A student's perspective
"I’m really glad I decided to go to Akron Law. I’m benefitting from a good, affordable and flexible program that allows me to earn a J.D. in two years. I will return to my career as a diplomat better equipped, having Peruvian and American law degrees."
Benefits of the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys
Save a significant amount of money as well as time.
In only two years, you can obtain a J.D. degree from Akron Law for less than $60,000 in total tuition and fees. This is equal to the cost of some one-year LL.M. degree programs and less than half the cost of J.D. programs at many other law schools. Plus, the cost of living in Akron is very affordable, much lower than most other major cities across the country.
View Current Tuition and Fees
Start law school in the fall or spring.
At Akron Law, you can begin classes in January (spring start) or in August (fall start), the traditional start time.
Learn more about the Spring Start option
Enhance your credentials, employment prospects and professional opportunities by earning an American law degree.
A J.D. degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school is valued by law firms, businesses, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations around the world. It is much more attractive to employers than an LL.M. degree.
Acquire in-depth knowledge of U.S. law and increase your chances of passing the bar exam.
Instead of only taking a short, introductory course on the American legal system, as is the practice in most LL.M. programs, you will take all the required first-year courses together with American J.D. students. Also, starting your first year you will benefit from our free, comprehensive bar exam preparation program through our partnership with Themis, one of the country's leading bar exam review services.
Learn more about our bar exam support
Benefit from extensive legal writing and research opportunities.
You will take valuable legal writing and research courses taught by experts who have practiced and published in various areas of law.
Participate in all student activities.
You can join our moot court and trial teams, gain practical skills in our seven live-client clinics, and benefit from externships and career counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys
Eligibility
Questions and answers related to program eligibility.
The 2-Year International JD program is designed for students who have earned a first degree in law (at minimum, equivalent to a four-year US bachelor's degree) from outside the United States that qualifies them to practice law in their country. In many countries, this degree is an LL.B. or its equivalent. Final eligibility is determined through LSAC as part of the application process, so Akron Law cannot make a final eligibility determination by email or through an informal review of documents.
Non-native English speakers must submit proof of English language proficiency. For the 2-Year International JD program, applicants may satisfy this requirement by submitting one of the following accepted scores:
TOEFL
IELTS
Akron Law does not accept other English proficiency exams or alternative documentation in place of one of these scores. TOEFL/IELTS waivers are not granted for international students.
The required TOEFL/IELTS scores are:
TOEFL iBT: 5.5 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026
TOEFL iBT: 102 for tests taken prior to January 21, 2026
TOEFL paper-based test: 610 for tests taken prior to January 21, 2026
IELTS: 7.5
No. Akron Law does not offer conditional admission for the 2-Year International JD program.
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency before they can be admitted to the program.
Application Process
Questions and answers related to the application process.
(Click here to learn more about how to apply.)
Yes. We would be happy to speak with prospective students and answer questions about Akron Law’s programs. Students may use the visit request form to schedule a virtual meeting with the admissions team.
Click here to access the virtual visit request form.
Application deadlines vary by start term. Students should review Akron Law’s application process page for the most current deadline information.
Students who will need a visa should apply as early as possible to allow enough time for the visa process after admission. Akron Law does not accept late applications.
Click here to view current application deadlines.
No. The LSAT and GRE are not required as entrance exams for admission to the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys.
However, non-native English speakers must submit proof of English language proficiency. Applicants may satisfy this requirement by submitting one of the following accepted scores:
TOEFL
IELTS
Akron Law does not accept other English proficiency exams or alternative documentation in place of one of these scores. TOEFL/IELTS waivers are not granted for international students.
The required TOEFL/IELTS scores are:
TOEFL iBT: 5.5 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026
TOEFL iBT: 102 for tests taken prior to January 21, 2026
TOEFL paper-based test: 610 for tests taken prior to January 21, 2026
IELTS: 7.5
All applications for the 2-Year International JD program must be submitted through LSAC, and LSAC requires applicants to use the Credential Assembly Service, also known as CAS.
This requirement cannot be waived. Applicants must apply through LSAC and use CAS even if they have already had their academic documents or credentials evaluated through another service, such as WES or ECE.
Applicants to the Two-Year JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys can check their application status through LSAC’s Applicant Status Online portal (link below).
If any required materials are missing, Akron Law will contact the applicant. Applicants do not need to email separately to confirm each individual item or the completion of their application.
Akron Law cannot expedite LSAC’s processing time. Applicants should submit materials as early as possible and allow enough time for LSAC processing, especially for international transcripts and credential evaluation, which can take several weeks.
Click here to view your JD applicant status online portal.
Note: Applicants to the MSL or LL.M. program will receive an email from the Office of Admissions of its admission decision. If you have questions about the status of your application, please contact Director Misty Franklin at misty@uakron.edu.
Yes. Admitted students are required to submit a one-time, non-refundable $350 enrollment deposit, which is called a “seat deposit.”
If the student enrolls at Akron Law, the $350 deposit will be applied toward the student’s first semester tuition and fees. If the student chooses not to enroll at Akron Law, the seat deposit is forfeited.
The Two-Year International JD is an advanced standing program for students who already have a first degree in law from another country. Students are able to complete the JD in two years because Akron Law may transfer up to 29 credits from the student’s first law degree as elective credits. These credits replace the third year of the traditional three-year JD program.
Students in the 2-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys still complete Akron Law’s traditional first-year JD curriculum. This first year provides the foundation in U.S. law. During the second year, students complete additional required courses and may also have the opportunity to choose some elective courses.
The maximum number of credits Akron Law may transfer is 29 credits, which is the maximum allowed under American Bar Association rules. Prior credits from a first law degree do not expire. However, the transfer-credit evaluation is not completed before admission. Students admitted to the 2-Year International JD program generally receive the full 29 transfer credits from their first law degree.
An LL.M. does not provide additional advanced standing in this program. If a student has both a first degree in law and an LL.M., Akron Law cannot transfer additional credits from the LL.M. Students who completed foundational U.S. law coursework in an LL.M. program are still required to complete Akron Law’s first-year JD curriculum.
Visa and immigration questions should be directed to the University’s International Center. This includes questions about F-1 status, visa appointments, immigration documents, I-20 requirements, OPT, CPT, H-1B sponsorship, permanent resident status, and work authorization.
Students are responsible for understanding the visa process in their home country, including how long it may take to schedule a visa appointment. Visa timelines vary widely by country, so students who will need a visa should begin the law school application process as early as possible and should begin the visa application process as soon as possible after admission.
International Center contact:
immigration@uakron.edu
https://www.uakron.edu/international/
Program Offerings
Questions and answers about the opportunities available in the two-year JD international JD program for foreign trained attorneys.
The 2-Year International JD program is a fully in-person, full-time program. It is designed to be completed on a full-time schedule, which is especially important for students who are studying in the United States on a student visa and must maintain full-time enrollment status.
Students who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or green card holders may have more flexibility to pursue a part-time JD option. Students interested in a part-time evening format should review Akron Law’s Part-Time / Blended Online JD program for more information.
Akron Law offers several joint degree options for JD students. Students interested in combining the JD with another graduate program should review Akron Law’s Joint Degree Programs page.
Students interested in a joint degree should understand that any scholarship awarded by the law school applies only to the law school portion of the degree. Law school scholarships cannot be used toward the graduate degree portion of a joint degree program. Questions about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships, or funding for the graduate degree must be directed to the appropriate graduate program or the Graduate School.
Please note that students who require a visa must be admitted to both the JD and the masters level program at the same time in order to be granted the required length of time on the visa to complete both programs. It may be more challenging to be granted a visa extension if a student applies to add a masters level program after being admitted to only the JD program.
Akron Law does not offer doctoral-level law programs, such as a PhD in Law or an SJD.
A student’s ability to work while enrolled depends on immigration status.
Students studying on a visa should contact the University’s International Center for guidance on work authorization before accepting any employment. On-campus employment opportunities may be available after enrollment, but Akron Law does not place students into those positions.
Students who are not studying on a student visa generally have the same work options as other JD students. First-year JD students may work up to 20 hours per week, although most students are strongly encouraged not to work more than 10–12 hours per week because of the demands of law school. After the first year, there is not a law school limit on work during the semester.
International Center contact:
immigration@uakron.edu
https://www.uakron.edu/international/
All Akron Law students have opportunities to build practical legal experience through clinics, externships, pro bono work, student organizations, advocacy competitions, and career development programming.
International students interested in employment, internships, summer placements, or practical training should work closely with Akron Law’s Career Services office and, when applicable, the University’s International Center to understand available opportunities and any work authorization requirements.
Students interested in Akron Law’s LL.M. options should review Akron Law’s LL.M. and MSL information page.
Students may also contact:
Misty Franklin
Director of Online Education & Masters of Studies in Law Program
330-972-6456
misty@uakron.edu
Cost and Funding
Questions and answers related to the cost of attendance and options for funding.
Tuition and fee information is available on the Akron Law Tuition and Fees page. The 2-Year International JD follows the same tuition and fee structure as the regular JD program, but the program is completed in two years instead of three.
Questions about I-20 financial documentation and visa-related financial requirements are handled by the university’s International Center. Akron Law cannot advise students on I-20 requirements.
International Center contact:
immigration@uakron.edu
https://www.uakron.edu/international/
Federal financial aid eligibility depends on a student’s citizenship or immigration status. U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents may be eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Students studying on a visa generally do not qualify for U.S. federal financial aid.
Students in the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys are not eligible for the same merit-based scholarship structure offered to regular incoming JD students. One major financial benefit of the Two-Year program, however, is the structure of the program itself. Because Akron Law may transfer up to 29 credits from the student’s first law degree, students complete the JD in two years instead of three. Not paying for a third year of law school is a significant cost savings built into the program.
Scholarship funding for the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys is very limited. In recent years, the highest awards for the strongest candidates have generally been around $5,000 per year at most.
Akron Law does not offer full funding, graduate assistantships, or research assistantships for this program.
The University of Akron does offer payment options. Click here to learn more about the payment plan.
Bar Exam Eligibility
Questions and answers related to bar exam eligibility for graduates of Akron Law's various programs.
Graduates of the Two-Year International JD Program for Foreign Trained Attorneys earn a full U.S. Juris Doctor degree, which is the qualifying law degree for sitting for a bar exam in the United States. This means graduates are eligible to sit for the bar exam in any US jurisdiction.
An LL.M. does not provide the same bar eligibility options as a JD. LL.M. graduates are much more limited in where they may be eligible to sit for a U.S. bar exam. Only some jurisdictions may allow bar eligibility through an LL.M., and those rules vary by state. In many cases, even if you are able to sit for the bar exam with an LL.M., it may be difficult to secure employment, as most law firms are seeking candidates with a JD.
Bar admission rules are set by each jurisdiction’s board of bar examiners, not by Akron Law. Students are responsible for reviewing the rules in the state where they hope to practice.
Students should also understand that bar eligibility is separate from employment authorization. International students who require work authorization after graduation will need to secure employment with an employer that is willing and able to sponsor or support the appropriate employment visa process.
MSL graduates cannot sit for a U.S. bar exam based on the MSL degree. The MSL is not a JD and is not designed for students who want to become licensed attorneys. It is a master’s degree for students who want legal knowledge for careers in law-related, regulated, or professional fields.
An LL.M. does not provide the same bar eligibility options as a JD. LL.M. graduates are much more limited in where they may be eligible to sit for a U.S. bar exam. Only some jurisdictions may allow bar eligibility through an LL.M., and those rules vary by state. In many cases, even if you are able to sit for the bar exam with an LL.M., it may be difficult to secure employment, as most law firms are seeking candidates with a JD.
Bar admission rules are set by each jurisdiction’s board of bar examiners, not by Akron Law. Students are responsible for reviewing the rules in the state where they hope to practice.
Students should also understand that bar eligibility is separate from employment authorization. International students who require work authorization after graduation will need to secure employment with an employer that is willing and able to sponsor or support the appropriate employment visa process.