Earn Your U.S. J.D. in Two Years

Nova Southeastern’s Shepard Broad College of Law is an international community committed to global education and domestic diversity. Our accelerated J.D. program for foreign lawyers enables you to earn your U.S. law degree in as little as 24 months following your first law degree. As an international student, you have access to the accelerated J.D. program that allows you to skip the LSAT exam and take the BAR exam in any state.

Fast Facts

Important Deadlines

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply you must have earned a first degree in law or completed at least one year of legal study at an accredited university in a jurisdiction outside the U.S. For foreign attorneys, first law degree designations vary by country. For a list of law degrees that meet this requirement, refer to the Minimum Degree Requirements by Country chart located on the Law School Admission council website.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is not required. However, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if you are from a nation in which English is not the primary language of instruction.

NSU Law also accepts scores from the IELTS examination. An interview with NSU Law personnel will be conducted prior to admission offer.

Minimum Required Scores

Paper-based TOEFL – 600

Internet-based TOEFL – 100

Computer-based TOEFL – 250

IELTS – 7.0

How to Apply

Ready for the Next Step?

Here’s how to apply. If you have questions or need additional information about the application process, please contact NSU Law admissions.

Submit your application.

Submit the online NSU Law Foreign Lawyer Program Application available through the Law School Admission Council Electronic Application service at: https://www.LSAC.org.

Submit transcripts.

Transcripts from all your prior postsecondary academic studies must be submitted through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS). No other service will be accepted.

Submit your English score.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if you are from a nation in which English is not the primary language of instruction. NSU Law also accepts scores from the IELTS examination.

Submit your personal statement.

Submit your personal statement, which should not exceed two pages, explaining why you should be selected for admission (see application instructions for additional details).

Submit your resume.

Submit your resume which should include all post-secondary education information, employment history, extracurricular activities, and honors, awards, publications, and licensures.

Submit two letters of recommendation.

Submit two letters of recommendation from college professors, work colleagues, or employers who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive law program.

For Students Educated in China

Documentation

If you were educated in the People’s Republic of China, you must submit official degree certificates (zhuanke, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.) and graduation diplomas in Chinese for all programs undertaken, along with a complete and literal English translation.

Document Submission

All documents must be submitted to LSAC. Your issuing institution must submit your official college or university academic record (transcript) in Chinese showing all courses and grades for all years of study. You must also complete and submit a literal English translation. The academic record must be issued by the institution’s central administrative office responsible for preparing and verifying official student records. Documents issued by an individual academic department or by a notary public are not considered official.

For Students Educated in Cuba

If you were educated in Cuba, LSAC requires you to follow this two-step procedure to submit transcripts.

  1. Request Consultoria Juridica International (CJI) to send the following official documentation to LSAC via DHL express mail. Certificacion de notas y certificado de titulo issued by the university in Spanish and legalized by CJI, along with a CJI English translation of this documentation.
  2. Send LSAC a copy of your original Certificacion de notas y certificado de titulo as originally issued by the university.

Immigration Regulations

All international students must either obtain an F-1 visa to study at NSU or have visa status that permits a nonresident alien to study in the United States.

International students need to obtain an I-20 in order to apply for an F-1 (student visa) at the American Embassy in their home country. The Office of International Students and Scholars at NSU oversees issuing the I-20 when the following criteria are met:

  • Students must be officially accepted for admission to NSU, having met both academic and English requirements.
  • Students must indicate their acceptance for admission by submitting a $500 (USD) enrollment deposit. (Instructions for paying the deposit online are provided in your letter of admission.)
  • Full-time day students must demonstrate availability of funds dictated by the Office of International Students. An original bank statement or original letter on bank letterhead is required. 

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