Penn State University is a tier one research university, ranked within the top 100 universities globally (QS 2022), and has a well-earned reputation for excellence. Penn State Dickinson Law is one of the most prestigious and longest-established law schools in the USA, and for over 185 years has educated notable attorneys, judges, corporate and government leaders, and legal professionals.

Throughout its rich 40-year history, the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at Dickinson Law has welcomed students from around the world who have come to advance their legal careers through direct access to world-class litigators and legal scholars, extensive opportunities for hands-on learning, and varied opportunities for academic concentration and scholarship. 

The Dickinson Law campus is located in Carlisle, PA, which is a small town of around 20,000 people that is consistently ranked as one of the most liveable places in the country. Carlisle is home to a great diversity of residents and institutions, with plenty of amenities and attractions along with a refreshingly low cost of living. It is an affordable option for law students from all backgrounds and offers a lot of benefits in addition to studying with Penn State’s highly distinguished academic faculty.

The campus sits within a region of natural beauty and diverse culture. Carlisle itself has a wonderful historic charm, with a wide selection of markets, galleries and shops as well as a variety of restaurants and places to relax. Dickinson Law is close to Harrisburg, the capital of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and its judicial, legislative, and executive offices. Larger population centres such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York City are all readily accessible by road or rail, giving students access to significant professional employment markets.

1. Dickinson Law ranks eighth in the nation in The National Law Journal Hiring Report for government and public interest employment. The Law School also earned an 'A' for trial advocacy, an 'A' for health law, an 'A-' for family law, an 'A-' for alternative dispute resolution, a 'B+' for practical training, and a 'B+' for public policy from preLaw magazine.
2. Affording law school isn’t easy, but we make it as seamless as possible. We’ve committed significant resources to ensure our students have access to both merit and need-based scholarships — and we have advisors ready to help you with your financial plan.
3. Our first-year class is designed to be intentionally small, which means you’ll know your peers—and your professors will know you. The classmates you study alongside will become your professional network, and you’ll get to see just how powerful community can be.
4. “Profession-ready” isn’t idle talk. It’s our philosophy. We are committed to graduating practice-ready lawyers, which we do by immersing you right away in a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning. By the time you graduate, you will have had the opportunity to go deep in public interest, health law, international law, child advocacy, cyber law, or any number of disciplines. And you’ll be ready for anything.
5. Practice your skills while giving back to the Carlisle community through our in-house legal clinics. Our students help at homeless shelters, serve on local boards, volunteer in our Miller Center Pro Bono Program, and advocate for clients across a number of complex legal issues.
6. The Dickinson Law curriculum ensures that you’ll master national law and have a firm grasp of international principles. You can take your studies global with an externship in The Hague or spend a semester abroad as part of our exchange programs with National Taiwan University, the University of Cape Town, and more.