University of Minnesota

Located in Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Law School was originally established in 1888. It has grown over the decades to become a celebrated institution with a student population of just under 700. Considered one of the smaller law schools, it has nearly 300 faculty members, 65 of whom are full time.

University of Minnesota Law School offers a wide variety of study options. Along with a traditional J.D. degree, students can also choose to complete joint degrees like a JD/MBA, JD/MA, or a JD/Ph.D. There are several required courses for first-year students, but they are able to choose between courses in corporate law, international law, civil procedure, or law perspectives as electives. Once they have completed their first year, students only have two mandatory classes. Many individuals choose to focus on a particular area of study. The most popular areas of study include environmental law, healthcare law, and international law. Minnesota Law is well-known for having a wide array of electives to choose from, with roughly 200 courses that students can select based on their interests.

Students can also take advantage of the 25 clinical courses offered. More than half of all law students participate in a clinical course before graduation. Students are able to take on real cases and clients to help them perfect their legal strategies. Also, students rarely have a hard time securing a spot in the clinic of their choice. There are 10 research centers and institutes at the University of Minnesota Law School, including the Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment and the Life Sciences, and the Human Rights Center. Nearly all students take advantage of moot court experiences or writing for a legal journal during their second year. There are many publications to choose from. “Minnesota Law Review” is the tenth most cited legal journal in the entire country. Students can also edit “Law and Inequality” and “Minnesota Journal of International Law.” More than 175 students work on these publications every year.

There are also many opportunities for learning outside the classroom or clinic setting. There are over 35 student organizations on campus, from the Interfaith Law League to T.O.R.T. which puts on the annual law school musical production. Individuals can also take advantage of study abroad programs. Minnesota Law offers programs in many countries, including Renmin University in Beijing, University of Uppsala in Sweden, and the Bucerius Law School in Germany. University of Minnesota Law School is praised for creating a tough academic curriculum, while also allowing students the chance to participate in extracurricular activities.