How Many Years Is Law School

Law school is typically a three-year program of full-time study; however, some schools offer four-year programs. Should you decide to enroll as a full-time student, you must earn approximately 86 college credits to graduate, or approximately 86 semester hours over a three-year period. The credits can be earned either in the classroom or through independent study. During the second and third year, students typically take courses that specialize in a particular field of law, such as international law or criminal law, allowing them to gain a depth of knowledge in that specialty.

In addition to the standard three-year program, law students may choose to take a fourth year of study. This fourth year may involve internships, independent study, or directed research in your chosen specialty. It may also involve taking additional courses in that specialty.

The length of law school also depends on a student’s academic focus. For example, if you plan to attend a school that offers a specialization in tax law, then you will likely be required to take more courses in that specialty. Your time to graduation could be extended by several months, or even more than one year, depending on the program.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to extend your time in law school lies with you and your academic advisor. The important thing is to take the opportunity to pursue your goals and forge a successful legal career.