employer, as opposed to for a separate law firm or private practice.
- Legal consultant for multinational corporations: This consultant is often hired by a corporation to provide an experienced perspective on the laws of the country they want to do business in. They can help clients navigate legal disputes arising from international business law.
- Regulatory policy advisor: These professionals may provide guidance in the crafting of regulatory policy, most often with the federal government. The type of regulation may vary, but a graduate with an LLM in International Business will likely be working on international business regulation.
Program faculty bring years of experience in international law, corporate finance, data privacy, labor law and other fields integral to the International Business track. In addition, the Legal Immersion experience allows students to visit legal and governmental organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, participating in hands-on learning experience with industry leaders.
This program can be completed online in as little as 12 months.
The LLM admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, and applicants are notified as soon as an admission decision has been made. We highly recommend you submit your application and supporting materials as early as possible.
Applicants are encouraged to apply directly to the Northeastern University School of Law LLM program. Northeastern also accepts applications through the Law School Admission Council.*
Here’s what you’ll need to submit with your application:
- Resumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two-page personal statement
- *One letter of recommendation
- *Official transcripts; if applicable, transcripts should be translated into English
- *Score reports for the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT®) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if English is not your first language or your first law degree was not conducted in English.
- The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is not required, but applicants who have taken it should submit a report of their score.
*If you apply through the Law School Admission Council, your LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) report will include your letter of recommendation, transcripts and test scores.
Ready to learn more?
Download our program brochure, and explore our admission, career and FAQ pages.
