Academics
Learning for the 21st Century Lawyer
A dynamic, hands-on approach to legal education. Be ahead of the curve by combining a robust knowledge of legal theory with profession-ready skills. Thrive in a challenging academic environment within a supportive community. Practice Greatness and play a critical role on the world stage or by serving your local community. At Penn State Dickinson Law, we empower you to choose your own path. From here, your journey continues.
What it means to Practice Greatness.
We emphasize a hands-on learning approach that will help you be profession-ready: combining a thorough knowledge of legal theory with the skills and practical experience needed to succeed in the legal field. We were among the first law schools to offer in-house legal clinics. We've been teaching future lawyers this way from the beginning, and as the first law school in Pennsylvania, that means more than 190 years of experiential legal education.
Rigor without reprehension.
This is a highly challenging environment—but it’s also highly supportive. Our robust curriculum begins with the fundamentals and advances to in-depth knowledge while also teaching extralegal core competencies such as leadership, project management, cultural competence, and problem-solving so you can apply what you learn in the real world. As you progress, your courses and experiential learning opportunities grow with you so that when you graduate, you'll have the skills and knowledge to launch a successful legal career.
“The Lawyer As...”
Pick your path. Follow it. Our electives are organized by the way lawyers use their training rather than in traditional silos. They’re yours to explore during your second and third years at Dickinson Law.
Our Programs
J.D. Program
The Penn State Dickinson Law J.D. Program is a three-year, full-time course of study, a comprehensive legal education designed for you to achieve the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to succeed as a 21st century lawyer.
LL.M. Program
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at Penn State Dickinson Law is a flexible, one-year program that welcomes legal professionals worldwide and will prepare you to enter or advance your career in law, government, academics, and non-governmental organizations.
S.J.D. Academic Program
Penn State Dickinson Law offers a limited-residency, three-year S.J.D. program that allows students to pursue supervised research leading to the production of a dissertation that should serve as an original and valuable contribution to legal scholarship.