Law Admission

Preparing the practice-ready lawyers of tomorrow.

For more than 100 years, Suffolk Law has produced some of the nation’s most distinguished legal professionals.

  • Tops for Skills Training. Only law school in the country ranked in the top 20% of all four legal skills categories (legal writing, clinics, trial advocacy, and dispute resolution) for 9 years in a row.
  • A Nationally Leading Innovator. Ranked multiple times as the nation’s number 1 law school in legal tech. Spotlighted by Bloomberg Law as a top law school innovator on two consecutive occasions.
  • Strong Bar Passage Rates. First-time bar rate of 82.4% in Massachusetts (July 2024).
  • Record-breaking Employment Outcomes. Within 10 months of graduation, the two most recent graduating classes (Classes of 2022 and 2023) had our strongest employment outcomes in at least 35 years, with more than 80% of graduates having full-time, long-term jobs where a JD is required or a significant advantage. Top-15 nationally for improvement in employment outcomes over the last four years.
  • Alumni Network/Impact. An impactful alumni base of more than 24,000 graduates, ranging from the judiciary and public service to international firms and the world’s most prominent companies.
  • Judicial Impact. 1 out of every 4 judges in Massachusetts graduated from Suffolk Law.
  • Patent Difference. Suffolk Law has the most patent law partners and associates in the Bay State’s largest firms.

With an emphasis on real world practice and experiential learning, Suffolk University—located at the geographic intersection of Boston’s government, business and healthcare industries—is the place to start, build, and launch a successful law career.

Suffolk University values an inclusive community and supports diversity among our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that our community is enriched by people of different backgrounds and cultures, and we are committed to building a culture of cooperation among diverse groups.

Start Law School in May or August 2025: Apply Now

U.S. News 2024 Best Law Schools Rankings

Recognizing Suffolk Law's Continued Excellence
# 3
Legal Writing
# 12
Clinical Program
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# 21
Dispute Resolution
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# 31
Trial Advocacy
# 26
Part-Time Law Program
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# 36
Intellectual Property Law

Earn Your JD Your Way - Explore Suffolk Law’s Degree Options

Named by PreLaw Magazine as one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Law Schools,” Suffolk University teaches leading-edge technique paired with immersive learning opportunities including civil and judicial externships and pro bono opportunities. Earn your degree on your terms with flexible degree options offering a JD degree in as few as two years and the option to select an area of focus or concentration from intellectual property to international law.

Suffolk Law faculty are outstanding in their fields. Learn from digital evidence and criminal procedure expert Christina Miller and finance litigator Maurice Dyson, just two of the dedicated scholars and experienced practitioners on the Suffolk Law faculty.

This traditional program allows JD students to earn degrees in six semesters of study. Full-time JD students have summers off for experiential learning—from externships and clinics to international study and practice.

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Evening JD students take a reduced schedule to earn a JD in eight semesters of study with all classes typically offered between 5:30 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. Accelerated evening students can graduate in as few as 2.5 years, while traditional evening students have summers off and graduate in four years.

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Classes begin in May for first-year accelerated JD students and continue year-round (summer, fall, spring) to allow for graduation one year sooner. All accelerated JD summer classes are held after 5:00 p.m. for day and evening students. Accelerated JD students take the same number of credits and pay the same per-semester tuition as traditional JD students. Available for day or evening students.

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Earn your JD with a mix of in-person and online classes in the new Hybrid Online JD Program. Take your first 30 credit hours in-person in Boston, then take a mix of in-person or online classes for the remainder of your JD. Available for full- or part-time evening students who achieve a 3.0 during their first year of law school. Review bar eligibility requirements for remote learners [PDF].

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Earn two degrees while at Suffolk Law: Fast-track your career by getting a master’s in business, finance, taxation, criminal justice, or other disciplines while earning your law degree. We offer two accelerated dual degree programs - JD/MBA and JD/Tax LLM - in which you can earn both degrees in three years.

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Ready to Apply?

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Application Dates & Deadlines

Suffolk Law reviews JD applications on a rolling basis beginning in November. Your application won't be reviewed by the Admission Committee until it is complete.

To learn about the parts of the application, visit our How to Apply page.

  • February 1 – Priority Application Deadline for Accelerated and Hybrid Enrollment
  • March 1 – Financial Aid Priority Filing Date
  • April 1 – Priority Application Deadline for August Enrollment

Suffolk Law students in a clinic.

Application Requirements

To apply for admission to Suffolk Law, access the application at LSAC.org.

Additional admission requirements:

  • LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next Exam
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
  • At least two letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts

 

Qualifications for Admission to the Bar

In addition to the bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

ABA Required Disclosures & Facts [PDF]

Receive Application Deadline Reminders

Share the best way to contact you, and our admission team will be in touch with reminders about upcoming law school dates and deadlines.

 

Suffolk Alumni Occupy Prominent Positions in Massachusetts and Beyond

One out of every four judges in Massachusetts graduated from Suffolk Law.

Four out of 11 Massachusetts district attorneys received a JD from Suffolk Law.

Suffolk Law has the most patent law partners and associates in the Bay State's largest firms.

Nearly half of Rhode Island's judges are Suffolk graduates.

Suffolk alumni are prominent figures in the legal world, serving as partners in the nation's top firms and leaders in associations that guide the profession.

Suffolk Law's 23,000 graduates can be found in every area of legal practice and in every corner of the world. They live in 50 states and 22 foreign countries, and they are vital leaders in business and government.

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Next Steps

Admission

Whether you're just starting your application or you're already accepted, we can guide you to the right place.

Why Suffolk Law?

Learn about Suffolk Law's experiential opportunities, from clinics and student groups to pro bono and international semester in practice.

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