A number of top law programs are available at Southern American universities.
Preparing for a career in law involves intense study for the bar exam, an exam that many students take multiple times before passing. To prepare for the exam, future lawyers spend a number of years researching the various types of law such as criminal, corporate or family. Although top law schools are found all across the country, students wishing to study in the Southern region of the United States have a number of options.
University of Virginia School of Law
Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia's School of Law offers both Juris Doctor degrees and Master of Law degrees. Students also have the option of completing a combined degree, earning both a Juris Doctor and either a Master of Arts, MBA or Master of Science degree.
As of 2009, the school enrolled more than 1,100 law students and boasts of a student to faculty ratio of 12.6 to 1. The school offers a number of law concentrations for students to study including tax law, family law and criminal justice.
The school also publishes nine academic law journals such as "Virginia Law Review" and the "Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law."
"U.S. News & World Report" ranks the school as the 10th best law school in the country as of 2010.
University of Virginia
School of Law
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-924-7351
virginia.edu
Duke University
"U.S. News & World Report" ranks Duke University's law program as the 11th best in the country as of 2010. Students enrolled in the program spend three years working toward a firm grasp of legal analysis.
Students spend their first year taking core law classes in civil courts, torts and contracts before moving onto courses tailored to their specialization. Upon graduation students earn either a Juris Doctor or Master of Law degree. These degrees can be combined, and the school also offers a doctorate in juridical science.
The university publishes nine student-run journals including the "Alaska Law Review," the "Duke Forum for Law & Social Change" and the "Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy."
Duke University
Towerview and Science Drive
Durham, NC 27708
919-613-7020
duke.edu
Vanderbilt University Law School
The 17th ranked law school in the country, according to "U.S. News & World Report," Vanderbilt University's Law School provides concentrations in a variety of law fields including entertainment law, environmental law, social justice and constitutional law. The school also provides a study abroad program in Venice, Italy.
Students work toward either a Juris Doctor degree, Master of Law degree or a doctorate in law and economics. Students at the university publish three journals: the "Vanderbilt Law Review," the "Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law" and the "Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law."
The school began offering law study in 1874, which happened to be one year before the university's main campus began providing classes.
Vanderbilt University
Law School
131 21st Ave. S.
Nashville, TN 37203
615-322-6452
vanderbilt.edu
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