We designed our 2-Year JD Program for Foreign-Trained Lawyers for highly qualified international applicants interested in obtaining a U.S. Juris Doctor and having the ability to take the New York State Bar exam. Students in the 2-Year Program are admitted with advanced standing, receiving up to one year of elective credit for already earning a foreign law degree.
Application Process
Applying to the 2-Year JD Program for Foreign-Trained Lawyers is similar to applying to our traditional JD Program as an international student, except that Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is not required.
No application will be considered complete for submission to the Admissions Committee until the following materials have been received and processed:
- Completed Application
- Personal statement
- Required: Two letters of recommendation
- Register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS)
- Submit TOEFL or IELTS score via LSAC’s document assembly service
It is not required that you take the LSAT to apply.
Candidates for the 2-Year Program will be required to interview with the Dean of Admissions. This will give us an opportunity to learn more about the candidate’s desire to pursue the degree, and will give the candidate the opportunity to learn more about the program.
Applicants should register online through LSAC and select the 2-Year JD Program for Foreign-Trained Lawyers on the application.
There is no application fee. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the deadline to apply is May 15.
Applicants to the 2-Year Program are eligible for merit scholarships and possibly financial aid.
Cost
Visit our tuition page to view the current tuition rates. The per credit rate for the 3-Year Program is the same. The added value for students is the reduced living expenses over two years instead of three.
Applicants to the 2-Year Program are eligible for merit scholarships and possibly financial aid.
Curriculum
A total of 87 credits are required to earn the JD degree. Students may apply a maximum of 27 credits from their previously completed foreign law degree, so they must complete a minimum of 60 additional credits during their two years of study at Hofstra Law.
English Proficiency Test
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an English-speaking institution must submit a TOEFL to apply.