Lessons Learned From Conducting Educational Multi-Level Programs Of Lawyer’s Training: A Case Study Of Tomsk State University

Abstract

This article describes the experience in carrying out of educational programs of barristers and Masters in the Institute of Law of the oldest educational establishment in Siberia, Tomsk State University. Due to the reforms in Russian higher education that were launched some time ago, the majority of educational programs in higher professional education became two­level. Tomsk State University joined in the activity at the beginning of the 1990s. A research group was set up whose task was to analyze the foreign educational systems and to work out a scheme acceptable for one of the oldest universities of Russia. We can not but admit the qualitatively different motivation for studying that professionally qualified law specialists and bachelors have. The former, who are self­sufficient at the labor market from the point of view of modern Russian requirements, consider the master course to be the first step towards their future scientific­pedagogical activity and, while studying, start their research, pass candidate examinations. Master’s degree course is a really elite legal education for them. Bachelors from non­state law schools, unfortunately, have a low level of fundamental and applied knowledge of law. For most of them studying for Master’s degree at Tomsk State University is only a means of getting a prestigious state university degree which proves to be competitive at labor market.This article describes the experience in carrying out of educational programs of barristers and Masters in the Institute of Law of the oldest educational establishment in Siberia, Tomsk State University. Due to the reforms in Russian higher education that were launched some time ago, the majority of educational programs in higher professional education became two­level. Tomsk State University joined in the activity at the beginning of the 1990s. A research group was set up whose task was to analyze the foreign educational systems and to work out a scheme acceptable for one of the oldest universities of Russia.