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Graduate Legal Education
The master of comparative law (M.C.L.), also known as the
master of comparative jurisprudence (M.C.J.), is a particularly
appropriate degree program for international lawyers. Recognizing
that legal systems in many countries differ from common law
as practiced in the United States, these programs acquaint
lawyers from other countries with U.S. legal institutions
and relevant specialties of U.S. law. Another graduate option
is the master of laws (L.L.M.), a degree offered in a variety
of specialties or as a self-designed program, with appropriateness
for the international practitioner varying from program to
program. Programs in international law or international business
law may also be of interest.
Almost all master's programs in law last one year and admit
students only for the fall semester. Programs can be planned
according to the interests of the student. During study, international
lawyers have the opportunity to observe courts and government
agencies in the United States. Entrance requirements include
a first degree in law, a strong academic background, letters
of reference, a statement of purpose and/or writing samples,
and a high level of English proficiency as demonstrated by
the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students
whose law degree was not in the English language. Most graduate
law programs do not require standardized admissions tests.
Doctoral programs in law also exist. They admit only a small
number of promising applicants, usually from among those who
have completed a master's program at a U.S. law school and
who plan to enter a career as a law school faculty member.
Financial assistance may be more readily available to law
students intending to continue towards a doctoral degree than
to those seeking only a one-year master's program.
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