Meet Deepa Mishra, first graduate of the Master's in Patent Practice program
"I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to go through the Master's in Patent Practice program. It’s a phenomenal program for students like me, and highly complementary to the existing programs at the law school."
—Deepa Mishra
Master's in Patent Practice
The Master's in Patent Practice 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 JD. Merit scholarships are available.
High Demand for Patent Agents
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. According to 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.
National Median Patent Agent Salary: $121,000
A patent agent is one who has passed the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (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.
The national average salary for patent agents in 2019 is $121,663. The average salary for a patent agent in Cleveland is $100,368.
Have a Question About Our Program?
Contact: Craig A. Nard, Director of the Spangenberg Center for Law, Technology & the Arts at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Email: patentpractice@case.edu
Phone: 216.368.6348