Academics & Clinical

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Degree Programs Offered at HLS

Degree Programs Offered at HLS

J.D. Program

The J.D. curriculum reflects legal practice in the 21st century, with courses in legislation and regulation and international and comparative law in addition to the traditional curriculum of civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, property, and torts. First-year students take a problem solving workshop in which they grapple with real-world challenges involving complex fact patterns and encompassing diverse bodies of law.

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LL.M. Program

The LL.M. (Master of Laws) program is a one-year degree program that typically includes 180 students from more than 70 countries. The Graduate Program is interested in attracting intellectually curious and thoughtful candidates from a variety of legal systems and backgrounds and with various career plans.

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S.J.D. Program

The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is Harvard Law School's most advanced law degree, designed for aspiring legal academics who wish to pursue sustained independent study, research and writing. In recent years we have created a vibrant intellectual community of young scholars from around the world, most of whom will secure teaching positions in their home countries, the U.S., or third countries.

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Clinical and Pro Bono Programs

Clinical and Pro Bono Programs

The Clinical Experience: Hands-On Learning

Clinical and Pro Bono Programs provide diverse and innovative opportunities for students to practice law and develop skills through individualized supervision, mentoring, and modeling. The programs offer students advance access to justice locally and globally by working on real world cases and projects, and inspire students to develop a lifelong commitment to pro bono service.

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Opportunities for Students

Opportunities for Students

  • Harvard Law School, NW Corner Building, WCC, Location: Cambridge MA, Architect: Robert A M Stern Architects

    Joint JD and Master Degree Programs

    The Law School offers joint degree programs with Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Harvard Graduate School of Design. HLS also offers an international joint degree with the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law.
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  • Semester Abroad

    The Semester Abroad Program is a wonderful opportunity for Harvard Law School students to receive a semester of ungraded credit towards the Harvard J.D. degree for study at a law school overseas. Studying abroad offers an experience unavailable at HLS – immersion in a foreign legal culture.
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    Programs of Study

    HLS encourages J.D. students to build on the foundation of the first year with focus to pursue deep knowledge and curiosity to explore a broad array of ideas about and approaches to law. Pursue your own passions, and also think about how to take advantage of opportunities for advanced work, clinical work, fellowships, and courses elsewhere in the university.
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    Fellowships

    Harvard Law School offers several fellowships in a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields for students, recent graduates, and practitioners. These highly-competitive opportunities aim to stimulate intellectual growth, and advance the research agendas and training for outstanding scholars and professionals.

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    Cross-Registration at Harvard Law School

    One of the unrivaled benefits of being a student at HLS is access to courses and faculty members in the other Harvard Schools. Students may earn credits from courses taken at other Harvard schools, the Fletcher School at Tufts, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology toward their degree requirements.
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  • Continuing and Executive Education

    Harvard Law School offers lawyers three opportunities for continuing education: Executive Education at Harvard Law School, Harvard Negotiation Institute (formerly known as Program of Instruction for Lawyers), and Negotiation and Leadership.
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Related Departments

Related Departments

Office of Academic Affairs

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Office of the Registrar

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Clinical and Pro Bono Programs

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International Legal Studies

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