Cameron Miranda
Harvard Law School is one of the most prestigious and competitive law schools in the world, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1817, making it the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States. With a large class size of around 1,990 students annually, including approximately 1,750 J.D. students, 180 LL.M. students, and 60 S.J.D. candidates, Harvard Law School offers a variety of degree programs to its students. The school's graduates have gone on to hold prominent positions, including US presidents, senators, and Supreme Court clerks. In this article, we will explore the different degree programs offered at Harvard Law School, providing an overview of the academic pathways available to aspiring law students seeking to join this illustrious institution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students | Approximately 1,990 students attend Harvard Law School each year, including 1,750 J.D. students, 180 LL.M. students, and 60 S.J.D. candidates. |
| Acceptance rate | One of the lowest law school acceptance rates in the country |
| Average GPA | 3.92 |
| Average LSAT score | 174 |
| Percentage of students with advanced degrees | 11% |
| Cost of attendance | The total cost of attendance for the 2021–2022 academic year was $104,200 |
| Employment rate | 86.8% of 2020 graduates were employed in bar passage-required jobs, and 5.3% were employed in J.D. advantage jobs |
| Bar exam pass rate | 99% of 2019 graduates passed the bar exam |
| Supreme Court clerks | Harvard Law School graduates accounted for more than one-quarter of all Supreme Court clerks between 2000 and 2010 |
| Founding | Harvard Law School was founded in 1817, making it the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States |
| Course structure | Harvard Law School offers foundational, intermediate, and advanced courses, as well as capstone opportunities such as seminars, research settings, and advanced clinics |
| Application requirements | Two letters of recommendation (one academic and one professional), a personal statement, a bachelor's degree, and either the LSAT or GRE tests |
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What You'll Learn
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a one-year advanced degree program for intellectually curious candidates from diverse backgrounds and countries. The LL.M. program at Harvard Law School typically includes 180 students from approximately 65 to 70 countries. The program is designed for students who have already received their first law degrees, such as a J.D. (Juris Doctor) from an ABA-approved U.S. law school or a first law degree from a foreign law school. Harvard Law School rarely admits applicants who already hold or are pursuing an LL.M. from another law school in the United States.
Admission to the LL.M. program is highly competitive, with approximately 1,600 applicants vying for the limited number of available spots. The Committee on Graduate Studies considers various factors when evaluating applications, including grades, rank in law and other university studies, letters of recommendation, occupational interests, and professional and personal accomplishments. While work experience is not required, applicants with at least two years of work experience or further study beyond law school tend to have a better sense of their goals for the LL.M. program and often submit stronger applications.
The LL.M. program at Harvard Law School offers students a broad platform to design their own course of study within parameters set by the faculty. These parameters include exposure to U.S. law, writing experience, and, for students with a J.D. degree, recommended exposure to legal theory. Students have the flexibility to choose courses from a wide range of areas, including environmental law, corporations, public international law, constitutional law, business organization and finance, legal theory, and human rights. Additionally, students can pursue credits at other faculties within Harvard and participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
The LL.M. program attracts a diverse group of students from various legal systems and backgrounds, including lawyers working in firms or NGOs, government officials, law professors, judges, diplomats, activists, doctoral students, and businesspeople. This diversity significantly contributes to the educational experience of all students at the School. The LL.M. program provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue their legal interests and design a customized course of study within the prestigious and challenging environment of Harvard Law School.
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Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is Harvard Law School's most advanced law degree. It is a research doctorate degree in law, equivalent to a Ph.D., and is designed for aspiring legal academics who wish to pursue sustained independent study, research, and writing. The program typically comprises around 60 S.J.D. candidates from diverse backgrounds and countries, primarily drawn from Harvard's top LL.M. graduates.
The S.J.D. program at Harvard Law School is a highly selective program that admits applicants with a distinguished prior academic record in law, demonstrating outstanding scholarship potential and the ability to complete a scholarly dissertation. Candidates are expected to produce a dissertation that constitutes a substantial and valuable contribution to legal scholarship. The program is structured into five stages, including the completion of a study plan, course work, two presentations at the S.J.D. Colloquium, and the submission and defence of a doctoral dissertation.
During the first year or two of study, S.J.D. candidates at Harvard Law School are expected to prepare and complete a study plan and successfully pass the oral (general) examination. In the remaining three years, they must complete presentations, submit and defend their dissertation, which is supervised by a faculty member of their choice, approved by the Committee on Graduate Studies.
The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree is highly regarded and can lead to various career opportunities. Graduates of the program often secure teaching positions in their home countries, the United States, or other countries. The degree's focus on independent study, research, and writing equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to contribute significantly to legal scholarship and education.
Overall, Harvard Law School's Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) program offers a rigorous and intellectually stimulating environment for aspiring legal academics. It provides a unique opportunity for individuals to pursue their scholarly interests, contribute to legal scholarship, and develop the expertise necessary to become teachers and scholars of law.
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J.D. Program
Harvard Law School's J.D. Program is a three-year course with approximately 560 students in each class. The first year of the program provides students with a solid intellectual foundation on which to build their legal education. During this year, students take courses covering the core principles and concepts, theory, and skills of legal practice, as well as foundational legal reasoning and analysis. Courses in this first year include civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, and criminal law.
To bridge the gap between academic courses and the skills lawyers use in practice, all first-year students participate in the January Experiential Term. During this term, students enrol in skills-based courses that emphasise teamwork, practical training, and self-reflection. Students also participate in a legal research and writing course, which includes the First-Year Ames Moot Court Program and other opportunities to practice the various forms of legal writing. During the spring term of the first year, students choose an elective based on their individual interests from a wide array of upper-level courses. The first-year class is divided into seven sections of eighty students each, with faculty section leaders providing guidance and support and developing a program of extracurricular activities related to the law.
Outside the scope of the foundational first-year curriculum, students can explore intellectual interests through ungraded groups led by faculty advisors. Topics in these groups are diverse, including legal responses to terrorism, regulation of climate change, Biblical law, detective fiction, conservative jurisprudence, artificial intelligence, and bioethics. There are seven optional Programs of Study: Law and Government; Law and Social Change; Law and Business; Law and History; Criminal Justice; International and Comparative Law; and Law, Science and Technology. These programs provide pathways through the upper-level curriculum, offering students guidance on structuring an academic program that will give them extensive exposure to the law, policy, theory, and practice in their chosen areas of focus.
Harvard Law School provides unmatched opportunities to study law and related disciplines in a rigorous and collaborative environment. The school offers an unparalleled breadth and depth of courses and clinics, research programs, a diverse student body, and an extensive network of distinguished alumni.
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Foundational courses
Harvard Law School offers foundational courses that provide students with the essential knowledge, skills, and context needed to succeed in their legal studies. These courses are designed for students from a variety of academic backgrounds and do not assume any prior knowledge in the field.
The foundational courses at Harvard Law School cover a range of topics, including legal history, comparative law, law and economics, and jurisprudence and legal theory. These courses are intended to give students a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts and principles of law, as well as an understanding of the legal system and its various perspectives.
In legal history courses, students explore the development of legal systems over time, examining the historical context that has shaped the law as we know it today. Comparative law courses, on the other hand, provide a global perspective by studying different legal systems and traditions from around the world. This allows students to identify commonalities and differences in legal approaches and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of law in a globalised world.
Law and economics courses at Harvard Law School offer a unique perspective by applying economic principles and analysis to legal issues. Students learn how economic theories can be used to inform legal decision-making and policy-making, gaining insights into the economic impacts of legal choices. Additionally, jurisprudence and legal theory courses delve into the philosophical foundations of law, exploring the underlying principles, values, and ethics that shape legal systems.
The foundational courses at Harvard Law School are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to navigate their extensive course offerings and progress through more advanced work. Students are encouraged to take a variety of foundational courses to build a strong base of knowledge and skills, which will enable them to excel in their chosen areas of specialisation. These courses also provide an excellent opportunity for students to explore different areas of law and discover their specific interests and passions within the legal field.
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Intermediate courses
Harvard Law School offers a variety of intermediate courses that build upon the foundational knowledge gained in the initial stages of the program. These intermediate courses offer students the opportunity to delve deeper into specific subfields or policy and problem areas, enhancing their expertise and understanding.
One key aspect of intermediate courses at Harvard Law School is the inclusion of clinical opportunities. These courses provide students with hands-on experience, allowing them to apply their legal knowledge to real-world scenarios. Through clinical work, students can develop practical skills such as client interaction, case management, and legal research and drafting. These experiences not only enhance their résumés but also offer a deeper understanding of the legal system and its application.
Additionally, intermediate courses at Harvard Law School may include cross-registration with other schools and departments. This aspect enriches the educational experience by exposing students to diverse perspectives and areas of study. By collaborating with students and faculty from other disciplines, law students can develop a more holistic understanding of the legal field and its intersections with other areas, such as economics, government, or philosophy.
The intermediate curriculum at Harvard Law School is designed to be immersive and comprehensive. Students are encouraged to explore a range of courses that build upon their foundational knowledge. These courses might include subjects such as legal history, comparative law, law and economics, and jurisprudence and legal theory. By engaging with these intermediate-level offerings, students can begin to specialize their legal education and tailor it to their specific interests and career goals.
Harvard Law School's intermediate courses also serve as a stepping stone towards more advanced studies. After completing these courses, students will be better prepared to undertake capstone opportunities, such as advanced seminars, research projects, and clinics. These capstone experiences allow students to synthesize and apply the knowledge gained during their intermediate studies, fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
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Frequently asked questions
Harvard Law School offers three degrees: the J.D. degree, the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, and the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) degree.
The J.D. degree is a foundational degree that requires three years of full-time study. It is designed for students with no prior legal education and is a prerequisite for the other degrees offered at Harvard Law School.
The LL.M. is an advanced degree program for students who have already received their first law degrees. It attracts intellectually curious candidates from diverse backgrounds and focuses on combining legal education with advanced training in a specific field.
The S.J.D. is Harvard Law School's most advanced law degree, designed for aspiring legal academics. The program involves sustained independent study, research, and writing, culminating in a dissertation that contributes substantially to legal scholarship.
