Laws

The Juris Doctor (JD) program at Emory University School of Law is a comprehensive, rigorous legal education designed to prepare students for a wide range of legal careers. Emory Law offers a distinctive academic environment that combines a strong foundation in core legal principles with experiential learning opportunities, fostering both theoretical understanding and practical skills. The JD curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective communication, equipping graduates to succeed in diverse legal settings such as private practice, public service, academia, and judiciary roles. Students benefit from a faculty renowned for both scholarly excellence and active engagement in legal practice, providing mentorship and insights into contemporary legal issues. Emory Law also offers flexible learning options, including full-time, part-time, and evening programs, allowing students to tailor their education to fit their personal and professional commitments.

The program includes a variety of specialized electives in areas such as constitutional law, corporate law, international law, environmental law, health law, and human rights, enabling students to develop expertise in their fields of interest. Practical skills are enhanced through clinics, internships, moot court competitions, and externships, providing hands-on experience that bridges classroom theory with real-world application. Emory Law’s commitment to public interest and social justice is reflected in numerous programs and initiatives, encouraging students to consider the broader societal impact of the law. The law school’s location in Atlanta offers unique opportunities for networking, internships, and employment within a thriving legal and business community.

Graduates of the Emory JD program are well-prepared to take the bar exam and pursue licensure, as well as to engage in meaningful legal work across various sectors. Emory University School of Law is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, collaborative community that values diversity and promotes a life-long commitment to learning and service. Whether students aspire to become judges, legal scholars, policymakers, or corporate counsel, the JD program at Emory provides a solid foundation for a successful legal career.

LLM students choose from three broad tracks, including a traditional LLM in general studies; one of six formal concentrations developed by the Emory Law faculty; or a joint LLM with Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. All graduates of the LLM program at Emory receive a diploma for a Master of Laws degree, regardless of concentration. 

Option 1: General Law

Students in general law design a course of study, drawing widely from Emory's many areas of expertise—including intellectual property law, international law, global health/health law, tax law, transactional law, and labor and employment law—to align their coursework with their goals. All courses are taken at Emory Law.

Option 2: Predesigned Concentrations

Students can select from six predesigned curricular paths.

• Transactional Law
• Law & Religion
• Human Rights Law
• Vulnerability & the Human Condition
• Public Law & Regulation
• Child Law & Policy

In addition, students may pursue a specialization in law and development.

Option 3: Joint LLM 

Students can pursue a joint LLM with a focus on international commercial law and international politics with our partner Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary. Students spend one full-time semester at CEU and one at Emory Law.

LLM Concentrations

The flexible LLM program allows you to customize coursework to fit your professional goals. You will join students from Emory Law's JD and graduate programs in foundational and elective courses you choose based on your individual areas of interest and expertise.

• Child Law and Policy Concentration
• Generalized Studies Concentration
• Human Rights Law Concentration
• Law and Religion Concentration
• Public Law and Regulation Concentration
• Transactional Law Concentration
• Vulnerability & the Human Condition Concentration
• Law and Development Specialization
• Joint LLM with Central European University

To be considered for admission into Emory Law’s LLM program, candidates must have received a first degree in law that allows them to practice law in their home country prior to LLM enrollment.

• US graduates: Applicants must have earned a JD degree.
• Foreign-educated lawyers: First law degree designations vary by country. For a list of law degrees that meet this requirement, please refer to the Minimum Degree Requirements by Country chart found on the LSAC website »

Admission is based on the applicant’s academic training, professional background, personal statement, and professional and academic references. Strong candidates will possess an excellent academic record and serious interest in experiencing legal education in a superior American educational environment.

Prospective LLM applicants should complete the online application and submit all supporting documents through LSAC. A complete application for the LLM program must include the following:

1. Emory Law Application Form through LSAC 
2. $85 Application fee paid via credit card through LSAC 
3. Personal statement which describes your objective in pursuing graduate legal study at Emory and highlights any experiences, qualifications or other information you believe to be relevant.
4. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
5. Undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts. Emory Law School requires the use of LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for transcript and credential evaluation.
6. Two letters of recommendation submitted via LSAC’s document assembly service. These should come from individuals who can speak to your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic setting.
7. TOEFL or IELTS score submitted via LSAC’s document assembly service (Foreign applicants only)

Scholarships

Emory Law has a limited number of scholarships available to highly qualified students. All applicants are considered for scholarship funding; there is no separate application process for scholarships. Students will be notified about any scholarship offer as part of their letter of acceptance. Note: All scholarships are unconditional. Scholarship students are required to maintain good academic standing

The Juris Doctor (JD) program at Emory University School of Law is a highly regarded postgraduate degree designed to prepare students for practice in the legal field. The program emphasizes a rigorous curriculum that combines foundational legal principles with practical skills, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of legal practice, academia, and public service. Students engaging in the JD program have access to a diverse array of courses covering areas such as constitutional law, criminal law, contracts, property law, torts, civil procedure, and administrative law, among others. Emory Law also offers specialized seminars, clinics, and externships that provide experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. The faculty comprises leading scholars and practitioners who foster an environment of academic excellence and professional development, encouraging critical thinking, ethical practice, and innovative problem-solving. Emory Law's location in Atlanta provides students with unique networking and internship opportunities within a vibrant legal community, including government agencies, non-profits, and corporate legal departments. The program emphasizes diversity, inclusiveness, and international engagement, preparing students for legal careers in a globalized world. Additionally, Emory Law offers various dual-degree options and interdisciplinary programs, enabling students to enhance their legal education with fields such as business, public health, or international affairs. The curriculum is designed to develop not only legal expertise but also leadership and communication skills vital for effective advocacy and negotiation. Graduates of the JD program often pursue careers in law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, academia, and corporate legal departments. Emory University School of Law is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive community, supporting students throughout their academic journey and into their professional lives.