Almost all law schools require coursework across basic areas of law as part of the first-year curriculum. These mandatory courses include torts, criminal law, civil procedure, contract law, constitutional law and property law.
During the first or second first year, most law schools require at least one intensive course in research, analysis and writing. Some programs combine this course with aspects of functional lawyering, such as fact-gathering, interviewing, counseling, negotiation and advocacy.
Most law schools require a course in professional responsibility (ethics for lawyers) to prepare students for the National Professional Responsibility Examination. Students usually take this examination during or after the second year, and a passing score is required to sit for most state bar examinations.
Many law schools enable a student to concentrate her studies in a particular area and receive a certificate of concentration. For example, Case Western Reserve University School of Law offers concentrations in international law, business organizations, litigation, health law, public law, criminal law, and law, technology and the arts.
Many law schools offer clinics allowing students to represent real-life clients under supervision. For example, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law offers clinics in tax law, environmental law, family law, community economic development, health law and elder law.