Study Law at New York State University

New York State University is a comprehensive system of 64 institutions that come under the state of New York. This includes universities, community colleges, and other colleges providing around 4,372 undergraduate majors and over 700 online majors for both domestic and international students. Around 96,000 degrees are granted by SUNY every year. The institutions under this system provide certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degrees at an undergraduate level along with master’s and doctoral degrees at a graduate level.

Candidates who wish to study law under one of the institutions of SUNY will be able to check for specializations and course content of their choice before applying for the same. Law degrees of all levels are provided by the institutions here with a global teaching approach that guarantees employment in the top 250 law firms in the country. The only university at SUNY that offers law programs is the University of Buffalo.

Eligibility for Law Programs at University of Buffalo

The eligibility requirements to enroll in law programs is dependent on the university/college and the educational level for which candidates are applying. Most law schools will require candidates to have completed a bachelor’s degree in any subject related to this field. Universities will have general requirements that one ought to meet irrespective of the variables one has to consider. These include-

• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Educational Transcripts
• LSAT Scores
• Application Essay

Cost of Studying Law at University of Buffalo

The cost of studying law programs at the University of Buffalo is dependent on the program the candidate has chosen. It is also dependent on whether the candidate is a resident or non-resident of New York. The fee details for the programs are as follows-

Program	In-State Fee	Out-of-State Fee
JD & LLM	$25,410	$30,250
JSD	$11.310	$23,100

Law Programs at University of Buffalo-SUNY

The law school at the University of Buffalo is the only law school in New York’s State University system. The fee for studying here is around $25,500 for in-state students and around $30,500 for out-of-state students per year and the school has a student-faculty ratio of around 6:1. Most often students enroll here for dual degrees that combine a JD degree with programs like MBA and Doctor of Pharmacy. The best specializations that one can take from this institution include constitutional law, criminal law, environmental law, international law, etc.

Programs	Duration	Credits
JD Degree	3 years
BA-JD Degree	6 years	90
LLM	1 year	27
JSD	3 years	27

JD Program

The JD program at the University of Buffalo has a 3-year duration and includes a LAWR program which stands for Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research Program. This program will consist of moot court and trial experiences, professional development initiatives, and even published journals as part of this program. The concentrations that are offered include advocacy, criminal law, cross-border legal studies, family law, intellectual property & privacy, international law, etc.

3+3 BA-JD

This program is a combination of a 3-year bachelor’s program which is required for taking a JD and a JD degree. Candidates who are taking a bachelor’s degree in any of the partner institutions of the University of Buffalo will be able to enroll for a JD degree here given that they have completed a minimum of 90 credits combining their residency credits, and advanced placement credits, and transfer credits. They will also have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above to be eligible for the program.

Candidates who have enrolled in this program will be able to complete both degrees in 6 years instead of the 7 years that it generally takes.

LLM Programs

Candidates who wish to take an LLM program from this institution will be able to either take a General LLM or specialize in subjects like criminal law, cross-border, or environmental law. The program includes an experiential capstone course, a research course, core courses, and other related subjects. The program will have a duration of 1 to 2 years depending on how soon candidates can complete 24 credits of core courses and 3 credits in experiential learning.

JSD Program

This is the most advanced degree in law offered by the university. This degree is the Doctor of Juridical Science and requires candidates to complete 27 credits for course completion. The electives that one can choose from include administrative law, criminal procedure, environmental law, health law, immigration law, intellectual law, tax policy, labor law, etc. Candidates will also have to complete a thesis that is related to their dissertation project for course completion.

Scholarships Offered at University of Buffalo-SUNY

Scholarships offered through SUNY are generally provided by the different educational institutions that come under it. The candidates who have enrolled at the University of Buffalo will be able to apply for scholarships through the FAFSA. According to statistics, around 80 percent of the students that enroll here receive merit scholarships which range from $2,000 to full tuition depending on their academic brilliance. The scholarships that are offered through this institution do not depend on the yearly performance of the candidate. Hence, candidates who get scholarships will be receiving them for the entirety of their program.

Career Prospects after Studying Law in SUNY

The University of Buffalo has a separate department that offers career services to both current and previous students of the institution. Through this portal, students can receive career advice and guidance regarding their career advancements in the field. The same platform allows employers to hire excellent candidates that suit the job titles they are looking to fill.

Current students will be able to benefit from career panels and programs, mentor programs, individual career counseling, student interview programs, etc. Alumni from the campus have the option of looking for one-on-one counseling, reference resources, resume review, cover letter review, etc. by contacting this department. They will also be able to list recruiting options for existing students on this platform. The institution also arranges a virtual career fair where prospective employers can meet students and hire them for their law firms.