Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes lists of the best colleges in the United States. In addition to ranking schools by type (liberal arts colleges versus master’s degree-granting universities, for example), U.S. News also publishes rankings of graduate and professional degree programs. Among international law programs, the rankings for which were determined through nominations by law professors from American Bar Association-accredited law schools, New York University, Columbia University, and Georgetown University are considered the best in the nation.
New York University
Law professors nominated the New York University School of Law as having the best international law program in the country, according to U.S. News. NYU offers a Juris Doctor degree candidates the opportunity to focus in international law, or they may pursue a combined J.D./Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in International Law.
In addition to the background in international law offered by the J.D. or combined J.D./LL.M. in International Law, students at NYU can gain international experience thanks to two joint degree programs. Students can pursue their J.D. at NYU in conjunction with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Singapore, or they can choose to undertake a dual J.D. from NYU and the University of Melbourne.
Columbia University
According to U.S. News, the international law program at Columbia University comes in second to its downtown rival, New York University. Students enrolled in the J.D. program at Columbia Law can choose from nearly 70 courses in foreign, international, and comparative law.
Columbia was the first law school in the nation to offer students the opportunity to pursue a U.S. Juris Doctor degree concurrent with a foreign law degree. Currently Columbia Law offers 29 dual degree, certificate, and study abroad programs with the cooperation of universities in 12 countries.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University’s School of Law earns the third spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the Best International Law programs. Students who wish to study at Georgetown Law can pursue international law programs at either the Juris Doctor or Master of Laws levels.
Georgetown’s JD program offers major areas of study in International and Comparative Law, in addition to International/National Security Law. At the LL.M. level, students may study Global Health Law, International Business and Economic Law, and Global Health Law and International Institutions. In addition to a comprehensive study abroad program, students can also choose to pursue a joint J.D./LL.M. degree in International Business and Economic Law or a dual master’s degree in International Affairs and Law.
While U.S. News & World Report and other publications and websites that rank law schools can be a good place for students to begin their research into law programs, prospective law school applicants should note that the American Bar Association does not endorse any rankings of law school programs, nor does the organization rank law degree programs itself. Students interested in studying any legal specialization should undertake their own careful research regarding which law school will be a good fit for them personally and professionally, and should try to schedule an on-campus visit with law school representatives, if possible.
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Amy Martin - Amy Martin is a freelance writer who holds a Ph.D. in English Studies from Illinois State University. She taught literature and writing ...
