Foreign Law Programs: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for internationally trained legal professionals, this program provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles, structures, and practical applications of U.S. and Canadian legal systems. It equips graduates with the analytical and interpretive skills necessary to navigate complex common law frameworks and engage effectively within North American legal environments.
- U.S. Constitutional Law: Explores the foundational framework of federal governance, individual rights, and the balance of powers among the branches of government.
- Legal Research and Writing in Common Law Systems: Develops proficiency in locating, analyzing, and articulating legal arguments using North American case law and statutory sources.
- Contracts and Property Law: Examines core legal doctrines governing agreements, ownership, and transfer of real and personal property under U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions.
- Administrative Law: Investigates the legal authority and procedures of government agencies, including rulemaking, adjudication, and judicial review.
- Comparative Legal Systems: Analyzes structural and philosophical differences between civil law traditions and the common law systems of the United States and Canada.
- Professional Responsibility and Ethics: Addresses the ethical obligations and professional standards expected of legal practitioners in North American legal practice.
Foreign Law Programs Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Foreign Law Programs Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Foreign Law Programs degrees, including Lawyers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 747,750 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers 23-1011 | $151,160 | $72,780 - $239,200 | 747,750 | $72.67 |
Foreign Law Programs Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $86,970 in Arkansas to $197,790 in California—a 127% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 747,750 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Foreign Law Programs by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 35 institutions offering Foreign Law Programs programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Foreign Law Programs is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (361 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (237 graduates), Northwestern University (217 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (179 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (120 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,567 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
|
361 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
237 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
|
217 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
179 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
120 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| George Mason University |
Master's
|
50 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
|
47 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Master's
|
45 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
30 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
27 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
27 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
|
26 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
25 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
21 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Master's
|
21 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
20 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
|
17 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
|
16 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
|
11 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
|
10 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
|
8 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
8 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Master's
|
6 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
6 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Master's
|
5 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| Brooklyn Law School (BLS) |
Master's
|
5 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | brooklaw.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
4 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Master's
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | South Royalton, Vermont | Private | vermontlaw.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
2 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Mitchell Hamline School of Law |
Master's
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | mitchellhamline.edu |
| Albany Law School |
Master's
|
2 | Albany, New York | Private | albanylaw.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
1 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Foreign Law Programs programs
How much can I earn with a Foreign Law Programs degree?
Salaries for Foreign Law Programs graduates vary by role and location. Lawyers earn a median of $151,160 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $197,790 compared to $86,970 in Arkansas. Approximately 747,750 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Foreign Law Programs programs?
Currently 35 accredited institutions offer Foreign Law Programs degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (361 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (237 graduates), and Northwestern University (217 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Foreign Law Programs growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 834 in 2010 to a peak of 1,835 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,567 in 2023-24. This represents a 88% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Foreign Law Programs degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Lawyers. Related occupations employ approximately 747,750 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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