Military Law College

Hey folks! I'm really interested in the field of military law. Interested in learning about any military law programs at the undergraduate level that I should consider. Would this be done at a service academy, or is this more of a grad school thing? I'm kind of new to all this.

Hello! It's awesome to see your interest in military law. To answer your question, military law is more of a focus at the graduate level than the undergraduate level. There are very few, if any, undergraduate programs specifically dedicated to military law.

Typically, your journey toward a career in military law would consist of a few stages:

1. Undergraduate degree: You would first complete an undergraduate degree in any field that interests you. Many pre-law students might choose to major in Political Science, History, English, or Philosophy, but law schools accept students with all kinds of majors.

2. Applying to Law School: You will need to submit applications to law schools during your senior year or after graduation. Law schools typically require the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) for admission—although some schools accept the GRE—and use other factors such as GPA, letters of recommendation, and personal statements to evaluate applicants.

3. Law School & Military Law: Once in law school, you can seek out courses, internships, or clinics related to military law. Not all law schools offer coursework in military law, so be sure to do your research when choosing which schools to apply to.

In parallel to the law school application process, you may want to consider joining the JAG Corps (Judge Advocate General’s Corps) for whichever branch of the military you're interested in. The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the military where lawyers serve as military officers. Entry into the JAG Corps is highly competitive, and each branch of the military has its application process.

Joining the JAG Corps generally requires you to undergo an officer training course and then a specialized legal training course. After these courses, you would serve as a military lawyer for a required number of years.

So, you are correct that studying military law most commonly happens at the graduate level through law school and then further specialized training. Keep in mind that serving in JAG is a significant commitment. It's also always worth talking to current military lawyers or JAG recruiters to get a clearer picture of what the job entails.

Best of luck with your plans for the future!