Two-Year J.D. Applicants
How to Apply: Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers
Please review the application instructions, English proficiency requirements and tuition information on this page as you begin the application process for the Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers program.
Application Instructions
Foreign-trained lawyers applying for admission to the Two-Year J.D. program should submit the following items after registering with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at LSAC.org:
- Completed online application by April 1, 2024 deadline:
- To apply for the Two-Year J.D. program, please fill out the KU Law J.D. application at LSAC.org. Be sure to check the "Two-Year J.D." box on your application.
- Include official transcripts from all undergraduate and law school programs attended.
- A personal statement: Your personal statement is your opportunity to share with the Admissions Committee your significant personal, social or academic experiences that demonstrate why you are interested in attending law school and what qualities you will bring to our campus. Please attach a two- to three-page, double-spaced statement reflecting your interest in seeking a J.D. and in joining our community.
- Resume: Please attach a resume to your application that includes all of your relevant education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, scholarships, awards and other activities that reflect your background and experience.
- Include at least two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to pursue advanced graduate work.
- The $55 non-refundable application fee: The application fee should be paid online through your LSAC.org account. Get information about fee waivers.
Upon admission, you will be required to submit financial documents verifying that you have savings to cover the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, living expenses and mandatory health insurance) for the academic year in which you will be enrolling. You will be required to submit these documents before an I-20 form will be issued to you.
Taking the LSAT
The LSAT exam is a required part of admission to the Two-Year J.D. program. The LSAT is administered in many cities around the world. A foreign-trained lawyer or current law student should plan ahead and take the LSAT in advance of applying to KU Law. Although the LSAT is required for admission, there is no minimum LSAT score required for entry into the Two-Year J.D. program.
What is the LSAT exam?
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day, standardized test administered at designated testing centers throughout the world. It is offered eight times per year in the United States and Canada. The test is an integral part of the law school admission process in the United States, Canada, and a growing number of other countries. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants.
KU Law recommends that the LSAT be taken no later than January for admission the following fall. However, taking the test earlier — in June, September or December — is advised.
Complete information on the LSAT exam is available through LSAC.
How to Prepare for the LSAT
Do not take the test without preparing for it! Understanding the skills tested on the exam and practicing those skills is essential for performing well. Students who take the test “cold” often perform below what is required for admission. The law school highly recommends the Official LSAT® Prep | Khan Academy test program, a free, comprehensive LSAT prep program developed by LSAC in partnership with the non-profit Khan Academy. The key is to find a program that teaches you the test and provides opportunities to practice the types of questions on the exam.
How to Register for the LSAT
You can register for the LSAT exam at LSAC.org.
Proof of English Proficiency
Except for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, proficiency in English is a requirement for all Two-Year J.D. candidates. Foreign students who speak English as a first language, or who obtained a law degree at an institution with instruction in all courses in English, may have the TOEFL requirement waived. For all other international students, students must submit a TOEFL score report.
Students with an iBT TOEFL score above 95 are presumptively proficient. Students with scores below 95 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to attend KU’s Legal English Program prior to and/or during their enrollment.
LSAC's TOEFL code for the CAS is 0058.
KU Law also accepts IELTS and deems students with an overall score of 7.0 or better as presumptively proficient. Students with an overall score below 7.0 will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to attend English language classes prior to and/or during their enrollment.
Tuition & Fees for Two-Year J.D. Students
For the fall and spring semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition is $1,073 per credit hour for newly enrolled international students.
All law students pay a required Health & Wellness Fee of $482 per year and a required Student Fee of $562 per year. These fees entitle the student to course instruction, dispensary care for ordinary illnesses and special medical care at nominal rates, the use of the Kansas Union, and admission at reduced prices to most campus events, such as concerts, plays, films, lectures and athletic events.
Total tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year will be $32,161 for first-year international students.
Two-Year J.D. Tuition & Fees Summary: 2024-2025
The table below outlines tuition and fees for non-resident and Kansas resident students pursuing the Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers during the 2024-2025 academic year.
| Estimated Annual Expenses | Kansas Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per credit hour (29 credit hours in first year) | $847 | $1,073 |
| Health & Wellness Fee | $482 | $482 |
| Student Fee | $562 | $562 |
| Total for Tuition/Fees | $25,607 | $32,161 |
| Room and Board | $11,598 | $11,598 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,240 | $3,240 |
| Transportation | $3,474 | $3,474 |
| Books | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| Cost of Attendance | $45,459 | $52,013 |
*Costs for room and board, personal expenses, transportation and books are estimates determined by the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Review the Estimated Cost of Attendance from the Office of Financial Aid.
International Scholar Scholarships
International students applying for the Two-Year J.D. program are automatically considered for the International Scholars Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 per year for qualified applicants. The Admissions Committee will consider candidates for the award based on the following criteria:
- Strong academic performance as evidenced by transcripts and TOEFL results
- Geographic diversity
Extending to a Third Year
Students who have been admitted to or are already pursuing the Two-Year J.D. for Foreign-Trained Lawyers may elect to remain for a third year in order to complete additional coursework to complete the degree. Students wishing to extend their J.D. studies to a third year may do so with the approval of the Associate Dean for International & Comparative Law.
