June 11, 2025 ‒ The University of Houston Law Center is expanding access to its nationally recognized LL.M. programs by offering online learning opportunities
Synchronous digital education, or SDE, allows U.S. lawyers to earn an LL.M. from anywhere in the country, by using cutting-edge video conferencing technology to help them participate in real-time live, interactive classes. While not every course is offered in the SDE format, there is still a wide variety of online classes to choose from.
Garrett L. Gray (J.D.’24), in the federal courtroom in the Northern District of Texas where he works while pursuing an LL.M. at UHLC.
For Garrett Gray, a UHLC alumnus now pursing an LL.M. in International Law, the flexibility has been invaluable. Based in Amarillo, Texas, Gray is completing a two-year federal clerkship in the Northern District of Texas while raising three young children with his wife.
After law school, Gray chose to return to North Texas, where he and his wife grew up. Although he had initially considered an LL.M. during his J.D. studies, he opted instead to accept the clerkship opportunity.
Now, thanks to UHLC’s SDE option, Gray can continue his legal education without putting his career or personal life on hold. “The fact that the law center has created this opportunity for me to pursue the LL.M. at a distance is tremendously rewarding and something I’m extremely grateful for,” he said.
UHLC allows students to choose from a variety of high-ranking concentrations, including health law, ranked ninth in the nation, and intellectual property law, ranked 12th. The SDE format allows students to receive the same competitive education and networking opportunities as their in-person peers. While some classes may require some in-person exams in Houston, most coursework can be completed from the convenience of students’ homes.
“People have busy lives with work, family, and other obligations, and need flexibility,” said Karen Jones, executive director of Global and Graduate Programs at UHLC. “Many of our students live outside of the Houston area, so the commute to campus can be a deterring factor. Having an online LL.M. option allows for flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind.”
Gray with his three children, (L to R) Isaac, Simon, Frances, in front of the Helium Time Columns, a monument in Amarillo, which was known as the "helium capital of the world."
UHLC has worked diligently to build this program for many years. “These efforts started well before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jones. “After things moved back to in-person, we picked up efforts again to ensure an online program that is academically and institutionally compliant and meets the needs of students.”
The result is a program that meets institutional standards as well as delivers a meaningful, flexible experience for students – something Gray has experienced firsthand.
He appreciates the commitment and effort of the UH Law Center’s faculty. “They developed their curriculum and syllabus for in-person engagement, and every one of them has done a tremendous job of adapting and incorporating my participation in class,” he said.
Gray’s journey reflects UH Law’s broader mission: to expand access to quality legal education without compromising academic rigor or personal priorities.
“Whether in-person or SDE, our LL.M. Programs are built to deepen legal understanding and expertise,” Jones said. “As well as expand professional networks and open doors to new career opportunities.”
Applications for the program are now open for fall 2025. Learn more about UHLC’s top-ranked programs or apply today at www.law.uh.edu/llm or llm@uh.edu.
