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In almost all countries, jurisprudence is a highly respected and highly paid profession. However, in the United States, the work of lawyers is elevated to a completely different level. American legal education is one of the most expensive in the world, but as a result, one of the most prestigious and unique.
Features of the Bachelor of Laws in the USA
How to become a lawyer in this country? To get started, get a diploma in another specialty. In America, indeed, a special view of jurisprudence. A professional in this field must have not only a university education, but also real life experience. For this reason, the United States does not have a law degree. Law training begins only 4 years later, after graduating from university or college.
You can get a bachelor's degree in any field. Some law schools take into account the previous major, so a degree in economics, statistics, political science or sociology can be an advantage when applying to these institutions.
For other schools, past qualifications are completely irrelevant. So you need to choose a faculty based on the preferences of specific schools, or even better, based on your personal interests. Jurisprudence is a multidisciplinary profession, any knowledge you can weave into your future specialization. For example, with a bachelor's degree in music or art history, become an intellectual property lawyer.
Juris Doctor (JD)
Upon completion of the undergraduate degree, students enter the Juris Doctor program. You can get your first law degree in the United States within three years by studying in law schools.
These schools can be private and operate autonomously, or public and located in the structure of the university. The entire course combines general and specialized subjects. The program itself is designed for those who are just starting their studies in the field of law, but recently, foreigners who already have a law degree, coming to America, first enter the basic JD.
This is because the Juris Doctor program focuses on American law and helps you quickly become familiar with the local legislative and judicial systems.
US Lawyer's Door Sign
Master of Laws (LLM)
The Master of Laws is a one-year program that enrolls students who already have a law degree. LL.M. suggests a narrow specialization - students study a specific area of law and do not affect general disciplines.
The course is very popular among foreign lawyers. First, it is shorter than JD. Second, it is more focused on foreign, rather than American law.
Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
The Doctor of Juridical Science program gives a doctorate in law. It lasts from 2 to 5 years, depending on the specialty and school. During their studies, students conduct their research and write a dissertation. SJD is academic in nature, after which you can start a career as a scientist or teacher in the field of law.
Features of training in law schools
Studying law in America means studying a specific area of expertise: administrative law, commercial law, human rights law, environmental law, international law, IT and media law, teaching, legal history, and more.
The subjects of general education - philosophy, history, ethics, psychology - become optional subjects, and their study depends only on the desire of the student himself.
Legal education in the United States also has a strong practical bias. Classes are not clearly divided into lectures and seminars. Teachers and students interact constantly: they discuss, deal with specific cases, play out trials. Pupils are not told how to speak correctly, build their speech and what techniques to use. They learn this literally on the go, during classes, at the same time developing their own individual style and personal methods of doing business.
Lawyer in the office
Applying to Law School in the USA
The conditions for admission to law schools differ greatly from the conditions for admission to other American educational institutions. Applicants must responsibly approach each requirement, take into account all the features and preferences of individual schools.
Basic conditions for admission
Bachelor's diploma
Registration with LSAC (Law School Admission Council). Application for admission passes through this service
GPA (grade point average)
LSAT (Law School Admission Test). A special test that all applicants who enter the legal profession take. It assesses the general level of the student's intelligence: his critical thinking, ability to correctly analyze the situation and draw logical conclusions
TOEFL or IELTS (Standardized English Proficiency Tests)
Motivation letter
Letters of recommendation from teachers
Interview, work experience, entrance exams, etc.
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