Some schools admit only those students who have already completed that particular school's master's program in law. All are likely to expect the equivalent of a master's degree in law to have been completed somewhere. Exceptionally strong academic and professional work are required. The minimum residence requirement for doctoral programs in law is usually one academic year. The remainder of the program involves independent research working toward the dissertation, which may take one to three more years.
Most programs also require an oral examination.
There are also short-term programs, usually about 30 days in length, which provide visits to US legal institutions. Doctor of Comparative Law Qualifying to Practice Law in the U.S. Permission to practice law in the US is granted by the courts of each of the various states. For precise details on state bar admissions requirements, the candidate must contact the law examiners in a given state. The Association of American Law Schools One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 370 Washington, DC 20036. Even if admitted to the bar, it is not likely that a non-US trained lawyer will succeed on the bar examinations.