The School of Law’s master’s program in patent practice is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The program is designed to prepare students for careers as patent agents. Students must be eligible to sit for the patent bar exam, which requires an undergraduate degree in engineering, computer science or a physical or biological degree. This degree is a viable alternative for students who want to pursue a career in patent practice without having to take the full three-year law program. Merit scholarships are available.
This program is the first of its kind in Ohio, and one of only a handful in the nation. The demand for patent agents is growing with a salary range of $63,500-$120,700 for qualified patent agents, with $92,000 being the median range. According to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) there are about 11,000 registered patent agents. Because of the greater scientific expertise and the ability to prepare, file and prosecute patent applications, patent agents are in demand at many law firms and corporate legal departments.
A patent agent is one who has passed the USPTO patent bar and is registered to file patent applications with the USPTO. Patent agents can work for law firms, practice as solo practitioners or work in the legal department of a company. They are also eligible to work as patent examiners at the USPTO. Many inventions are based on science, which is why patent agents possess a background in science or engineering before taking the patent bar.
More information about the patent bar is available online.
Have a question about applying to the program, or want to learn more about classes and other opportunities within the program? Contact Craig A. Nard, director of the Spangenberg Center for Law, Technology & the Arts, at patentpractice@case.edu.
Learn more about the program and apply online at law.case.edu/Academics/Degrees/Masters-in-Patent-Practice.