Cecily Zamora
There is no direct route to law school after graduating from a Service Academy, including the Air Force Academy. However, cadets at the Air Force Academy can major in Legal Studies, which provides an enhanced knowledge of the law and develops critical thinking and communication skills. Alternatively, active-duty service members interested in joining the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC) may be eligible for the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which covers the cost of law school. Under FLEP, selected service members continue to serve as active-duty officers and must attend Officer Training School (OTS) before law school. Additionally, ROTC programs offer a path to law school for those seeking to become lawyers in the Air Force.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal studies at the Air Force Academy | Cadets can major in Legal Studies to build expertise in the study of law and its role and function in American society and the international community |
| Law school after the Air Force Academy | There is no direct route to going to law school after graduating from the Air Force Academy; a better option is to attend an ROTC program and go straight to law school upon graduation |
| Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC) | Active duty service members interested in joining the AFJAGC may be eligible for the Air Force to cover the cost of law school using the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) |
| FLEP requirements | Candidates must be currently serving on extended active duty for at least two but not more than six years, be in the pay grade of O-3 or below, have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, and apply to an American Bar Association-approved law school |
| Officer Training School (OTS) | Enlisted selectees for FLEP must attend OTS, an eight-week training course to prepare candidates for the transition to military life, before starting law school |
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What You'll Learn
Legal Studies Major
At the United States Air Force Academy, cadets who choose the Legal Studies major will develop expertise in the study of law and its role and function in American society and the international community. Cadets will also develop critical thinking skills that will enable them to identify, understand, and resolve complex legal issues they may encounter after graduation. The Legal Studies major is not a pre-law major but is designed to provide cadets with enhanced knowledge of the law and a respect for the rule of law. In addition to the required academic core, legal studies cadets must complete 14 courses, five of which must be upper-level courses offered by the Department of Law. Cadets can also take advantage of hands-on, real-world research opportunities to prepare for their future careers.
While the Legal Studies major at the Air Force Academy does not provide a direct route to law school, it can help increase one's chances of gaining admission to law school. Additionally, the Air Force offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty. Through FLEP, service members can have the cost of tuition, fees, and books covered by the Air Force while continuing to serve as active-duty officers. However, application fees and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) fees are the applicant's responsibility. To be eligible for FLEP, service members must meet certain requirements, including serving on extended active duty for at least two years and having graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.
Those interested in pursuing a legal career in the Air Force should also be aware of the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) and the Direct Appointment Program (DAP). The JAGC is a potential career path for those who have completed law school and obtained their legal license. The DAP allows individuals to apply during their third year of law school and enter active duty upon passing the bar and receiving their license. Additionally, ROTC programs offer another route to law school for those interested in the Air Force.
In conclusion, while the Legal Studies major at the Air Force Academy does not directly lead to a law degree, it provides a strong foundation in legal studies and critical thinking skills. Those seeking to become lawyers in the Air Force can explore various pathways, including the FLEP, JAGC, DAP, and ROTC programs, each with its own unique requirements and opportunities.
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Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP)
The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) is a unique opportunity offered by the Air Force for active-duty service members interested in joining the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC or JAG). The program covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for law school. However, application and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) fees are the applicant's responsibility.
To be eligible for FLEP, service members must be currently serving on extended active duty for at least two but not more than six years (including enlisted time) by the time law school begins. They must also be in the pay grade of O-3 or below, with less than three years' time in grade as an O-3 (for officer applicants only). Additionally, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Enlisted members selected for FLEP must attend Officer Training School (OTS) before starting law school.
During their time in the program, FLEP students are required to perform legal internships with the AFJAGC during their summer breaks after their first and second years of law school. Upon completion of law school, officers are responsible for the fees and expenses of bar review courses and bar examinations. They must obtain a legal license as soon as possible and take the first scheduled bar examination following graduation.
For officers, the active duty service commitment (ADSC) for FLEP is six years, while for enlisted members, it is 10 years. This commitment begins after law school and includes any time accrued during legal training. Officers who are dropped from the program incur an active duty service commitment of one year for each year of participation.
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Officer Training School (OTS)
The United States Air Force Academy offers a Legal Studies major for cadets. This major is not a "pre-law" major, but instead, it provides cadets with enhanced knowledge of the law and develops critical thinking and clear communication skills. Cadets who choose this major will also complete internships with the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC) during their summer breaks.
Now, moving on to the Officer Training School (OTS):
OTS is also an option for enlisted members who want to pursue law school through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). FLEP is a unique opportunity for enlisted personnel to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates. Enlisted members selected for FLEP must attend OTS before going to law school. They are also required to perform legal internships with the AFJAGC during their summer breaks after their first and second years of law school.
Upon completion of law school, officers must take on the fees and expenses of bar review courses and bar examinations. They must obtain a legal license as soon as possible and take the first scheduled bar examination following their graduation from law school.
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$53 $65
Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC)
While there is no direct route to attending law school straight after graduating from a Service Academy like the Air Force Academy, you can major in Legal Studies. This major will help you build expertise in the study of law and its role and function in American society and the international community. Cadets will also develop critical thinking skills that will enable them to identify, understand, and resolve complex legal issues they may encounter after graduation.
If you are interested in joining the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC), you can apply to an American Bar Association-approved law school through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). The FLEP is available to active-duty service members and covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books. However, application fees and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) fees are the applicant's responsibility. Enlisted members selected for the FLEP must attend Officer Training School (OTS) before starting law school and are required to perform legal internships with the AFJAGC during their summer breaks after their first and second years of law school.
Upon completion of law school, officers are responsible for the fees and expenses of bar review courses and bar examinations. They must take the first scheduled bar examination following graduation and accrue an active duty service commitment of two years for each academic year of legal training.
The AFJAGC also offers a Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) as a special incentive for highly qualified officers serving in the corps who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and leadership experience. Under this program, the Air Force will repay up to $65,000 of a service member's qualifying student debt, subject to funding approval.
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ROTC program
While there is no direct route to law school after graduating from a Service Academy, you can attend an ROTC program and go straight to law school upon graduation. The Air Force Academy offers a Legal Studies major, which is not a "pre-law" major, but it does provide cadets with enhanced knowledge of the law and develops critical thinking and clear communication skills. Cadets will also develop expertise in the study of law and its role and function in American society and the international community.
The Air Force Academy also offers ROTC scholarships, with a reported 90% success rate with clients. Cadets who choose the Legal Studies major will need to complete 14 courses in addition to the required academic core, with five of these being upper-level courses offered by the Department of Law.
The Air Force's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) is another option for those interested in becoming judge advocates. Through FLEP, active-duty service members can have the cost of tuition, fees, and books covered by the Air Force while continuing to serve as active-duty officers. Enlisted members selected for FLEP must attend Officer Training School (OTS) before starting law school. FLEP students are required to perform legal internships with the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC) during their summer breaks after their first and second years of law school.
For officers, the active-duty service commitment (ADSC) for FLEP is six years, while for enlisted members, it is 10 years. Upon completion of law school, officers are responsible for the fees and expenses of bar review courses and bar examinations. They must obtain a legal license as soon as possible and take the first scheduled bar examination after graduating from law school.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no direct route to going straight to law school after graduating from a Service Academy. Cadets at the Air Force Academy can, however, major in Legal Studies, which will provide them with an enhanced knowledge of the law and develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
You can apply to the Air Force's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to attend law school through the Air Force's funding. To be eligible, you must be serving on extended active duty for at least two but not more than six years and be in the pay grade of O-3 or below.
The FLEP is a program offered by the Air Force that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for service members interested in joining the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC). Service members continue to receive their full pay and allowances while attending law school.
The selection board evaluates each candidate holistically, considering factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, motivation for service, and leadership traits.
