Keith Mack
The United States is a popular destination for international students, including those seeking law degrees. Unlike other countries, students wishing to study law in the US must first complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline. This is followed by a Juris Doctor (JD) or similar degree, which takes three years of full-time study to complete. The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a crucial part of the admissions process for US law schools, testing students' reasoning, analytical, and logical skills. Law school in the US is challenging and competitive, but it offers many exciting opportunities and can lead to a variety of careers, including politics, diplomacy, business, and economics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degree required to practice law | Juris Doctor (JD) or similar degree |
| Degree duration | Three years of schooling full-time, four years part-time |
| Undergraduate degree required | Yes, in any subject |
| Undergraduate degree focus | Public policy, social justice, public affairs, political science, history, economics, philosophy |
| Admission test | LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) |
| Admission test focus | Reasoning, analytical, and logical reasoning skills |
| Personal statement | Required, demonstrating English skills and passion for law |
| Internships | Available through CPT or OPT work authorization |
| Bar exam | Required to practice law in most states |
| Tuition fees | *~$49,000 per year on average |
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate degree requirements
To study law in the US, you must first complete an undergraduate degree. Unlike in some other countries, including China, Australia, and the UK, you cannot study law at the undergraduate level in the US. Instead, you must do an undergraduate degree first and then apply for a Juris Doctor (JD) degree at a law school. This typically takes three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study.
Students from any discipline can get admitted to law school in the US. However, it is important to choose an undergraduate degree that will help you build your oratory, analytical, written, and critical thinking skills. Common program tracks for pre-law students include public policy, social justice, public affairs, political science, history, economics, and philosophy.
When applying to law school, your GPA will be an essential factor in the admission process, alongside the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT is a half-day standardized test designed to test your reasoning, analytical, and logical reasoning abilities. It is scored on a scale from 120 to 180 and is used by law schools to identify candidates most likely to succeed. Doing well on the LSAT is crucial, especially if you wish to attend a top-tier law school.
In addition to your LSAT score and GPA, your personal statement is an essential part of your law school application. Here, you must demonstrate excellent English skills and a passion for law. You should explain why you want to attend law school in the US and how your background as an international student can be advantageous.
It is also important to consider the location of the law school, as most states require you to pass a bar exam to practice law in their jurisdiction. Therefore, it can be helpful to attend law school in the region where you'd like to practice.
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Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a crucial part of the admissions process for US law schools. It is a half-day standardised test designed for prospective law school candidates and is scored on a scale from 120 to 180. The LSAT does not measure any specialised knowledge but instead tests the student's ability to use reasoning, analytical and logical reasoning skills. It also assesses their reading comprehension and ability to think critically. The test helps prospective law students determine if law school is right for them and helps law schools identify the candidates most likely to succeed on the course.
The LSAT is an integral part of the law school admissions process in the United States, Canada (common law programs only), the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a growing number of other countries. The test has existed since 1948 and has been used in its current form since 1991. The exam consists of four sections, including three scored multiple-choice sections, an unscored experimental section, and an unscored writing section.
To prepare for the LSAT, it is recommended that students take practice tests, such as the free Official LSAT PrepTests available online. LSAC also offers four free tests that can be downloaded from their website. It is important to take these practice tests under actual time constraints and representative conditions to identify areas that require further review.
The LSAT is a crucial exam for students wishing to study law in the US, and it is important to achieve a high score, especially for those aiming to attend top-tier law schools.
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First-year law school curriculum
The first year of law school in the US is a foundational year, introducing students to the fundamental principles of legal analysis, reasoning, and writing. While the exact curriculum can vary between law schools, there are certain core subjects that are taught at nearly every law school during the first year.
Students will take a series of required courses, often referred to as "podium courses", and will begin to think and write like a lawyer. They will delve into legal cases, explore precedents, and develop critical analytical skills. The first-year curriculum is designed to be interactive and collaborative, with the Socratic Method being a key teaching style. This method involves a dialogue between the professor and students, presenting an opportunity to grapple with complex legal concepts and principles in real-time.
Core subjects taught in the first year include Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts, and Constitutional Law. Civil Procedure teaches students how to navigate the civil justice system, covering the basic steps in civil litigation, including jurisdiction, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and trial. Contracts covers the law of agreements between individuals and entities, including how to read, interpret, and negotiate contracts, as well as dispute resolution. Criminal Law introduces students to the general principles of criminal liability, punishment, and the law of civil injuries. Torts is the study of civil wrongs, including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability. Constitutional Law covers the basic principles of the US Constitution, its interpretation by the Supreme Court, and the distribution and limitations of governmental authority.
In addition to these core subjects, some law schools offer elective courses that cover a range of legal topics, such as corporate law, intellectual property law, immigration law, or environmental law. These electives allow students to explore specific areas of interest and develop specialized knowledge and skills.
Other first-year requirements may include participation in a moot court exercise, where students prepare briefs and oral arguments for a mock trial, and a professional development program to help students identify and build essential professional skills for a legal career.
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Specialisations and internships
Specialisations
In the US, law students typically choose an area of specialisation in their second and third years of study. Some of the specialisations on offer at US law schools include:
- Intellectual property law
- Patent law
- Technology law
- Business law
- Telecommunications law
- Business operations
- Entrepreneurship
- Taxation
- Finance
- Corporate law
- Commercial law
- Environmental law
Internships
Internships are a great way for law students to gain practical experience in their field of study. International students in the US can undertake internships through CPT or OPT work authorisation, as long as the internship is related to their academic major. For example, a degree in criminal justice could help you secure an internship with a law firm or legal aid program.
There are also opportunities for internships abroad, which can help law students broaden their skills and experience a different legal system.
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The bar exam
The most common testing configuration consists of a two-day bar examination, with one day devoted to the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), a standardized 200-item test covering six areas: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. The second day of testing typically includes locally crafted essays from a broader range of subjects. In some states, two nationally developed tests, the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), may be used in addition to the MBE. Almost all jurisdictions also require applicants to present an acceptable score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), which is separately administered three times a year. The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) is coordinated by the NCBE and consists of the MEE, two MPT tasks, and the MBE.
While most people take the bar exam after graduating from law school, it is possible to take the exam without a law degree in some states. Currently, Washington, Vermont, California, and Virginia are the only four states that allow this. However, it is important to note that the pass rate for legal apprentices is significantly lower than for those who have completed law school.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to complete a bachelor's degree in any subject before applying for a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is required to practice law in the US.
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a three-year graduate program that teaches core law concepts and specialized courses. It is required to practice law in the US.
Studying law in the US offers a rewarding academic experience and cultural exchange. The US is home to highly ranked law schools that are respected by employers worldwide. The legal system also provides a diverse range of career opportunities, including positions as attorneys, diplomats, and in-house counsel in corporations.
The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a crucial part of the admissions process. It is a half-day standardized test that evaluates reasoning, analytical, and logical skills. A strong personal statement and a high GPA are also important factors for international students applying to US law schools.
