Thomas R. Kline School of Law

About the School

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law was established in 2006, and was built on the strengths of Drexel University, including experiential education and the fields of engineering, science, business, and health care.

At the graduate level, the School offers:

• the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which has been designed to prepare law students for the challenges of 21st-century practice. Within the JD, students can elect to fulfill concentrations in business and entrepreneurship law, health law, intellectual property law, criminal law, and civil litigation and dispute resolution;
• a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program for individuals in other disciplines and professions who would benefit from focused legal knowledge in their field;
• a Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Practice for internationally trained attorneys that offers an optional focus on New York Bar Exam preparation;
• specialized LLMs for attorneys who want to dive deeply into one area of practice; and
• specialized Certificates for post-baccalaureate professionals looking to bolster knowledge in an emerging area.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law include knowledge of the law, training in practical skills, and commitment to professionalism. The Juris Doctor (JD) degree program offers a standard law school curriculum in combination with electives that strengthen knowledge in core and emerging fields, to ensure that its graduates are well-equipped to pass the bar examination upon graduation and to be competent legal professionals, regardless of their particular practice areas. Students may complete the JD on a full-time basis in either two or three years.

The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program and associated Certificates, designed for individuals who are not seeking to become attorneys, are intended to develop and improve career-related skills through the study of the legal system, legal writing, law, regulation, and policy. 

The Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Practice allows for a flexible curriculum or specialized tracks to target the student's goals for US practice or legal knowledge. LLM students can take advantage of experiential learning opportunities as well as courses designed to develop proficiency in English legal vocabulary.

The specialized LLMs are designed for practicing attorneys to develop expertise beyond the curriculum offered in their JD programs.  The programs are ideal for new and experienced attorneys who are looking for advancement in their organizations or who wish to explore trending areas of law and regulation more deeply.

Accreditation

The JD program at the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA does not offer accreditation to non-JD programs, but has acquiesced to the Master of Laws, Master of Legal Studies, and certificate programs offered by the Thomas R. Kline School of Law.