Northeastern University School of Law is a law school in Boston known for building co-op placements into the JD, so students complete a year of full-time legal work before graduating. It offers the JD, an LLM for foreign-trained lawyers and a Master of Legal Studies, with a public interest focus. Choose it for a US law degree with extensive practical experience.
Boston, United States
Official website: northeastern.edu
The only US law school with four co-op placements in the JD
Consistently ranked among the top US schools for public interest law
Northeastern University, Boston
$45,000 – $65,000
All students, LLM and JD, before scholarships
$22,000 – $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on northeastern.edu before you apply.
LLM (for foreign-trained lawyers)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Master of Legal Studies
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
LLM in US Law (co-op option)
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Juris Doctor (JD)
DoctorateDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
Co-op legal placements with firms, courts, governments and NGOs.
Narrative evaluations instead of traditional grades.
Public interest and human rights law focus.
Graduates join law firms, public defender offices, courts and NGOs across the US.
LLM graduates can sit the New York bar exam if they meet its requirements.
Co-op employers often hire graduates after placements.
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The law school sits on Northeastern's urban campus, close to Boston's courts, law firms and state government.
Boston is a major legal, academic and policy centre. Rent is among the highest in the US.
Form I-20 issued by Northeastern
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
JD applications are usually due by 1 March for fall entry, and LLM applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with priority in early spring. International applicants should apply early to leave time for the visa.
The JD and LLM start in August. The Master of Legal Studies also has a January start.
You need an F-1 student visa. Northeastern issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend a visa interview.
The LLM, Master of Legal Studies and JD are the main programmes. The LLM needs a first law degree from outside the US; the JD needs a bachelor's degree and the LSAT or GRE. English tests are TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0.
Yes. The law school offers merit scholarships to JD and LLM students, assessed from the application. Check the school's financial aid pages for current awards.
