What you need for studying law in the United States

Options, Opportunities and More

- Deborah Rosario

J erusha D'Souza, an entertainment attorney practicing in Mumbai, reflects on her U.S. educational experience: "Having an American degree has given me such a level up in my career. I would never have imagined that I would start my own law practice and have so much fun in my work, but because of the knowledge and experience I gained in the United States, I was able to do it. In the world of law where I practice, if you don't bring an edge to your work, nobody listens to you.

And my degree from USC [the University of Southern California] has been a great edge to have." Jerusha completed an LLM in Entertainment Law & Entrepreneurship and Technology Law at USC in 2020.

Like Jerusha, many Indian students explore studying law in the United States. When considering this educational path, it is important to understand the architecture of US legal education and the ways that it differs from legal studies in India. First, in the United States law is not offered at the undergraduate level. Instead, US law degrees are available at the postgraduate level, after a Bachelor's degree.

The two most common options are the JD (Juris Doctor) and the LLM (Master of Laws).

The J.D. is a three-year degree that typically allows graduates of American Bar Association (ABA) accredited schools to sit for any state bar exam upon completion. The LLM, offered as a general or specialised program, is usually a two-semester degree, but schools now offer variations with three or four semesters. Some LLM programs incorporate bar exam preparation, but students do need to verify the precise educational qualifications required to sit for the exam in the specific state. Students should thoughtfully select between these options based on their professional goals, their expected location for work, the level of flexibility th want after their deand, gree, course, cost.