Gavin Howe
The United States Air Force Academy offers a legal studies program that provides cadets with an enhanced knowledge of the law and its role in American society and the international community. Cadets are introduced to foundational concepts of law, including constitutional rights, criminal procedure, and the laws of war. However, there is no direct route to law school after graduating from the Academy. Instead, cadets can pursue a master's degree in a specific subject through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) or take advantage of tuition assistance for various graduate programs while on active duty. Additionally, the Air Force offers a Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) and a Graduate Law Program (GLP) that provide opportunities for service members to attend law school and become judge advocates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law degree | Not available at the academy |
| Legal studies | Available |
| Funded Legal Education Program | Available |
| Graduate Law Program | Available through Air Force ROTC |
| Tuition assistance | Available while on active duty |
| Majors and minors | Available |
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What You'll Learn
The US Air Force Academy's Department of Law
The US Air Force Academy also offers a Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) for currently serving active-duty officers. This program allows officers to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates. To be eligible, officers must have served on active duty for at least two but not more than six years, be in the pay grade of O-3 or below, and hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
It is important to note that there is no direct route from the US Air Force Academy to law school. Cadets who wish to pursue a law degree immediately after graduation may consider attending a ROTC program, which offers a more direct path to law school. However, a degree from the US Air Force Academy can still provide a strong foundation for those seeking to apply to law school, and the analytical skills developed through the Department of Law can be beneficial for future legal studies.
The US Air Force Academy also hosts legal conferences, such as the US Space Command's annual legal conference, providing cadets with opportunities to learn from and interact with industry leaders. These conferences showcase the practical application of legal studies and allow cadets to gain valuable insights into the legal field. The Academy's legal studies program aims to prepare cadets for the challenges they may face as future officers, ensuring they have the necessary legal tools and understanding to navigate complex legal considerations in both civilian and military contexts.
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Cadets can attend law school, but no direct route exists
The United States Air Force Academy offers a legal studies program to help cadets develop the analytical skills and expertise in law that they will need as officers. Cadets are introduced to foundational concepts of law, including constitutional rights, criminal procedure, command discretion, and the laws of war. The program is not "prelaw", but it does provide an enhanced knowledge of the law as part of a broad education. Cadets can also attend and present at legal conferences, such as the U.S. Space Command's annual legal conference, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and build their expertise in the legal field.
While the Air Force Academy does not offer a direct route to law school, cadets who wish to pursue a law degree have several options. One option is to apply for the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which allows service members to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates. To be eligible, cadets must be currently serving on extended active duty for at least two years and have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. They must also apply to an American Bar Association-approved law school, which includes taking the LSAT.
Another option is to enroll in the Graduate Law Program (GLP) through the Air Force ROTC. The GLP is a two-year program that guarantees cadets a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon successful completion of the ROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and fulfillment of legal licensing requirements. Cadets interested in medical school can also apply for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), a DoD medical school that grants an educational delay to finish active-duty service commitments after graduation.
Additionally, while on active duty, cadets can pursue a master's degree in almost any subject with tuition assistance of up to $250 per semester hour or up to $4,500 per year. If the Air Force requires a specific subject for the master's degree, cadets can apply to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), which pays 100% of the tuition.
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Air Force ROTC's Graduate Law Program
The Graduate Law Program (GLP) is a two-year Air Force ROTC program for law students. The program guarantees a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG) upon completion of the ROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and fulfilment of legal licensing requirements.
The Air Force ROTC program provides cadets with foundational knowledge of legal concepts, such as constitutional rights, criminal procedure, and the laws of war. Additionally, cadets can attend and present at industry events, such as the U.S. Space Command's legal conference, allowing them to gain practical experience in the legal field.
The Air Force also offers funding opportunities for legal education through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). This program allows service members to attend law school with full funding and become judge advocates. To be eligible, applicants must meet specific active-duty requirements, be in the specified pay grade, hold a bachelor's degree, and apply to an ABA-approved law school.
While the Air Force Academy does not offer a direct route to law school, it provides legal studies programs that enhance cadets' knowledge of the law and its role in American society and the international community. These programs develop analytical skills and prepare cadets for future legal challenges they may encounter in their careers.
Additionally, the Air Force ROTC offers various graduate opportunities, including medical and engineering programs, allowing cadets to pursue specialised careers within the Air Force or Space Force.
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Funded Legal Education Program
The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) is a unique opportunity for active-duty service members to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates. The program is highly competitive and not a direct entry route to law school for Air Force Academy graduates.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be currently serving on extended active duty for at least two but not more than six years (enlisted time included) by the time law school starts. Officer applicants must be in the pay grade of O-3 or below, with less than three years' time in grade as an O-3. Additionally, applicants must have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.
Application Process
Eligible applicants must obtain a conditional release through the Air Force Personnel Center from their career field if selected for the program. They must also apply to an American Bar Association-approved law school, which includes taking the LSAT. While admission to an ABA-approved law school is required, it is not a prerequisite for applying to the program. Enlisted service members must meet the requirements of the enlisted to Officer Training School commissioning program as directed by DAFMAN 36-2032 and have six months of retainability past their projected graduation date.
Post-Graduation Commitments
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 exam after graduating from law school. An active-duty service commitment of two years for each academic year or part thereof of legal training is accrued. Officers dropped from the program incur a one-year active duty service commitment for each year of participation.
Alternative Options
For those seeking a direct route to law school, considering an ROTC program is a better option. While there is no direct entry from a Service Academy to law school, serving as an Officer in the military can provide valuable leadership and life experience. Additionally, taking legal studies at a Service Academy can help increase the chances of getting into law school.
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Cadets can attend and present at the US Space Command's annual legal conference
The United States Air Force Academy offers a legal studies program that is not "prelaw", but is designed to provide an enhanced knowledge of the law as part of a broadly focused education. Cadets are introduced to foundational concepts of law, such as constitutional rights, criminal procedure, command discretion, and the laws of war. They also develop analytical skills and build expertise in the study of law and its role and function in both American society and the international community.
The US Air Force Academy hosted the fourth annual US Space Command's legal conference in 2024, and the third annual conference in 2023, allowing cadets to attend and present at the event. The conference was co-hosted by the US Air Force Academy's Department of Law and USSPACECOM's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. This provided an opportunity for cadets to learn from and engage with industry leaders and experts in the field of space law and policy.
The US Air Force Academy's Department of Law prepares cadets for the legal challenges they may encounter in their future careers. By participating in events like the US Space Command's annual legal conference, cadets can gain valuable insights and experiences that will enhance their understanding of the complex legal considerations in both civilian and military contexts.
While the Air Force Academy does not offer a direct route to law school, it provides a strong foundation in legal studies that can be advantageous for those aspiring to pursue a law degree. The academy also offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which allows active-duty service members to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates. This program, however, requires applicants to have already graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no direct route to law school from the Air Force Academy. However, you can take legal studies at the Academy, which will help you get into law school.
FLEP is a program that provides a unique opportunity for service members to attend law school fully funded by the Air Force and become judge advocates.
GLP is a two-year Air Force ROTC program for law students. Once selected, students are guaranteed a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon completing the ROTC program, graduating from an ABA-approved law school, and completing legal licensing requirements.
Yes, while on active duty, you can pursue a master's degree in almost any subject with tuition assistance, which pays up to $250 per semester hour, up to $4,500 per year. You can also apply to attend a program through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), which pays 100% of your tuition if the Air Force needs you to pursue a master's degree in a specific subject.
Yes, cadets have the option to switch majors or even add a second major as long as they meet all the requirements without excessive overloads.
