Although law students are required to take certain courses, they also can choose electives based on the field of law they'd like to pursue. Course topics may include Environmental and Land Use Law, which deals with energy laws and policies, or International Law, which features a curriculum based on international intellectual property and human rights laws. Business Law and Tax Law are also common fields of study.
Most law schools are three-year programs. First-year classes generally consist of basic classes, like Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Research and Writing. Second- and third-year courses are typically more specialized, consisting of upper-level courses and elective classes. At the Boston College School of Law, students must complete 85 credit hours to graduate. Graduation requirements, however, vary by institution.
Graduation from law school doesn't necessarily mean that one's training to become a lawyer is complete. Many law schools, such as that at Mississippi College, offer occasional seminars to keep law professionals up to date on changes in the judicial system. These seminars are also opportunities to network with fellow professionals to develop new contacts. Seminars typically last for several hours and meet requirements set fourth in the Rules and Regulations for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education in a particular U.S. state.
In most law schools, the mentoring doesn't end after the student completes the program. Many offer career service departments, where professors and faculty members help connect students with potential jobs, internships and career fair opportunities. Professors often offer to proofread resumes, engage in mock interviews and other preparation activities to see that students find a job either before or soon after graduation.