Ways To Participate
Classes are offered in a number of ways making our program one of the most flexible of its kind.
On-Campus Candidates
Candidates who join us in Fayetteville attend classes in a dedicated LL.M. classroom attending classes for 2-4 hours a day four days a week.
Distance Candidates
We offer three different kinds of distance classes. Students are able to video-conference into live class sessions, participating fully in real time. Classes are recorded and available if students have to miss a class. In addition, we have online classes that allow students to progress through readings, watch videos, and listen to recorded lectures on their own time. And, we offer hybrid classes that combine the online class with periodic discussion sessions by video-conference.
Two Semesters Full-Time
Only 24 credits are needed for the LL.M. degree. Full-time candidates can complete their study in two semesters, taking 12 credits each term.
Part-Time
Part-time candidates may take as many or as few credits as they like (per semester) and have 4 years to complete the program.
Note: Full-time enrollment for University purposes is defined as 9 credits per term. Students who wish to use financial aid to fund their studies must maintain a minimum of 5 credits each term. Information on enrollment guidelines may be found on the Graduate School website.
Structure of Classes
Each semester we offer a mix of classes in a variety of formats.
Traditional Courses
Traditional Courses meet each week for 14 weeks in the Fall or Spring semester. These are regular synchronous classes that meet 50 minutes per week per credit. For example, a 2-credit course will meet 100 minutes per week, either once a week (100 minute class session) or twice a week (2 50-minute sessions). Distance students can video-conference into these classes and participate just as though they were present in the classroom. Recordings are available for those who miss class, with an associated journal entry required.
Half-Semester Courses
Half-Semester Courses meet each week for 7 weeks in the Fall or Spring semester. These are regular synchronous classes that meet 100 minutes per week per credit, twice as much as a full semester class because the course is condensed into just half of the semester. Distance students can video-conference into these classes and participate just as though they were present in the classroom. Recordings are available for those who miss class, with an associated journal entry required.
Condensed Courses
Condensed Courses bring experts in a specialized area of food and agricultural law to Fayetteville to teach an intense and focused 1-credit class. These condensed courses typically provide 12-14 hours of synchronous instruction concentrated into a 2-4 day period. Our regular classes are cancelled to allow students to focus exclusively on their condensed course. Online work helps students to prepare for the class and written exercises or projects are completed afterwards. Distance students can choose to join us in Fayetteville for these classes or video-conference from their home or office.
Independent Study Courses
Guided Independent Study Courses are courses that have been developed by one of our professors with required readings and organized lesson plans. There may be recorded lectures that are also available. While the course may be offered as an enrolled class during some semesters, there may be insufficient student interest for the class in other semesters. This option allows students to proceed through the course on their own, with questions, assignments and a final exam handled by a professor in the LL.M. Program. The Independent Study in Agricultural and Food Law typically taken for 1 credit allows the student to explore a new area and produce either a practical project (such as a practice guide or public presentation) or a publishable article while working independently. A faculty sponsor is assigned and available to provide assistance as needed.
Experiential Learning
LL.M. candidates have the opportunity to earn Practicum credits, working with an agency, organization, or law firm under the guidance of an attorney mentor and an LL.M. faculty member. Under a special Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA Office of General Counsel, our students can apply to work remotely with attorneys at the USDA for practicum/externship credit.
