Pre-Law
School of Law
304 O Brian Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716.645.2060
Fax: 716.645.6378
Web: www.law.buffalo.edu/site/index.html
About the Department
Since its founding in 1887, the University at Buffalo School of Law -- the State University of New York's only law school -- has established an excellent reputation and is widely regarded as a leader in legal education. Its cutting-edge curriculum provides both a strong theoretical foundation and the practical tools graduates need to succeed in a competitive marketplace, wherever they choose to practice. A special emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, public service, and opportunities for hands-on clinical education makes UB’s School of Law unique among the nation's premier public law schools.
While the first-year program includes traditional legal courses in civil procedure, torts, contracts, property, criminal law, constitutional law, and ethics, in the second and third years students can choose from a dozen curricular concentrations that allow for in-depth study. Moreover, each student has the opportunity to craft a custom-made curriculum beyond the selected concentrations, drawing from numerous offerings to build a personalized sequence of courses and experiences.
While pre-law studies is not an academic major or formal academic program at the University at Buffalo, we offer a wide variety of support for students interested in pursuing graduate study in law. Specialized programming and services for students who self identify as pre-Law are coordinated each semester by the Pre-Law Student Services office.
The university has recently created a Guaranteed Admission Program to the law school for students who declare an interest in pre-law prior to their matriculation, and who have earned a 93 on the HAS, as well as a 1350 on the SAT or a 30 on the ACT. More information regarding this program can be obtained by contacting the Pre-Law Student Services office, the Law school, or the University Honors Program.
Law schools traditionally seek candidates from diverse educational backgrounds who have demonstrated their ability to achieve success through rigorous courses of study. Well-developed skills in the areas of critical analysis, logical reasoning, and written and oral expression are essential for law school success. These qualities can be obtained through the various majors in the College of Arts and Sciences or the professional schools here at the University at Buffalo.
Making a connection with the Pre-Law Student Services office early in one’s academic career could prove beneficial for Law school preparation and the application process. For aulitional information, students should visit the Pre-Law Web site.
Degrees Offered
Graduate: J.D., L.L.M., Advanced Certificate
About Our Degrees
The Law school offers a J.D., Master’s of Laws degree in Criminal Law, and General Master’s of Laws with a concentration in International Law. Aulitionally, the Law school offers several certificate of concentration programs: Affordable Housing, Community Economic Development, Criminal Law, Health Law, Civil Litigation, Education Law, Technology and Intellectual Property, Finance Transaction, Environmental Law, Family Law, International Law, Labor and Employment Law and Social Justice. Students can also pursue a Masters or Ph.D. in any discipline offered by the university. More specifically, we have established dual degree arrangements with programs in social work, sociology, applied economics, business administration, public health, and legal information in management and analysis.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.