Laws Education in the USA,कानूनी शिक्षा अमेरिका में

 



In this article, we will inform you what you should know while planning to stud law in the US. We will tell you what all factors candidates should consider while deciding a college for pursuing Law in the US. There are three main degree options for students to pursue Law in the US. The Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.) and the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.). becoming a Lawyer in the United States is a little different. Students looking to pursue Law degree needs to complete a bachelor's degree in any field and then go for a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from any Law school. J.D. is the first degree in Law in the United States. The tenure for this degree is seven years, four years for a bachelor's degree and three years for a J.D. program. After this, students become eligible to sit for a state bar exam, which is a requirement before practicing law. In total, there are 50 US state bars and Attorneys become licensed in their individual states, as such there is no single national bar exam in the United States. While pursuing J.D., students get the option to focus on a particular field and hold specialization in it, however, students prefer to go for broader understanding of the US legal practice. This will open new horizons of learning for them later in their career. Usually, US law schools require the applicants to take an entrance exam, the LSAT, for taking admission in a J.D. program. However, from fall 2017, three top law schools Georgetown, Harvard, and Arizona have started accepting GRE as part of their application process. Students should keep in mind the range of scores of different schools while applying for their preferred school. Apart from the scores, law schools will vary a little in their requirements.

Candidates also need to submit a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and the application fee while applying. Based on the requirement of the school, candidates can also be asked to submit CAS (credential assembly service) report that includes candidate's LSAT score report, transcripts, letter of recommendation and candidate's academic summary report. The CAS report is compiled by LSAC (Law School Admissions Council). You should always check the exact requirements of the schools where you are applying.

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

International students can also pursue one year Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the United States. LL.M. programs in the US are designed in such a way that students can gain a deep understanding of the legal system and practice in the US. Candidates have the option of pursuing a specialization in environmental law, to business law to international arbitration.

Candidates from India applying for the LL.M. are required to hold a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) or either a 3 + 3 or an integrated 5-year degree. Candidates who are seeking admission to an LL.M. program are required to hold the first degree in law that allows one to practice law or give a bar exam.

Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D. or J.S.D.)

The J.S.D. degree takes 3 to 5 years to complete and is designed for students looking for a career in academics outside the US. Before enrolling in an S.J.D. or J.S.D., the candidates must have completed the LL.M. from a Law school in the United States. As this program is not offered by too many schools, therefore, schools are highly selective while selecting candidates for this course. S.J.D. or J.S.D. is the highest law degree offered in the United States.

Scholarship Opportunities

Studying abroad is not an easy task for everyone, and finances play an important role while selecting the right school. Law school cost includes tuition fee, living expenses, books and health insurance. Also, there are many law schools in the US that charge different amount of tuition fee, so, you can check different schools before applying. Many law schools offering both LL.M.s and J.D.S offer various types of merit-based and need-based scholarships to candidates. However, getting a need-based scholarship for international students is difficult as federal aid is meant for US citizens. Candidates can also check scholarships like Fulbright apart from the student loan while applying to law schools.

Perfect Law school for you

Before selecting a J.D. or an LL.M., it is always important to consider various factors like cost and how it is going to benefit you in the long run. J.D. is three years course, whereas, LL.M. is a one year course, so, going for a one-year tuition fee along with the cost of living is always less than going for a three years course. However, if you are going to spend three years in the US, then it has its own benefits, you can also make useful professional networks as well.

Post-education

Law firms in the US hiring for first-year associates mostly look for J.D. degree. Students with LL.M., usually get lateral positions or foreign associate positions. Also, international students can take the advantage of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) that allows students to extend their stay in the US by up to 1 month while gaining work experience at the same time. Students pursuing LL.M., J.D. or S.J.D., can also go for OPT.