3 reasons to study at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law

17 Nov 2017

“Temple Law helped to shape the American lawyer in me.” – Stefania A. Rosca

A US law degree is unquestionably the key to entering a prestigious law career. But, choosing where to study can be tough, especially when there’s a whole country to explore. There is, after all, so much to consider – from general course quality to the city’s allure.

So, you’ve decided to start your adventure in the US as an international law student. Naturally, you want it all: exceptional educators, an exciting city, affordability, a solid support system, and more.

Few universities are able to deliver the whole package. The Beasley School of Law at Temple University is dedicated to providing an unsurpassed experience for international students.

Here are three reasons why you should study Law at Temple University:

1. Individualised support for international students

It’s no secret that a law degree can be stressful, and this experience can sometimes be intensified for the international student; being away from home, family, and your regular support network can be hard – especially for those also grappling an unknown foreign language.

That is why Temple Law School invests extra time in international students, from day one all the way through to graduation and beyond.

Professors schedule weekly office hours for those seeking guidance on anything from deciding which course to study, research interests, or career ideas. The school’s Career Services further advise students on life after graduation, helping you polish your resume, refine your job search, and even prepare for the all-important job interview.

“At Temple you do not feel like a stranger and the administration is so close to students and their needs.

“I encourage everybody to come and be part of this towering institute which enables students from all over the world to…enter the legal world with up-to-date legal knowledge and confidence,” said Temple graduate, Mohammad Alsawaeer, who now owns his own law firm.

The school provides a two-week introduction to the world of US law, consisting of seminars and an orientation program. It takes place in August, before the start of Fall semester. The program involves field trips, workshops, presentations, and simulated assignments to help ease the transition into US law.

“Most international students come from a civil law system, and understanding how to think in a common law system takes some time and effort.

“I was lucky to have talented, dedicated and unbiased professors, who took extra time with me and my never-ending questions,” said LLM graduate, Stefania A. Rosca.

“It also helped me define my goals and understand the path to pursuing them.

“Third, it helped me find an amazing job, and while many would list this first, I believe I wouldn’t and couldn’t be where I am now without points 1 and 2.”

The Graduate and International Programs Office organises informational workshops for students, as well as professional networking events, individual academic guidance and personal support to international LLM participants.

Temple Law School also runs a Writing Centre for international applicants. The centre provides many academic support services including writing guidance on legal research, writing classes, and tips on adjusting to the US law system, as well as help on expanding their law student social network.

2. Experiential learning opportunities

It’s crucial that Law graduates are trained thoroughly in both legal theory and practice. This is why LLM international students utilise Temple’s experiential learning classes to advance their US legal training. There are a number of practical learning programs to embark on at the school…

During the fall semester, students can choose to take a Federal Evidence class that helps students prepare for the spring semester’s Introduction to Trail Advocacy (ITA) class. In addition to traditional lectures, students also undertake small performance classes on a weekly basis. These classes include trail simulation exercises that help students hone their US litigation skills.

There are other courses available for LLM students that feature practical components including real estate drafting, mediation advocacy, interviewing, negotiating, and counselling.

Most notably, the Law Clinical classes form a large part of experiential learning at Temple. They provide practical training for LLM students. Licensed attorneys supervise students as they partake in weekly sessions in a range of legal settings.

Here, clinical courses are varied. Students take classes ranging from Housing Court Mediation, to Red Cross Disaster Relief, and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. These involve working in the real world to use the knowledge acquired in lectures.

This degree curriculum allows for flexibility. Temple law students can tailor their course to meet their own professional goals. This means you can focus on whichever area you feel will benefit you most; either pursuing specialized law subjects for your career plan, or choosing the subjects that best prepares you for a US state bar exam.

3. Low cost of living, high quality of life

Philadelphia is a cosmopolitan city, buzzing with people from all walks of life, and is the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the US. It welcomes food-lovers, history fanatics, artists, athletes, and more. The city boasts a unique blend of historical, cultural, and recreational resources.

Yet, crucially, all of this comes at a much lower cost than other large metropolitan cities like Boston, New York, and Washington DC.

Philadelphia is well-connected. You don’t need to drive to travel both within and outside of the city. This metropolis boasts an inexpensive, regular, and widespread public transport system within its borders. The system connects to Amtrak rail service lines along the north-eastern US transit corridor, so other cities are easily accessible.

Not only is it affordable to live in Philadelphia, but tuition at Temple is reasonably priced. The university’s law school is rated as a best-value school, with tuition fees much lower than most other law schools of a similar size in the north-eastern region of the US.

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