How long is law school? Law school typically takes three years, but the timeline can vary depending on the program and your individual circumstances. Full-time programs last three years, while part-time options extend to four to six years, and accelerated programs can be completed in as little as two years. For added flexibility, online law schools provide accessible formats tailored for working professionals or those who need non-traditional scheduling. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of law degrees and their timelines—so you can make a verdict on your journey to becoming a lawyer.
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How Long is Law School? The Quick Answer
For most students, law school in the United States and law school in Canada takes three years to complete if you’re pursuing a full-time Juris Doctor (JD), which is the standard degree required to practice law in North America.
However, before you even begin law school, you’ll need to earn an undergraduate degree, which typically takes four years. This makes the total time commitment for becoming a lawyer at least seven years for most students.
How Long is Law School? Exploring Flexible Pathways
When asking, “How long is law school?” and “Should I go to law school?” most people think of the traditional three-year JD program. While this remains the standard for many law schools in North America, two other pathways to a JD can affect your time in law school.
Regardless of your chosen path, you must still fulfill law school requirements and have a competitive LSAT score or a good GRE score.
1. Accelerated Two-Year Law School Programs
A growing number of US schools now offer two-year accelerated JD programs designed to condense the law school experience into a shorter timeframe. Currently, no law schools in Canada offer accelerated JD programs.
Accelerated programs are intense, with heavier course loads and summer sessions. Still, they are an excellent option for those ready to immerse themselves in their studies and quickly enter the workforce. These programs typically offer more courses specifically geared toward preparing students for the workplace.
Why Choose a Two-Year Law School Program?
A two-year law school program offers several advantages, including lower tuition costs and reduced living expenses, which help decrease overall debt. This pathway is particularly appealing for individuals who have been out of school for some time and are seeking a faster route into the legal profession. Additionally, foreign-trained lawyers can fulfill the requirements to practice law in the U.S. without the need to spend an extra year in a traditional JD program.
List of Law Schools with Two-Year Programs
1. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
2. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
4. University of Kansas School of Law (for foreign-trained lawyers)
5. Creighton University School of Law
6. Albany Law School (two, three and four-year programs)
7. Suffolk University Law School
8. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
9. Gonzaga University School of Law
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2. Part-Time Law School Programs
For those balancing work, family, or other commitments, part-time law school programs provide a flexible alternative, with options like evening, weekend, and online classes. These programs typically extend the law school timeline to four to six years but offer several advantages.
Why Choose a Part-Time Law School Program?
A part-time law school program offers the flexibility to spread out your studies, allowing you to focus on fewer courses at a time. This option also enables you to continue working or managing family responsibilities while pursuing your degree. Although the total cost may be similar to a full-time program, part-time schedules allow you to pay smaller amounts over a longer period, making the financial burden easier to manage.
List of Law Schools with Part-Time Programs
1. Touro University Law Center
2. Pace University School of Law
3. NSU Shepard Broad College of Law
4. University of Arkansas School of Law
Pros and Cons of Each Law School Pathway
How Long is Law School for Different Types of Law Degrees?
The timeline for law school depends on the type of degree you choose and your specific career goals. From foundational degrees like the JD to advanced research-focused programs like the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), each option has its own focus, purpose, and duration. While some programs extend the time spent in school, they open doors to interdisciplinary careers that require expertise in multiple fields.
1. Juris Doctor (JD): The Standard Law Degree
Duration: Typically 7 years total (4 years for an undergraduate degree + 3 years full-time JD)
While the most common length of time for a JD program is 3 years, there are exceptions to this via accelerated and part-time programs.
The traditional law school curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation and opportunities for specialization. In the first year, students focus on foundational courses, including contracts, torts, civil procedure, and constitutional law, building a strong understanding of core legal principles. During the second and third years, students can tailor their education through elective courses. Additionally, they can participate in mock trials and gain practical experience through clinics or internships, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world legal practice.
For students pursuing the most common path to becoming a licensed lawyer in North America, the JD is the baseline degree required to sit for the bar exam, and a full-time JD is the traditional route for those looking to enter the legal field. Part-time or accelerated programs offer flexibility but come with unique challenges.
2. Dual Degrees: Combine Law with Another Discipline
Duration: 4 to 6 years after completing a 4-year undergraduate degree (8 to 10 years total)
Dual-degree programs allow students to earn a JD alongside another graduate degree, such as a JD/MBA or JD/MPH. Examples of dual degree programs include:
- JD/MBA: A joint program between a law school and business school, ideal for careers in corporate law, business consulting, or entrepreneurship
- JD/MPH: Perfect for those interested in health law, public health policy, or healthcare management
- JD/MSW: Combines legal education with a Master of Social Work, equipping graduates to address legal and social issues, such as child welfare, family law, or advocacy
- JD/MA in International Relations (MAIR): Prepares lawyers to navigate international law and diplomacy, ideal for careers in global policy or human rights law
- Law and Accounting: Merges legal education with accounting expertise, ideal for understanding tax laws, conducting audits, or handling complex financial investigations
- Dual JD: Offered through collaborations between law schools in different countries, this program allows students to study and qualify in both jurisdictions simultaneously
While these programs extend the time spent in school, they open doors to interdisciplinary careers that require expertise in multiple fields. Dual degree programs are offered at Duke Law School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, University of Ottawa Law School, University of Calgary Law School, and Western University Law School.
Check out our tips for writing a strong law school resume!
3. Master of Laws (LLM): Specialize in Your Field
Duration: Up to 2 years (1 year full-time or 2 years part-time), completed after earning an undergraduate degree and JD (8 to 9 years total)
The LLM is an advanced degree designed for those who have already completed their JD and want to gain more profound expertise in a specific area of law. It allows lawyers to specialize in fields like tax, international, intellectual property, human rights, or environmental law, tailoring their education to align with their professional interests or career goals.
This degree is particularly popular among international lawyers seeking to qualify for bar exams in the United States or Canada and domestic lawyers looking to stand out in competitive legal markets.
This focused degree is shorter than a JD and is an excellent option for advancing one’s career or meeting jurisdictional requirements. Several schools offer LLM programs, including Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, Stanford Law School, and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.
4. Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD): The Academic Path
Duration: 3 to 5 years after completing an undergraduate degree and JD (10 to 12 years total)
The SJD is designed for those pursuing careers in academia, advanced research, or legal scholarship. It requires rigorous coursework, advanced research, and the completion of a significant dissertation that contributes to the development of legal theory or practice. Requirements include a JD or LLM as a prerequisite and completion of a dissertation contributing to legal scholarship. Graduates of SJD programs often go on to become professors, deans of law schools, or policymakers,
This degree is rare and pursued by those aiming to teach law or engage in scholarly research rather than practice law. Schools that offer this program include the University of Connecticut School of Law, Dedman School of Law, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
FAQs
1. HOW LONG IS LAW SCHOOL?
Most JD programs in the US and Canada are three years long. Factoring in the time you spend getting the required undergraduate degree beforehand, it will take most law school students seven years to finish law school.
2. CAN I FINISH LAW SCHOOL IN LESS TIME?
Yes, but only in the US. There are no two-year law school programs in Canada.
3. ARE TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS WORTH IT?
Two-year programs are worth it if they will help you get a law degree faster and at less expense. There are some downsides to two-year degrees, but they do not outweigh the benefits.
4. ARE PART-TIME LAW SCHOOL PROGRAMS WORTH IT?
They are worth it if you will benefit from the flexibility of the schedule, and having more time to pay for your studies. Remember that two-year and part-time programs are steps law schools are taking to bring more diversity and give more opportunities to non-traditional law students who do not have the same life circumstances as traditional law school applicants.
5. IS IT HARD TO GET INTO TWO-YEAR JD PROGRAMS?
You have to meet the same law school requirements as a three-year JD program and possibly interview about your motivations to pursue an accelerated degree.
6. ARE TWO-YEAR JD PROGRAMS HARDER THAN THREE-YEAR PROGRAMS?
Harder is one way that you can classify two-year programs because the schedule is more intensive. You won’t have much time off and will probably study year-round. Academically, you will receive the same instruction and material as three-year students, just in less time.
7. SHOULD I DO A TWO-YEAR, THREE-YEAR, OR PART-TIME LAW SCHOOL PROGRAM?
The decision to choose a two-year, three-year, or part-time program depends entirely on the commitment you can give to getting a JD. You should choose the law school program you can manage with your time and resources.
8. CAN I ATTEND LAW SCHOOL ONLINE?
Yes, some law schools in the U.S. now offer online or hybrid JD programs, which combine online coursework with in-person components. These programs are ideal for working professionals or students with family commitments who need more flexibility. However, verifying that the online program is accredited and meets the requirements to sit for the bar exam in your desired jurisdiction is important.
9. HOW DO DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS AFFECT THE LENGTH OF LAW SCHOOL?
Dual-degree programs typically add one to three years to your total time in school. While they take longer, they offer a broader education and open doors to interdisciplinary career opportunities, making the extra time and financial investment worthwhile for many students.
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