University of Alabama School of Law

The University of Alabama School of Law's Tax Program offers two LL.M. concentrations designed for outstanding candidates who cannot attend classes on campus.

The concentration in Taxation provides an educational opportunity to obtain an advanced degree in tax law that is both broad-based but also in-depth. Students can choose electives allowing for concentrations in either Estate Planning or Business Tax.

The concentration in Business Transactions trains lawyers to serve the needs of clients throughout the life cycle of a business venture. The program offers technical training and skills-based instruction all through live, interactive online technologies.

The expectation is that students enrolled in Alabama's LL.M. programs will remain employed in a position that permits them to apply what they are learning during the program. Many students bring their current and prior experience into the classroom to enrich the learning experience of their fellow students. Second- or third-year law students may also apply.

https://www.law.ua.edu/llmdegrees/

Denny Chimes Built in in 1929, the 115-foot campanile contains a carillon of 25 brass bells that marks the hours and plays concerts, patriotic songs, memorial tributes, the school fight song and the alma mater.

https://www.ua.edu/

The University of Alabama School of Law is a top-tier law school and is consistently ranked among the top public law schools in the country.

https://www.law.ua.edu/

ACCESS TO TOP FACULTY AND PRACTITIONERS
Thanks to the online technology, students can learn from distinguished tax or business law professors and experienced attorneys from across the nation. Faculty members have both academic and practical experiences. They are all acknowledged experts in their areas of expertise and are skilled at facilitating classroom interaction among students.

AN OUTSTANDING PEER GROUP
Working with other students is an important part of any LL.M. program. You will learn as much from the experience and insights of your classmates as you will from the instructors, and you will be expected to contribute to the discussions. You will meet other students at a live online first summer orientation session and at a second summer comprehensive exam session. Students are able to network during and after the two-year program. The live classrooms, chat capability and study rooms all permit you to interact with your peers as you would in an on-campus setting.

https://youtu.be/hFYjfgGM5Go

Candidates for the LL.M. degree must have a law degree and an academic record reflecting an ability to perform graduate level course work. The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications for admission evaluating each candidate based on the likelihood of success in the program. As the primary indicator of success in the program, the committee will consider prior performance in undergraduate and law school. However, the committee will also take into account relevant work experience. The Law School does not require letters of recommendation and interviews for the graduate programs.

An applicant may apply in one of two ways:

1) Apply online
2) Mail in the PDF version of the application
https://www.law.ua.edu/llmdegrees/graduate-admissions/online-application-instructions/

The tuition rate for Fall 2022 is expected to be $1,822 per credit hour. Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students is the same rate. The program requires 24 credit hours. There are no course fees.

Students may qualify for federal financial aid or educational loans from private lenders by registering as at least a part-time student (5 credit hours).

LIVE AND ONLINE FROM YOUR HOME OR WORK
The hallmark of UA Law's LL.M. graduate programs is the use of internet technology to deliver live, interactive classes. Classes meet twice weekly on either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. CT. Students and professors communicate with one another in real time, through microphones and video cameras. The technology also makes it possible for students to chat publicly or privately online or in discussion groups and for a professor to share control of a desktop application (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). Students may participate from any location where they have access to high speed internet. The programs are supported by a dedicated website, which provides supplemental course materials and video and audio podcasts of previously held classes. This innovative use of technology allows students more time to meet professional commitments. It maintains consistency and keeps students in contact with their instructors and peers – essential components of the learning experience.

Alabama's Graduate Tax and Business Programs are different from:

· Other full-time tax or business programs because students continue to work while they study. Students generally have more work experience.

· Most distance learning programs because our instruction is offered through technology that provides live lectures over the internet, through video, audio and chat. Live, real-time lectures permit students to ask questions as they arise and to interact with instructors and classmates exactly as they would in a brick and mortar classroom. The technology allows the instructor to share desktop applications like PowerPoint or Excel with students during class. There is also a white board that instructors and students can use to explain concepts. Other distance learning technologies such as video-streams, podcasts, discussion boards and email are used to enhance the educational experience.

· Other part-time programs because students generally enter as a two-year class and learn together through the course of the program. Students are part of virtual classrooms. Students can form study groups to discuss class subject matter and meet in virtual study rooms to work together throughout the program.

· Other graduate tax and business law programs because we make it easy for students to participate. Classes are offered online from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CT. We use technology such as online book ordering, posted course materials, access to electronic research databases and video/audio streaming to allow students with busy schedules to focus on learning.

We do expect a significant amount of time and effort from each student. Most students dedicate about twenty hours a week to their studies, in addition to time in the classroom. Many report that the experience forces them to become more efficient in time management and that this is indeed an important skill they hone during the program.

The subject matter and workload of the LL.M. in Tax and Business Transactions programs are both challenging. Students have to manage the impact on both their work and personal lives. You can manage the impact on your work by setting clear expectations about your schedule with your supervisor or colleagues and delegating some of your responsibilities. Managing the impact on your personal life often means setting aside blocks of time for individual study and virtual meetings with study groups. Most students find it is possible to maintain an active family life while enrolled in the program.

Each two-year program begins with a live online orientation session held on a Saturday in July or August (students choose one session). During orientation, students learn how to use the relevant technology and become familiar with the program policies and procedures.

At the end of the first year of study, in July, students take comprehensive exam on each of the six required first-year courses. Comps are in addition to the regular course exam which follow each seven-week course and for which students receive a letter grade. Comps are graded in the aggregate on a Pass/Fail basis; students must pass at least four of the six comps in order to pass comps. Pre-Covid comps were administered on campus and therefore required a trip to the Law School. Since Covid, the comprehensive exams have been administered using online proctoring.