Laws

The Widener University Juris Doctor (JD) program is designed to prepare students for successful careers in the legal profession through a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum. Our program offers a solid foundation in core areas of law, including constitutional law, contracts, torts, property, criminal law, and civil procedure, ensuring graduates are well-equipped with the essential legal knowledge and analytical skills needed to excel in various legal settings. Widener University Law School emphasizes experiential learning, providing students with ample opportunities for practical training through clinics, externships, moot court competitions, and simulation courses. These hands-on experiences enable students to apply theoretical principles in real-world contexts, fostering critical thinking, ethical judgment, and effective advocacy skills. The faculty comprises experienced legal scholars and practitioners committed to mentoring students and supporting their academic and professional development. The program also offers specialized track options, allowing students to tailor their education to areas such as Business Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, or Criminal Law, aligning their studies with their career interests. Widener’s strong connections with the legal community and alumni network provide students with valuable networking opportunities, internships, and employment pathways after graduation. Our law school’s mission is to cultivate competent, ethical, and socially responsible attorneys who are prepared to serve diverse client populations and contribute positively to the legal system and society at large. The program is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), ensuring that graduates meet the high standards required for bar admission in many jurisdictions. With flexible class schedules, including full-time and part-time options, Widener University Juris Doctor program caters to students balancing their education with personal and professional commitments. Graduates of our program are well-positioned to succeed in a variety of legal careers, whether in private practice, government agencies, non-profit organizations, or corporate legal departments. Whatever your career aspirations, Widener University Law School offers a challenging, supportive environment to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective and ethical legal professional.

Corporate Law & Finance

With more than one million companies incorporated in Delaware, there is no better place to pursue a master of laws in corporate law and finance than Delaware Law. Our location in Wilmington – often referred to as the “Corporate Capital of America” – gives you a front-row seat to courts and law firms on the leading edge of corporate law.

Offered through our Institute of Delaware Corporate and Business Law, the LLM in corporate law and finance is designed to prepare you for a successful future in today’s fast-paced global marketplace.

The master of laws in corporate law and finance degree is open to U.S. attorneys, as well as foreign-trained attorneys, which brings diversity and opportunity for career growth by establishing relationships with colleagues from around the world.

To earn a LLM in corporate law and finance, students must complete 24 semester hours of coursework at the graduate level, in corporate-related areas like commercial law, business acquisitions, or intellectual property. Graduate courses in corporate law and finance are worth between two and four semester hours of credit. At least 18 of the 24 semester hours must be completed in residence at Delaware Law, although students may complete this residence requirement as either a full-time or part-time student.

In order to qualify for the LLM, students must complete all program requirements within four years from the date of matriculation.

Required courses:

• Business Organizations
• Business Principles
• Federal Business Regulations
• Colloquium or Seminar: Advanced Corporations

Additional required courses for students who have received their legal training abroad:

• LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis
• LLM American Legal System

Elective Courses

Beyond the required courses, LLM students may choose corporate-related upper-level courses listed in the Delaware Law catalog to fulfil the electives requirement. Course offerings and credits per course are subject to change from year to year.

American Legal Studies (on-campus only)

Available only to foreign-educated students who have completed a first degree in law from an academically qualified non-U.S. law school. This concentration can help foreign-trained attorneys prepare for a bar exam and legal practice in the United States. LLM American Legal System and LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis courses are required, as well as Professional Responsibility. Students must also take at least six credits of foundational or bar-tested courses, such as:

• Contracts
• Criminal Law
• Federal Income Tax
• Criminal Procedure I and II
• Federal Civil Procedure
• Property I and II
• Torts
• Administrative Law
• Wills and Trusts
• Evidence
• Constitutional Law

Additional required courses for students who have received their legal training abroad:

• LLM Research, Writing, and Analysis
• LLM American Legal System

Items 1 through 6 are required from all graduate program applicants:

1. Application & Application Fee. A completed application and $60.00 non-refundable application fee, payable to Delaware Law School.
2. Official Transcripts. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Resume. The applicant must submit a resume. There is no page limit.
4. Personal Statement. The applicant is required to submit a 2-page word statement of educational and professional goals, double-spaced, that will serve as both a statement of purpose and a writing sample. The thoughts and words of the statement must be uniquely those of the applicant. With the exception of basic proofreading, no other(s) may assist in the creation of this statement.
5. Letters of Recommendation. The applicant must submit two letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and professional potential. Letters of recommendation must identify you as a graduate program applicant.
6. English Proficiency. For applicants whose first language is not English, current TOEFL or IELTS scores showing sufficient proficiency in the English language is required. Delaware Law requires a minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL, or a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS to be competitive for admission to the program. Applicants must have taken the TOEFL or IELTS within two years of submitting their application.

Exemptions from English Proficiency Testing
International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales. 

Additional Information and Requirements for International applicants

If seeking F-1 immigration status, the international applicant must submit a Financial Documentation form (pdf). Immigration documents required for international students studying full time in the U.S. will not be issued until the student has completed the form.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Tuition and fees are combined with expected living expenses to create a standard cost of attendance. A cost of attendance is also referred to as a budget. A student's financial aid in an academic year may not exceed the cost of attendance. Financial aid includes merit-based aid, loans, outside scholarships, and grants.

LLM and Dual Degree JD Programs will have a COA calculated based on the following components and expected per credit enrollment for fall/spring. Tuition is charged on a per credits basis and is $1,578/credit for JD/LLM classes. Additionally, all international students are required to purchase the University medical insurance which averages $1,720.

The Widener University School of Law offers a comprehensive Juris Doctor (JD) program designed to prepare students for successful legal careers. The curriculum is grounded in rigorous legal theory, practical skills training, and experiential learning opportunities to ensure graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the legal profession. Students have access to a wide range of courses spanning various areas of law, including constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, torts, administrative law, and more specialized fields such as intellectual property, environmental law, and business law. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective legal writing, which are essential skills for practicing attorneys.

Widener Law prioritizes experiential learning, offering clinics, externships, moot court competitions, and simulation courses that enable students to gain real-world experience while still in school. The law school maintains strong relationships with various courts, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, providing students with valuable externship placements that enhance their practical skills and professional networks. The faculty at Widener Law is composed of experienced legal scholars and practitioners dedicated to mentorship and personalized academic support.

Flexible study options are available, including full-time and part-time tracks, allowing students to tailor their legal education to fit their personal and professional commitments. The program also provides various support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and bar exam preparation, to assist students in achieving their career goals. Widener Law is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering a diverse student body and creating an inclusive academic environment.

Graduates of the Widener University Juris Doctor program are well-prepared to take the bar exam, pursue legal practice, or continue their education through graduate studies. The law school's strong alumni network and career services further aid students in securing employment in various legal sectors such as private practice, government service, and corporate law. Overall, Widener Law's comprehensive legal education combines traditional academic rigor with practical experience to produce competent, ethical, and professional lawyers ready to serve their communities and uphold justice.