law.berkeley.edu Paid content

UC Berkeley Law organizes its academic offerings around named areas of study and "Impact & Innovation Hubs," and it hosts 30 research institutes and centers alongside 15 clinics and 41 student-initiated legal services projects. If you are comparing law schools by whether their faculty and programming match a specific interest — criminal justice, technology regulation, environmental law, racial justice, or AI — the site's Areas of Study and hub pages are the fastest way to check fit. The listing below reflects what the school's own site currently surfaces; it is not necessarily exhaustive.

Areas of Study

The site highlights these fields, with a "See all Areas of Study" entry point for the full list:

• Criminal Justice
• Law and Technology
• Environment and Energy

These are presented as the featured areas rather than the complete catalog, so treat them as a starting point.

Impact & Innovation Hubs

Two hubs are named on the site:

• Racial Justice
• AI Law and Regulation

Hubs differ from areas of study in emphasis: they signal where the school concentrates cross-cutting programming, events, and affiliated faculty rather than a single doctrinal track.

Research Centers and Experiential Scale

The school's own "By the Numbers" summary reports:

The pro bono figures connect to a structured program with its own pages: the Pro Bono Pledge, a definition of pro bono, a hours-logging page, and Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS) with an application process and a current project list. Named SLPS examples include Animal Law and Advocacy and Arts and Innovation Representation.

Degree Programs Alongside the Areas

The areas and centers sit within a degree portfolio that the school describes as JD, LLM, JSD, and joint degrees, plus individual courses. If your interest is a research career, the JSD and the 30 institutes and centers are the relevant pairing; if it is practice-oriented training, the 15 clinics and 41 SLPS projects are the more direct route.

How to Check Whether a Field Is Actually Covered

1. Open the Areas of Study section and use "See all Areas of Study" to see the full list rather than the three featured fields.
2. Open the Impact & Innovation Hubs section for Racial Justice and AI Law and Regulation to see current programming.
3. For hands-on work, go to the Pro Bono Program pages and the current SLPS project list to see which subject areas have active student projects.
4. Cross-check faculty and events: the site's news and events listings (for example, items on work law, human rights and large language models, and academic freedom in law school clinics) show where current activity is concentrated.

A practical caveat: featured areas and hubs change as faculty and funding shift, and the site presents only a subset on the landing page. Before treating any field as a strength, confirm it against the full Areas of Study list and the current clinic and SLPS rosters rather than the homepage highlights alone.

Being an IB student means more than attending a school that offers an International Baccalaureate programme. It means learning through a specific framework that asks you to think critically, communicate clearly, and take responsibility for your own progress. The IB's four programmes — the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP) — share a common philosophy but place different demands on students at each stage.

This article explains what the IB expects from students, how responsibilities change across the four programmes, and how families can prepare for the transition.

The foundation: the IB learner profile

Across all four programmes, the IB describes ten attributes it hopes students develop. These are usually called the learner profile. Students are encouraged to be:

• Inquirers — curious and skilled at asking good questions
• Knowledgeable — exploring ideas across a range of subjects
• Thinkers — using critical and creative thinking
• Communicators — expressing ideas confidently in more than one language
• Principled — acting with integrity and fairness
• Open-minded — appreciating other perspectives and cultures
• Caring — showing empathy and respect
• Risk-takers — approaching uncertainty with courage
• Balanced — attending to intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being
• Reflective — assessing their own learning and experience

These attributes are not a checklist to complete. They describe habits and dispositions that teachers look for and that students are expected to demonstrate over time. In practice, they shape how lessons are taught, how projects are assessed, and how students are asked to behave toward one another.

How student responsibilities differ across the four programmes

Each programme has its own structure, age range, and expectations. The table below summarises the main differences.

PYP: building the habits of inquiry

In the PYP, the student's main job is to engage. Children are expected to ask questions, work with others, and reflect on what they have learned. The emphasis is on developing curiosity and basic research skills rather than on formal examinations. Students often take part in units of inquiry that connect subjects, and they may lead conferences where they explain their learning to parents.

MYP: making connections and managing yourself

The MYP asks students to go further. They study eight subject groups and are expected to connect what they learn to the world around them. A key responsibility is the personal project, an independent piece of work that students plan, research, and complete over an extended period. This is often the first time students must manage a long-term deadline largely on their own. Service learning also becomes more structured, and students are encouraged to reflect on their role in the community.

DP: depth, independence, and the core

The DP is the most academically demanding of the four programmes. Students typically study six subjects, three at higher level and three at standard level, and complete three core requirements:

• Theory of knowledge (TOK) — a course that asks how we know what we claim to know
• The extended essay — an independent research paper of up to 4,000 words
• Creativity, activity, service (CAS) — a programme of ongoing experiences outside academic study

DP students are expected to manage a heavy workload, meet external examination deadlines, and produce original academic work. Independent study is not optional; it is central to the programme.

CP: academic study with a career focus

The CP is designed for students who want to combine academic courses with career-related learning. Students take at least two DP courses alongside a career-related study programme, and complete a reflective project. They also develop personal and professional skills. The CP suits students who learn best when their studies connect directly to a practical field, while still requiring the critical thinking and communication skills common to all IB programmes.

How assessment and independence change as students progress

One of the clearest patterns across the IB is the shift from teacher-led assessment toward student-led responsibility.

In the PYP, teachers observe and document learning, and students are guided through reflection. In the MYP, students are assessed against published criteria and must increasingly manage their own projects. By the DP and CP, students are preparing for external examinations and independent research, and they are expected to organise their time, seek help when needed, and meet deadlines without constant reminders.

This progression is deliberate. The IB wants students to leave as self-directed learners who can think for themselves.

Common misconceptions about being an IB student

Several myths circulate about the IB. Here are a few clarifications.

• "IB students must be geniuses." The programmes are demanding, but they are designed for a broad range of students. Effort, curiosity, and organisation matter as much as raw ability.
• "The IB is only about exams." Assessment includes projects, portfolios, oral work, and service. The DP has external exams, but the core requirements are equally important.
• "Students must be fluent in a second language before starting." Language learning is part of the IB, and support is usually available. Requirements vary by programme and school.
• "IB students have no free time." The workload is real, but the learner profile includes balance. Schools generally encourage students to manage their time and well-being.
• "All IB schools are the same." Schools implement the programmes in different ways, and the range of subjects and support offered can vary.

Preparing for the transition into an IB programme

If you are a student or a parent preparing to enter an IB programme, the following steps can help.

1. Read the programme guide for your specific programme. The IB publishes curriculum and assessment information for PYP, MYP, DP, and CP. Understanding the structure reduces surprises.
2. Talk to current students and teachers. Ask about workload, deadlines, and what support is available.
3. Build organisational habits early. A simple planner, weekly review, and clear study space make a difference, especially in the MYP and DP.
4. Practise reflection. The IB asks students to think about their own learning. Keeping a short journal or notes on what worked and what did not is useful preparation.
5. Ask about language and subject choices. Requirements differ by programme and school, so confirm the details with the school directly.
6. Plan for the core requirements. In the DP, the extended essay, TOK, and CAS take time. Starting early and setting interim deadlines helps.
7. Use school support. Coordinators, counsellors, and teachers are there to help. Asking for guidance is part of being a successful IB student.

A practical summary

Being an IB student means developing the learner profile attributes while meeting the specific demands of your programme. In the PYP, that means curiosity and participation. In the MYP, it means making connections and managing independent work. In the DP, it means academic depth and completing the core. In the CP, it means combining academic study with career-related learning and reflection.

Across all four, the common thread is responsibility: for your learning, your time, and your contribution to the community around you. Understanding that early makes the transition smoother and the experience more rewarding.

UC Berkeley Law offers a substantial set of experiential and pro bono opportunities, and the school's own figures give a sense of scale: 15 clinics offering hands-on learning, 41 student-initiated legal services projects, and 90% of students engaged in pro bono work, with 26,600 pro bono hours logged by the Class of 2025. If you are evaluating Berkeley Law for its practice-based training, the main entry points are clinics, the Pro Bono Program, and Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS).

Clinics and Experiential Coursework

Clinics are the structured, faculty-supervised route to hands-on legal work. Berkeley Law lists 15 clinics offering hands-on learning, and the school's Pro Bono Clinics are featured among its experiential offerings. Clinics typically combine a classroom component with supervised representation or project work, which is what distinguishes them from purely doctrinal courses.

The school also organizes its academic life around Areas of Study and "Impact & Innovation Hubs," including Racial Justice, AI Law and Regulation, Criminal Justice, Law and Technology, and Environment and Energy. These are useful signposts if you want experiential work in a specific field rather than general practice exposure.

The Pro Bono Program

The Pro Bono Program is the umbrella for volunteer legal service. Its published structure includes:

• The Pro Bono Pledge — a commitment mechanism for students.
• Definition of Pro Bono — the school's own criteria for what counts toward pro bono work, which matters because not every volunteer activity necessarily qualifies.
• Log Your Pro Bono Hours — the reporting step where students record their service.
• Pro Bono Clinics — clinic-based pro bono work.

The scale is notable: 90% of students engage in pro bono work, and the Class of 2025 logged 26,600 hours. For a prospective student, that suggests pro bono is a normal part of the Berkeley Law experience rather than a niche activity.

Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS)

SLPS is the most distinctive piece for students who want to build something rather than join something. These are projects initiated by students, and the school currently lists 41 of them. The published pathway includes:

1. How to Apply — the application process for SLPS.
2. Current Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects — the active project list.
3. Named examples include Animal Law and Advocacy and Arts and Innovation Representation.

If you want to see whether your interest area is already covered, the current projects list is the place to check before considering whether to propose something new.

How to Decide Which Route Fits

A practical sequence for a prospective or incoming student: identify your area of interest through the Areas of Study and hubs, check whether a current SLPS project already covers it, review the Definition of Pro Bono so your hours count, and use the Pro Bono Pledge and hour-logging pages to stay on track once enrolled.

One caveat worth noting: the school publishes application steps and definitions for these programs, but eligibility details, deadlines, and any selection criteria are set by the individual programs. Check the specific SLPS or clinic page rather than assuming a general rule applies.

UC Berkeley Law offers four main degree tracks: the JD (Juris Doctor) for students pursuing a first law degree in the U.S., the LLM (Master of Laws) for lawyers who already hold a law degree, the JSD (Doctor of Juridical Science) for advanced research, and a set of joint degrees that pair law study with another graduate field. Which one fits you depends on whether you already hold a law degree, whether you want to practice in the U.S., and whether your goal is professional practice or academic research. The school's own description lists "JD, LLM, JSD and joint degrees, as well as individual courses," so those are the categories to work from.

The four degree tracks at a glance

JD — the standard U.S. law degree

The JD is the entry-level professional degree for people who do not yet hold a law degree and intend to practice in the United States. It is the track referenced in Berkeley Law's admissions content, including the "Connect with Admissions / Plan Your Visit" page. If you are a prospective law student without a prior law degree, this is the program to look at first.

LLM — for lawyers who already have a law degree

The LLM is designed for people who already hold a law degree, frequently from a jurisdiction outside the U.S. Berkeley Law's site highlights its LL.M. community directly — for example, the page "No Borders: The Berkeley Law LL.M. Program" and alumni and student profiles such as Anthony Shallat LL.M. '25 and Annamhel Monique Roa LL.M. '26. If your goal is to add U.S. legal training or specialize within an existing legal career, the LLM is the relevant track.

JSD — the research doctorate

The JSD is the advanced research degree, aimed at candidates who want to produce original legal scholarship, typically after completing an LLM or JD. It sits at the academic rather than the practice-oriented end of the school's offerings. Choose this track if your objective is a research or academic career rather than bar-qualified practice.

Joint degrees — law plus another field

Joint degrees let JD students combine legal study with another graduate discipline. Berkeley Law's site references this category alongside the JD, LLM, and JSD, so it is worth checking the school's degree pages for the specific pairings currently offered rather than assuming a fixed list.

How to decide which track applies to you

• No law degree yet, want to practice in the U.S. → JD
• Already a lawyer, want U.S. training or specialization → LLM
• Want to research and write legal scholarship → JSD
• In a JD program and want a second discipline → joint degree

Where to check curriculum and application details

Berkeley Law's site organizes its academic offerings under "Areas of Study" (for example, Criminal Justice, Law and Technology, and Environment and Energy) and lists research institutes, clinics, and student-initiated legal services projects. The site's own figures include 30 research institutes and centers, 15 clinics, and 41 student-initiated legal services projects. For program-specific curriculum and application requirements, go to the official degree pages rather than relying on summaries — admission criteria, deadlines, and costs are set by the school and change over time.

UC Berkeley Law is the official website of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law — one of the nation's premier law schools. The site serves as the school's primary information channel for prospective students, current students, alumni, and legal professionals, covering degree programs, courses, faculty, research, and events. If you're researching law schools, verifying a Berkeley Law fact, or looking for admissions and program details, this is the authoritative source.

What the Site Covers

The homepage and linked sections organize information into several core areas:

• Degree programs — JD, LLM, JSD, and joint degrees, plus individual courses.
• Areas of study — including Criminal Justice, Law and Technology, and Environment and Energy.
• Experiential learning — clinics, pro bono programs, and student-initiated legal services projects.
• Faculty and research — research institutes and centers, plus faculty expertise in the news.
• News and events — a running feed of school news, alumni profiles, and a public events calendar.

Who It's For

By the Numbers

The site highlights several scale indicators about the school:

• 30 research institutes and centers
• 15 clinics offering hands-on learning
• 41 student-initiated legal services projects
• 90% of students engaged in pro bono work
• 26,600 pro bono hours logged by the Class of 2025

Practical Notes

• The pro bono program has its own detailed section, including a pledge, a definition of pro bono, an hours-logging page, and a directory of current student-initiated projects (for example, Animal Law and Advocacy, and Arts and Innovation Representation).
• The events calendar lists specific dated programming, such as talks on human rights, wrongful conviction, and press freedom.
• The site is the school's own publication channel, so program requirements and deadlines should be confirmed through the linked admissions pages rather than third-party summaries.

If your goal is to evaluate Berkeley Law as a school, cite its official program details, or find a specific clinic or event, start here and follow the section links rather than relying on secondary descriptions.