Careers Service University College Cork Ireland May 2009 Legal Education in the USA

Acronym Decoder JD –the abbreviation of Juris Doctor, which literally translates to “teacher of law” in Latin. LLM –derived from Legum Magister, which means master of laws in Latin. ABA –American Bar Association (ABA), which is the organization that accredits JD programs LSAT – Law School Admission Test

Key Topics Reasons to Study Law in the U.S. The JD Degree The LSAT The LLM Degree Resources

Reasons to Study Law in the U.S. Enhance your legal credentials Enhance employment skill set Aim to be a judge or government official Advance as a law professor

The JD Degree JD: the basic law degree necessary to practice law in the U.S. Not practical for students who want to practice law in their home country. Accredited by the American Bar Association

The JD Degree cont. JD is a graduate degree Must have a bachelor’s degree to apply JD curriculum is 3 yrs fulltime or 4 yrs part time. Joint JD/MBA or JD/MA programs are available

About the LSAT Law School Admission Test measures reading and verbal reasoning skills Many law schools require that the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following year.

More information on the LSAT Website:

The LLM Degree The abbreviation for of Legum Magister (master of laws in Latin) The LLM is a graduate law degree – a first degree in law is a prerequisite (No previous law degree is required for a JD )

The LLM Degree cont. 1 year of full time study or 2 years of part time study Earning the LLM degree does not qualify international lawyers to sit for the bar exam in every state or to practice law in every state.

Popular Law Specialties Intellectual Property Rights Information Technology Environmental law Human Rights Constitutional Law International Law

Applying for an LLM Must have a first degree in law from their country of origin. LSAT not usually required for admission Many schools require TOEFL score Not all law schools offer LLM programs

LLM Credential Assembly Service Sends reports of student credentials to 5 participating law schools. Students submit attested documents from issuing institution in original language with English translations Basic service costs US$185. For more information, please visit

Online Resources American Bar Association: Association of American Law Schools: Association for Legal Career Professionals: Equal Justice Works: LLM Guide: Law School Admission Council (LSAC): National Conference of Bar Examiners: New York State Board of Law Examiners: The State Bar of California:

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Question 1: True or False: A student can enroll in a law school program in the U.S. after finishing school in Ireland.

FALSE Legal education in the U.S. is done at the graduate level. All students must have a bachelors degree before applying to a JD Program. Answer 1:

Question 2: True or False: Students must have a law degree from their home country to apply for an LLM program.

TRUE Students must have a first degree in law from their country of origin before applying for an LLM program. Answer 2:

Question 3: True or False: Once a student completes an LLM program, he or she can practice law in the U.S.

FALSE Earning the LLM degree does not qualify international lawyers to sit for the bar exam in every state or to practice law in every state. Answer 3:

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