Legal Education in Massachusetts
Law schools, paralegal programs, certifications, bar exam resources, and continuing education in Massachusetts.
Law Schools
ABA-accredited JD programs in Massachusetts
Harvard Law School
Founded in 1817 — the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States. Offers JD, LLM, and SJD programs.
Boston University School of Law
Established in 1872, offering one of the deepest law school curricula in the nation with over 200 courses — nationally ranked #2 in Health Care Law.
Boston College Law School
Founded in 1929, known for educating lawyers through theory and practice — among the nation's top law schools.
Northeastern University School of Law
Pioneer in experiential legal education since 1968 — signature Cooperative Legal Education Program provides a full year of practical legal work.
Suffolk University Law School
Located in downtown Boston on the Freedom Trail — four top-35 ranked legal skills specialties in U.S. News for ten consecutive years.
New England Law | Boston
Founded in 1908 as Portia Law School — the first law school in the nation exclusively for women. Offers JD and LLM programs.
Western New England University School of Law
The only law school in Massachusetts outside the Boston area — full-time and part-time JD programs with a focus on social justice.
University of Massachusetts School of Law
The only public law school in Massachusetts — offering affordable full-time and part-time JD programs at UMass Dartmouth.
Paralegal Programs
Accredited paralegal education and certificate programs
Bunker Hill Community College — Paralegal Studies
ABA-approved AS and certificate programs — both available entirely online.
North Shore Community College — Paralegal Certificate
ABA-approved post-degree certificate providing legal knowledge and practical skills for legal support roles.
Bay Path University — Paralegal Studies
ABA-approved paralegal program instructing students in substantive legal areas, technical skills, and ethical business practices.
Court Reporter & Captioning Programs
Stenography, digital reporting, and real-time captioning training
Massachusetts Court Reporters Association (MCRA)
Statewide professional association for verbatim stenographic reporters and captioners — offers CSR exams in April and October.
How to Become a Court Transcriber in Massachusetts
Official state guide — no state license required, but national certification and notary public status are recommended.
Mediator & ADR Certification
Alternative dispute resolution training and qualified neutral roster
Massachusetts Trial Court — Approved ADR Programs
Directory of 68 court-approved mediation and ADR programs across all seven Trial Court departments.
Massachusetts ADR Services Overview
Overview of court-connected ADR services — mediation, conciliation, and arbitration available across Trial Court departments.
Legal Nurse Consulting
Certification programs for RNs providing litigation support
Notary Public Certification
How to become a notary public in Massachusetts
Bar Admission & Exam
Pathways to becoming a licensed attorney in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners
Reviews all petitions for admission to the Massachusetts bar — ensures candidates meet education, knowledge, and character & fitness requirements.
Admission by Examination
Massachusetts uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) — minimum passing score of 270. MPRE score of 85 or higher required.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Requirements for licensed Massachusetts attorneys
Legal Secretary & Legal Assistant Programs
Certificate and degree programs for legal support professionals
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