Cecily Zamora
It is possible to take law classes while serving in the US military, although it requires careful planning and consideration. The military offers various opportunities for legal education, such as the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) in the US Army, which provides early litigation experience and access to a wide range of legal disciplines. The military also has programs like the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which covers the cost of law school for active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers. Additionally, ROTC cadets in their fourth year can request an educational delay to attend law school, and the Marine Corps offers the PLC-LAW program for college seniors accepted to law school. However, law school is demanding and differs significantly from undergraduate programs, requiring excellent English language skills and critical reading abilities. It is essential to research and select a law school that offers the necessary flexibility to accommodate military service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military-friendly colleges offering law degrees | JD, MLS, LLM |
| Tuition assistance | $4500 a year |
| GI Bill | Available |
| Flexibility in degree timeframe | Yes |
| Mastery of the English language | Required |
| Grading system | Standard curve |
| Internship opportunities | JAG Corps |
| Leadership development | Included |
| Military law training | Judge Advocate Basic Training Course |
| Military branches with law opportunities | Army, Air Force |
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What You'll Learn
Law school flexibility
Law school is a demanding academic pursuit that requires a lot of preparation and dedication. The curriculum is designed to help students develop legal reasoning and critical thinking skills, with most courses graded entirely on the basis of a final exam. Students are expected to read and understand old court opinions and outline the resulting rules into a coherent doctrine. The grading system in law school is also unique, with students ranked on a standard curve against their classmates.
Given these demands, it is challenging to take law classes while serving in the military. However, it is not impossible, and there are a few options available for those interested in pursuing a legal education while in the military:
- Tuition Assistance (TA): The military offers tuition assistance for active-duty service members to take college courses. TA can pay for tuition or a large chunk of it, but it may not cover all the costs. The amount and requirements vary by branch; for example, in the Marines, you need 24 months of service before using TA, which provides about $5,000 per year for tuition.
- GI Bill: The GI Bill can be used to cover the cost of law school, but it is typically used after leaving the military. However, some individuals may choose to use it while still serving, especially if they require additional financial support beyond TA.
- Flexible Degree Programs: Some law schools offer flexible degree programs designed for working professionals, including part-time or evening classes. These programs may allow individuals in the military to balance their service commitments with their legal studies.
- Military-Friendly Colleges: There are military-friendly colleges that offer degrees in law, such as the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) in the U.S. Army. The Army's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) covers the cost of law school for active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers who agree to serve in the JAG Corps upon graduation. Additionally, the Marine Corps offers the PLC-LAW program for college seniors accepted to law school.
- Internships and Externships: Internships and externships are an integral part of legal education and can provide valuable experience in military law. JAG Corps offers internship opportunities to work with an active legal or command staff, allowing individuals to gain experience in military legal matters without necessarily being enrolled in law school.
- Educational Delay (ROTC): ROTC students in their fourth year can request an educational delay before commissioning, allowing them time to attend law school. This option does not offer tuition assistance, but it provides the time and flexibility to pursue a legal education.
While it is possible to take law classes while in the military, it requires careful planning, flexibility, and a realistic understanding of the demands of both commitments. Individuals should research their options thoroughly and consider the available financial assistance, degree program structures, and opportunities within the military to make an informed decision.
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Tuition assistance
One option is to request an educational delay before commissioning to give enough time to attend law school. This doesn't offer tuition assistance, but if you choose to enter a reserve component directly after graduation, you will have time to attend law school around your reserve obligations and may be able to take advantage of reserve educational benefits. The Marine Corps offers a program called PLC-LAW, or Platoon Leaders Class-Law, to college seniors accepted to law school.
The Army covers the cost of law school for up to 25 active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers every year through the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Participants must attend a qualifying school and serve in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) upon graduation. If you have already completed law school and are currently serving as an active-duty JAG officer, you may qualify for up to $65,000 in student loan repayment.
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Internships and externships
The Navy JAG Corps, for example, offers summer internships and school-year externships to law students. These positions provide valuable legal experience, the chance to gain academic credit, and insight into life as a Navy judge advocate. Interns and externs are exposed to one or more core practice areas: military justice (criminal prosecution or defense, appellate work), legal assistance (providing general legal advice to Sailors and their families), and command services (advising military commanders and their staff). To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens, under 42 years old, have completed the LSAT or GRE, and be enrolled in an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school.
The Navy's internship and externship opportunities are currently limited to bases in the United States, including San Diego, CA; Groton, CT; Navy Yard, D.C.; and Norfolk, VA, among others. Applicants are responsible for their travel and living arrangements, and the Navy does not provide funding.
The US Department of Labor's National Office, Regional, and Branch Offices also offer internships and externships to law students. These positions provide opportunities to gain legal experience and academic credit. For example, the San Francisco Regional Solicitor's Office offers internships with a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week, and interns assist with litigation in federal district courts and administrative tribunals. Similarly, the Atlanta Regional Solicitor's Office offers internships where students are exposed to a wide range of employment law matters. The Dallas Regional Solicitor's Office offers six-week internships during the summer and part-time opportunities during the spring and fall semesters.
The Office of the Legal Adviser also offers highly competitive internship and externship programs for students interested in public service and international law.
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Military law
Transitioning from the military to law school is a popular option for veterans looking to utilise their GI Bill benefits. However, it is important to note that law school is significantly different from undergraduate studies. Law school is demanding and rigorous, requiring strong English language skills, including the ability to read critically and write coherently. The grading system in law school is also unique, with students ranked on a standard curve against their classmates.
There are several ways to pursue a legal education while in the military or as a veteran. The military offers tuition assistance of up to $4,500 per year for active-duty personnel to take college courses, and some law schools have night classes or flexible degree programs designed for working professionals. Additionally, the Army's Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) covers the cost of law school for up to 25 active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers annually, with participants serving in the JAG Corps upon graduation.
For those interested in becoming military lawyers, the JAG Corps provides a ten-and-a-half-week basic training course that combines classroom instruction with practical exercises, covering all aspects of military law and the organisation's structure and mission. JAG Corps lawyers can expect to gain experience in various legal disciplines, including Constitutional Law, International Law, Operational Law, and Intelligence Law, among others. They also have the opportunity to rotate through different legal specialisations and access numerous continuing legal education courses throughout their careers.
Additionally, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program offers pathways to law school for Air Force and Army cadets. ROTC students can request an educational delay before commissioning to attend law school, or they can choose to enter a reserve component after graduation, allowing them to attend law school around their reserve obligations. The Marine Corps also has the Platoon Leaders Class-Law (PLC-LAW) program for college seniors accepted to law school.
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Legal skills
The military offers many opportunities for those looking to pursue a law degree. The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) covers the cost of law school for up to 25 active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers annually, with participants serving in the JAG Corps upon graduation. Additionally, the Army provides student loan repayment of up to $65,000 for active-duty JAG officers who have already completed law school. The Marine Corps offers a similar program called PLC-LAW, providing college seniors accepted to law school with the opportunity to attend law school around their reserve obligations.
Law school is a challenging and competitive endeavour, requiring strong English language skills, critical reading abilities, and coherent writing skills. The grading system in law school is based on a standard curve, ranking students against their classmates. While law school is demanding, it offers valuable practical legal skills, such as Trial Advocacy and Prosecution Clinics, as well as internship and externship experiences. These programs provide a unique opportunity to gain early litigation experience, develop critical thinking skills, and learn the process of legal reasoning, which can be similar to the high-pressure decisions faced in the military.
When transitioning from the military to law school, it is important to prepare well in advance, ideally 1.5-2 years before starting classes. This includes considering the type of lawyer one wants to become and seeking advice from those already in the field. While a bachelor's degree in pre-law is not required, picking an undergraduate program aligned with one's planned specialization can be advantageous. Additionally, it is worth noting that law school is not just "idea time"; instead, it involves reading numerous court opinions, understanding key information, and outlining coherent doctrines to prepare for exams.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to take law classes while serving in the US military. However, you will need to find a school that allows for a flexible degree timeframe. Law school is not like an undergraduate degree, and you may not be able to choose your schedule or classes. Tuition assistance is available for active-duty military personnel, but it may not cover all the costs.
The Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) is a government law organization that provides legal services to the Army and its soldiers. Through the JAG Corps, you can gain experience in various areas of law, including Constitutional Law, International Law, Operational Law, and more. You can also take part in internship and externship opportunities offered by the JAG Corps.
There are several options available to fund your legal education while serving in the military. You can use your military benefits, such as tuition assistance or the GI Bill. The Army also offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which covers the cost of law school for active-duty officers and non-commissioned officers. Additionally, ROTC students can request an educational delay to attend law school, and the Marine Corps offers the PLC-LAW program for college seniors accepted to law school.
Law school is a challenging and competitive environment, and you will need strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills to succeed. It is important to have a clear idea of why you want to become a lawyer and to research the legal field to ensure it aligns with your expectations. You should also be prepared to handle the demands of both your military service and your legal studies.
