While American law schools award Juris Doctor degrees, legal education programs in foreign countries may award different types of law degrees. In some foreign countries, students earn law degrees as undergraduates rather than pursue legal studies at graduate-level degrees. Traditionally, degrees in foreign law often have names other than Juris Doctor. In Canada, for example, law schools award LL.B. degrees. In 2008, however, the National Law Journal reported that law schools abroad have increasingly adopted the Juris Doctor model of legal education, even renaming their degrees to become JD degrees. While degrees in foreign law focus on each country's national laws and legal systems, the content and structure of foreign law degree programs may increasingly resemble JD programs.
Graduates with degrees in foreign law who would like to obtain American law licenses and practice law in the United States must fulfill the bar admission requirements set by their state's board of bar examiners or board of law examiners. The specific requirements depend on each U.S. state's policies. In New York, for example, interested bar applicants must complete an Online Foreign Evaluation Form and submit supporting documents with information regarding their studies in foreign law. The New York State Board of Law Examiners examines each foreign law graduate's evaluation materials to determine whether she can take the state bar examination. The evaluation includes comparison of the applicant's degree in foreign law with Juris Doctor degrees offered by American law schools.
Individuals who have already earned degrees in foreign law from non-U.S. law schools can pursue additional studies in the United States. Through Master of Law (LL.M.) programs, foreign students can enroll at American law schools. LL.M. programs often offer comparative views of U.S. and foreign legal systems. Individuals who complete LL.M. degrees may be able to use those academic credits to fulfill bar admission requirements for holders of degrees in foreign law.
American law students can also study foreign law through concurrent degree programs, if available, or study abroad opportunities. Some law schools offer specialized programs through which American students can earn degrees in foreign law from international institutions along with their Juris Doctor degrees. Cornell Law School, for example, provides opportunities to earn dual degrees from Cornell and a French or German law school. Students who wish to only earn JD degrees but also study foreign law may benefit from a semester or summer program spent abroad. Through study abroad programs, students can immerse themselves in foreign legal systems for short periods of time. For example, Stanford Law School allows students to study in Mexico, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, Japan and other foreign countries.