jd coursework

J.D. Program

The first year.

Harvard Law School’s first-year curriculum provides students with a solid intellectual foundation on which to build their legal education, covering core principles and concepts, theory, and skills of legal practice and providing a thorough grounding in fundamental legal reasoning and analysis. First-year students take courses in civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, legislation and regulation, property, and torts, which collectively provide a foundation for understanding the common law tradition and governing structures of the U.S. legal system and the role of statutes and regulations within that system.

To bridge the gap between academic courses and the skills lawyers use in practice, all first-year students participate in the January Experiential Term. During this term, students enroll in one of several skills-based courses that emphasize teamwork, practical training, and self-reflection. First-year students also participate in a legal research and writing course, which includes the First-Year Ames Moot Court Program and other opportunities to practice the various forms of writing used in legal practice. During the spring term of the first year, students choose an elective based on their individual interests from a wide array of upper-level courses.

The first-year class is divided into seven sections of eighty students each. Faculty section leaders, generally senior faculty members who teach one of the section’s basic courses, provide guidance and support to the students in their sections and develop a program of extra-curricular activities related to the law.

In addition to section-based activities, during the fall term, students participate in first-year reading groups of 10-12 students. Led by faculty members, who also serve as advisors to the students in their groups, these ungraded groups allow students to explore an intellectual interest outside the scope of the foundational first-year curriculum. Topics are as diverse as legal responses to terrorism, regulation of climate change, Biblical law, detective fiction, conservative jurisprudence, artificial intelligence, and bioethics.

The Upper-Level Years

Seven optional   Programs of Study  – Law and Government; Law and Social Change; Law and Business; Law and History; Criminal Justice; International and Comparative Law; and Law, Science and Technology – developed by the Law School faculty provide pathways through the upper-level curriculum. The Programs of Study offer students guidance on structuring an academic program that will give them extensive exposure to the law, policy, theory, and practice in their chosen areas of focus.

The Law School encourages students to engage in their third year in a capstone learning experience: advanced seminars, clinical practice, and writing projects that call on students to use the full extent of their knowledge, skills, and methodological tools in a field to address the most interesting and complicated legal problems of today.

For more information about the J.D. Program, please see the Handbook of Academic Policies, Section I. Requirements for the J.D. Degree.

Semester Abroad

Harvard Law School students have the opportunity to  study abroad  through numerous exchange programs with law schools in other countries or at other top-flight foreign law schools of their choosing and receive credit toward the J.D.

Semester Abroad: Locations

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An unparalleled legal education at a top public university

Join our welcoming environment with top faculty, diverse students, and an exciting, challenging curriculum in a world-class city.

Our strength is rooted in a tradition of innovation established when we opened our doors in 1949. We have all the advantages of a top law school, while providing a close-knit environment. We have academic programs to suit all interests, world-renowned faculty and an impressive, diverse student body. Our immersive and inventive approach to learning ensures that students are intellectually challenged and personally fulfilled. Our students are excellent and experienced, coming from all kinds of backgrounds but with a shared passion for the law. We offer competitive tuition, and outstanding scholarship and loan repayment programs. 

Students at UCLA School of Law have access to a dynamic and innovative law school education. From the first day of orientation, students are exposed to the foundations of legal reasoning and begin to develop their professional identities and intellectual engagement with the law. Our wide array of upper-division classes, clinics and specializations is recognized as some of the finest professional training for law students anywhere.

• Academic Standards for J.D. Candidates  
• Curriculum Guide
• Textbook Information
• First Year Schedule  
• Review Sessions  
• Final Exam Schedule
• First Year Book List    

Students begin their time at UCLA Law with a pioneering week-long orientation program that immerses them in the fundamentals of the law school learning process. This experience eases the transition to law school and primes students to begin thinking of themselves as attorneys and advocates. From there, students embark on a formative first year that promotes optimal learning with an extensive course on Legal Research and Writing in addition to the traditional courses on common law and other foundational subjects.

Our distinctive yearlong Legal Research and Writing course provides students with the opportunity to explore the relationship between legal analysis and lawyering tasks, such as effective legal writing, oral advocacy and legal research. The Legal Research and Writing course is taught alongside courses that historically have laid the foundation for law of all kinds: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, and Torts, along with two elective courses chosen from a broad selection of topics. Between these fundamental doctrinal courses and the Legal Research and Writing curriculum, our first-year students are ready at the end of May to tackle their first legal jobs, and to think and communicate like lawyers. To foster a sense of community and an environment of mutual support, the Legal Research and Writing course and one of the core doctrinal courses are taught in small sections.

• Advanced Schedule  
• Review Sessions
• Advanced Book List    

The second and third years at UCLA Law offer a comprehensive selection of upper-division classes, clinics and specializations that are recognized as some of the most thought-provoking and rigorous experiences for law students anywhere. Our wide-ranging advanced curriculum enables students to build upon the achievements of the first year, while developing and refining their individual interests and professional goals. Students complete a mandatory course in Professional Responsibility, Criminal Law and Property, as well as an upper-division writing requirement, and, for the entering class of fall 2016 forward, complete six units of experiential coursework. Students also select from our extensive advanced and specialized course offerings and have the option to complete a culminating clinical capstone experience.

Our advanced curriculum allows students to broaden their foundational knowledge with coursework in such areas as Constitutional Law (freedom of speech, press and religion, or the rights of the accused in the criminal process); courses that examine the legal framework in which society’s economic life takes place (Business Associations, Federal Taxation, Labor Law); and courses focusing on basic elements of the judicial process (Evidence, Remedies). In addition, students are encouraged to delve deeply into a field by pursuing one of our seven specializations; to broaden their expertise with interdisciplinary coursework; and to hone their skills in a large selection of superb clinical and experiential courses.

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Chicago's Only Public Law School

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Our UIC Law curriculum specializes in equipping rising attorneys with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed from their first day on the job. You’ll develop the strategic, analytical, and transactional skills that are so valuable to employers, regardless of the concentration you choose.

JD Requirements and Curriculum Heading link Copy link

The Juris Doctor (JD) program consists of three components: 10 core courses which must be taken first, additional required courses that can be taken any time after the core courses are completed, and experiential learning through a clinic or externship.  View required courses below:

General Requirements

JD courses, listed on the proposed degree track in this chart provide students with a fundamental store of knowledge and skills related to substantive legal concepts and rules, including analysis of cases, statutes, and other sources of law; recognition of relevant facts from a mass of raw data; effective oral and written communication; advocacy; and organization and management of legal work and ideas.

Remaining credit hours for the JD are fulfilled by selecting electives from substantive areas of law, including business law, employee benefits, estate planning, information technology law, intellectual property law, international law, public interest law, real estate law, and more.

To successfully earn a JD from UIC Law, degree candidates must:

• Earn credit for at least 90 semester hours of law study
• Obtain an overall GPA of 2.25 or better, and
• Earn a minimum of 3 clinical and/or externship credit hours.

Required Curriculum

Core courses for the jd degree.

• Contracts I * (3 credits)
• Property * (4 credits)
• Torts * (4 credits)
• Lawyering Skills I * (3 credits)
• Expert Learning * (1 credit)
• Contracts II * (3 credits)
• Civil Procedure I * (3 credits)
• Criminal Law * (3 credits)
• Constitutional Law I * (3 credits)
• Lawyering Skills II * (3 credits)

Additional Required Courses for the JD Degree

• Civil Procedure II (3 credits)
• Constitutional Law II (3 credits)
• Trial Advocacy ‡ (3)
• Evidence † or Trial Lawyer: Evidence (4 Credits)
• Lawyering Skills III (2 Credits)
• Lawyering Skills IV (2-3 Credits)
• Professional Responsibility † (3 Credits)

Experiential Learning Requirement

• Experiential Learning † : Clinic/Externship (3 Fieldwork or Clinic Credits)

* – Credit in these courses is required before students can register for upper-level required and elective courses.

† – These required courses may be taken at any time during a student’s second or third year. Evidence is a prerequisite to Trial Advocacy. Trial Lawyer: Evidence and Trial Lawyer: Advocacy must be taken together and may be taken in lieu of Evidence and Trial Advocacy.

‡ – For students who began their JD studies on or after August 26, 2019, Trial Advocacy, although an important part of the JD curriculum, is no longer a required course. Students who began their JD studies before August 26, 2019, must successfully complete Trial Advocacy, Trial Lawyer: Advocacy, or Accelerated Trial Advocacy in order to earn a JD degree.

Full-Time JD Track

Estimated Completion: 6 Semesters

First Semester (15 Hours)

• Contracts I * (3)
• Property * (4)
• Torts * (4)
• Lawyering Skills I * (3)
• Expert Learning * (1)

Second Semester (15 Hours)

• Contracts II * (3)
• Civil Procedure I * (3)
• Criminal Law * (3)
• Constitutional Law I * (3)
• Lawyering Skills II * (3)

Third Semester (15 Hours)

• Civil Procedure II (3)
• Constitutional Law II (3)
• Lawyering Skills III (2)
• Evidence † (4) &  Electives  (3)  or
• Trial Lawyer: Evidence (4) & Trial Lawyer: Advocacy ‡ (3)

Fourth Semester (15 Hours)

• Professional Responsibility † (3)
• Experiential Learning† (Clinic or Externship) (3-5)
• Electives  (7-9)

Fifth Semester (15 Hours)

• Lawyering Skills IV (2)
• Electives  (10)

Sixth Semester (15 Hours)

• Electives  (15)

† – These required courses may be taken at any time during a student’s second or third year. Evening students may also take Professional Responsibility before this time during a summer term after completeing all courses listed in this part-time evening track in the first through fourth semester. Evidence is a prerequisite to Trial Advocacy. Trial Lawyer: Evidence and Trial Lawyer: Advocacy must be taken together and may be taken in lieu of Evidence and Trial Advocacy.

Choose Your Path Explore JD Concentrations

Required experiential education heading link copy link.

In addition to the other required courses that ensure our degree candidates develop the basic competencies expected of attorneys, UIC Law has numerous experiential education opportunities that offer students a chance to put their skills to the test in real legal work settings. Students can fulfill their experiential learning requirement in one of our Community Legal Clinics, by taking externships, or a combination of both. A maximum of 15 clinic or externship hours may be credited toward the JD.

JD Experiential Education Heading link Copy link

• Community Legal Clinics As a law student, under the direction of experienced attorneys, you will assist real people with real legal problems.
• JD Externships Our externship offerings provide students the opportunity to develop essential skills by working with a judge or at an approved non-profit organization or government agency.
• Lawyering Skills Program A foundational component of the JD curriculum, the Lawyering Skills Program teaches students practical lawyering skills, including legal reasoning, legal research, oral advocacy, drafting, and client counseling over the course of four semesters.

Meet the Faculty Heading link Copy link

Our UIC Law faculty routinely hold leadership positions within the law school and in the nation’s most prominent legal associations. Meet our dedicated and diverse staff of attorneys and professional who are committed to helping you pave your path to justice.

J.D. Program

Berkeley Law is one of the premier law schools in the United States, and the cornerstone of the school is its J.D. Degree Program.

The J.D. program is demanding, engaging, hands-on, and selective. Each year, only about one out of every ten applicants is accepted. Central to our program is Berkeley Law’s challenging curriculum and world-class faculty. Incoming students can expect to learn the fundamentals from top scholars and outstanding teachers. They can also expect to infuse their studies with their own curiosity and concerns, to look at the law from a multidisciplinary perspective, and to roll up their sleeves and do real work.  

The diverse and constantly evolving curriculum offers hundreds of courses, including dozens in our top-ranked Intellectual Property, International Law, Social Justice, and Environmental Law programs. Faculty members—some of the best legal minds in the business—embody the school’s commitment to academic vigor, multidisciplinary research, and intellectual diversity. One of the hallmarks of the J.D. Program is the diversity of its student body, faculty, and curriculum. Such diversity is critical in a law school, which must train its graduates to analyze and interpret the law, reflect on competing viewpoints, present persuasive arguments in a variety of forums, and develop insightful and effective policies affecting broad swaths of society.

But what sets the J.D. Degree Program apart is its real-world focus. Our school-sponsored clinics give students the opportunity to gain hands-on legal and public policy experience. Student-run clinics and journals round out the offerings in practically every conceivable area. And our major think tanks—home to some of our most forward-looking research and outreach—serve as laboratories where J.D. students can collaborate with some of the most innovative thinkers in the legal profession.

Georgetown Law

J.d. program, your chance to make a difference.

Imagine earning your Juris Doctor (J.D.) a short walk from the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court and the countless global firms, think tanks and NGOs that call Washington home. At Georgetown Law, your study of the law will include seeing it in action at the nation’s highest levels. Our J.D. students are prepared to excel in fields touching on all aspects of domestic and international law — opening a future of limitless opportunities in public service and private practice.

Pursue your interest in any career path you already envision, or let us help you discover your passion. After completing your first-year J.D. requirements, you can choose from some 500 courses each year. Your second and third years will also be distinguished by experiential learning — through our prolific clinics, unique externships, and cutting-edge practicum and simulation courses.

At the center of legal debate in D.C.

Our campus is a bustling hub of legal debate and scholarship, where on any given day you may find world leaders and the nation’s top legal authorities giving talks and exchanging views at timely conferences and events.

As a Georgetown Law student, you’ll experience the law first-hand — whether assisting in the drafting of actual legislation, helping a professor prepare oral arguments for a Supreme Court hearing or guiding clients through real legal challenges — all while earning a degree respected around the world.

Program Options

Full-Time Program

The full-time program is six semesters (three academic years). After setting aside credits for the required courses, you will have a large number of elective credits to build your portfolio.

Evening Program

The evening program is designed to allow students the flexibility to complete a J.D. in four, three-and-a-half, or three academic years.

Joint & Dual Degree Programs

Students may combine their J.D. with an LL.M.; a degree in business, public health, public policy, government, philosophy; or one of many offered by the School of Foreign Service.

Bar Examination and Professional Licensure Disclosure

J.D. Program

Concentrations, clinical program, other degree options.

• J.D. Admissions
• Joint Degrees
• Student Organizations

Cornell Law offers a highly-rated national law curriculum leading to the three-year J.D. degree.

The professional curriculum at Cornell Law School conforms to American Bar Association Standard 302 for Approval of Law Schools. We offer a rigorous program of legal education designed to prepare students, upon graduation, for admission to the bar and for effective, ethical, and responsible participation in the legal profession at the highest levels.

Upon completion of the program of legal education, Cornell Law School graduates will:

• Possess knowledge of the substantive and procedural law required for effective participation in the legal profession
• Engage in legal research, analysis, and problem-solving
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form as counselors and advocates
• Possess the practical skills fundamental to exceptional lawyering and client representation
• Conduct themselves with the highest moral and ethical standards.

See all learning outcomes .

The program also offers substantial opportunities for:

• Live-client or other real-life practice experiences, appropriately supervised and designed to encourage reflection by students on their experiences and on the values and responsibilities of the legal profession, and the development of one’s ability to assess his or her performance and level of competence
• Student participation in pro bono activities
• Small group work through seminars, directed research, small classes, or collaborative work

As a first-year student, you will be taught by our gifted faculty. Many faculty members hold academic chairs at the Law School and are the authors on the leading law casebooks in the subjects they teach.

First-year students are divided into sections, which foster a cooperative and close environment. You will have classes with other sections (except for lawyering courses) so you get to know the rest of your class while maintaining the close-knit network of your section.

First-year students take one elective course in the spring semester; the goal of this elective is to allow the students to sample a specialization before the end of the first year.

All first-year law classes are required.

• Civil Procedure (6 credits)
• Constitutional Law (4 credits)
• Contracts (4 credits)
• Lawyering (4 credits)
• Torts (3 credits)
• Criminal Law (3 credits)
• Property (4 credits)

See course descriptions here .

Second-Year

In contrast to the first-year curriculum, there are no required courses during a law student’s second and third years of study (upper-class years) but there are requirements that must be met.

The second year provides students an opportunity to broaden the foundation laid in the first year. Although these core courses are not required, the faculty strongly recommends that students take four core courses during the second year:

• Administrative Law
• Business Organizations
• Federal Income Taxation

In the third year, students diversify or specialize through the pursuit of individual interests reflected in a wide range of elective courses, including many seminars and problem courses.

Requirements

All students must satisfy three specific upper-class course requirements:

• A course which satisfies a writing requirement
• A course dealing with issues of professional responsibility
• Six credits in experiential learning courses

Courses that meet each requirement can be found in the online course catalog .

The third year also permits concentration through the in-depth study of a single field.

To encourage the use of the final year to pursue a concentration, the school offers the opportunity to focus your studies in one of seven areas.

A complete list of classes that can be used to fulfill each concentration can be found in the Student Handbook on the current student community site.

Business Law and Regulation

Conflict resolution, general practice, law, inequity and structural exclusion.

A well-rounded legal education should include an understanding of how law can act, not only as an instrument for furthering particular client goals or as a basis for rights promotion, but also as a mechanism for inequity and structural exclusion. This broader view is important for understanding the law not only as it currently works, but also in its possibilities for change over time. To this end, the courses in this concentration explore interrelationships between law and inequality, in contemporary and historical dimensions.

Technology and Law

• 1L Immigration Law and Advocacy Clinic
• Entrepreneurship Law Clinic

• International Degrees and Specializations
• J.D. Semester at Cornell Tech

International Programs

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What Is A JD Degree? Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Jan 2, 2024, 6:05am

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is the most commonly awarded law degree in the United States. If you’re wondering how to become a lawyer , a J.D. degree is a great place to start, as this credential prepares you for the bar exam.

To become a lawyer, most candidates earn a J.D. and pass the bar exam. However, a handful of states offer alternative routes to becoming a lawyer without earning a J.D. degree. This article explores what it takes to earn a J.D., along with available law school concentrations.

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How Long Does a J.D. Degree Take?

Earning your J.D. degree should take about three years if you study full time, or four to five years if you study part time. Some universities allow learners to earn their J.D. as part of a joint-degree program. This route takes four to five years to complete for full-time students.

Degree Finder

Qualifications to enter a j.d. program.

Typical qualifications to enter a J.D. degree program include a bachelor’s degree and passing scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Other typical requirements include letters of recommendation and a law school personal statement . Some universities may set additional requirements, so check with yours to ensure you’ve submitted all requested materials.

J.D. Specialties

As a J.D. student, after you have completed your first year of law school, you may choose a specialization in a subject area. A concentration can help you build expertise in a particular area of law, which can in turn lead to a specialized law career.

Concentration offerings vary among universities. Pursuing a concentration may involve completing advanced writing projects, seminar courses, internships, externships or volunteer work. Below, we list some common concentrations for J.D. students.

Public Service Law

This concentration may include coursework in civil rights, child advocacy, disability rights, criminal justice, employment equity, community economic development, social ventures and government service.

Dispute Resolution

This concentration may cover subject areas such as advocacy, negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, civil procedure, child advocacy and mediation.

Coursework in this concentration may cover fundamentals of health law, medical malpractice, ethics, humanitarian law, privacy law, mental health and the law, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and disability law.

Global Business Law

This concentration may include coursework in comparative commercial law, transnational commercial law, international business transactions, payment systems, bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions, taxation of corporations and shareholders, international trade law, global tax perspectives and international business compliance.

Intellectual Property Law

Coursework for this concentration may include patent law, trademark law and copyright law. In addition, you can choose electives such as entertainment law, antitrust and intellectual property rights, litigation strategies for protecting intellectual property and patent prosecution.

Environmental Law

An environmental law concentration encompasses subjects such as pollution control, natural resources law, administrative law, land use planning, U.S. coastal and ocean law, wildlife law and public land law.

International and Comparative Law

In this concentration, you can expect to study international environmental law, international business transactions, international humanitarian law, comparative intellectual property law, international criminal law, comparative corporate governance, Islamic law and international civil litigation.

Law, Business and Entrepreneurship

This concentration may require selecting a sub-concentration. Offerings may include business and securities litigation, capital markets, financial services and products law, general corporate counsel, social entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, small business law, and technology entrepreneurship law.

Criminal Law

This concentration may entail coursework in criminal procedure, evidence, computer criminal law practicum, forensic science, domestic violence law, white collar crime, child abuse and neglect, choosing a jury, direct and cross-examination, mental illness and the law and wrongful convictions.

Coursework for this concentration may encompass domestic violence law, child welfare law, child abuse and neglect, matrimonial family practice, estate planning, federal income tax and gratuitous transfers.

This concentration may feature courses in sports law, drug testing in professional sports, professional contract negotiation and arbitration, NCAA regulations, gender equity in athletics, employment discrimination law, immigration law, advertising and the law and practicum in sports law.

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Frequently Asked Questions About J.D. Degrees

What is a j.d. degree equivalent to.

Though lawyers who have earned J.D. degrees do not call themselves doctors, a J.D. is considered a professional doctoral degree. Attorneys who have passed the bar exam may choose to use the title “esquire,” after their names, which is abbreviated to “Esq.”

What GPA do you need for law school?

Newly admitted students at some of the top-ranked law schools, such as Yale University and the University of Michigan, tend to have undergraduate GPAs ranging from 3.75 to 3.95. Less competitive law schools may accept applicants with GPAs starting around 3.4. You may be able to compensate for a lower GPA with a high LSAT score.

What is the difference between an LL.B. and a J.D.?

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree is similar to a J.D. but takes a more practical teaching method. The LL.B. was once the standard first professional law degree in the U.S., but the J.D. has since taken that spot. In some countries, the LL.B. is still common.

What can you do with a J.D. degree?

J.D. graduates can choose from many career options. Most work in private practice at law firms or as solo practitioners. Others work in government offices, businesses, public interest roles, education or the military, or they may work as judicial clerks.

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JD Degree Programs

“I always knew I wanted to go to law school, but maybe back then I didn’t know what it meant to be a lawyer. … The more diverse the profession becomes, the more we can serve people who need our help.”

– Abyan Gurase’s story

The JD: What Every Lawyer Needs

If you’re considering pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, you aren’t alone. Thousands of people in the United States earn a JD every year, and our research shows they do so for a variety of reasons: to help others, to work in an exciting field, or to open doors to a variety of professions, among others. This page includes a summary of the JD degree, as well as resources you can use to plan your journey to law school.

The JD degree is considered to be a “first degree” in law. In other words, if you want to practice law in the United States, you will, in almost all cases, need a JD degree. But a JD isn’t just for people who want to become lawyers. Some people use a JD to become a law librarian, enter the world of academia, or go into consulting, among other careers. You might also find it useful if you want to enter politics or do advocacy work. 

What You Should Know

• JD degrees are offered by ABA-approved law schools, by schools that are not ABA-approved, and by many law schools in Canada and other countries around the world. Find a law school .
• In the U.S., admission to a JD program requires a bachelor’s degree. The admission requirements differ in other countries.
• Additionally, every school has its own set of requirements . Make sure you know what your schools require so that you can apply efficiently.
• Most JD programs are three-year, full-time programs. However, many law schools do offer part-time programs that take approximately four years to complete.
• LSAC’s flagship exam, the LSAT , is an integral part of the law school admission process in the U.S., Canada, and a growing number of other countries. All ABA-approved law schools accept the LSAT.

Planning Your Next Steps

If you’re planning to apply to multiple schools, signing up for LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) can save you time and work in doing so. When you use this service, you send your transcripts and letters of recommendation to LSAC one time, and we package everything for the schools to which you apply. We will also send updates to your schools when you add items to your file at LSAC.

There also is a way for law schools to find you. LSAC’s optional (and free) Candidate Referral Service (CRS) allows you to release information about yourself into a recruitment database that law schools use to reach out to potential applicants based on various characteristics such as undergraduate major and location. You can register for CRS through your free LSAC JD Account .

Check out LSAC’s JD Application Checklist to get an idea of what else you need to do — and how we can help.

Request More Information:

• JD Requirements
• LLM Requirements
• LLCM Requirements
• ML Degree Requirements
• SJD Requirements
• Joint Degrees & Certificates
• Legal Practice Skills
• Clinics & Externships
• Academic Support Program
• International Affairs
• Future of the Profession Initiative
• Legal Education Programs
• Executive Education
• Academic Calendar
• Learning Outcomes
• Advocacy Competitions

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School JD candidates are required to complete 86 semester hours at graduation during 6 semesters in law school residence.  Each JD student is required to complete, in addition to the required first-year curriculum, one course in Professional Responsibility, 6 semester hours of experiential learning, the Pro Bono Requirement, and a scholarly research and writing project (the Senior Writing Requirement). The details of each requirement and restrictions on co-curricular credits are explained below.

Credit Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD):

Candidates for the JD degree need to complete 86 semester hours at graduation during six semesters in law school residence.

Full-Time Attendance: students must enroll in at least 12 semester hours each semester and may enroll in no more than 17 semester hours per term toward the JD degree.

Students may receive up to 12 semester hours toward the JD graduation requirements for graduate-level courses taken in other departments upon establishing that these courses will contribute to one’s legal education.

Distance Education:  effective fall 2023, no more than 12 semester hours can be earned in distance education courses (both synchronous and asynchronous online) toward the 86 semester hours required for the JD degree.  It is important to also note that F1 visa holder make count only one online or distance learning class toward a full course of study each semester.

Experiential Learning: students must complete one or more experiential courses totaling at least six (6) semester hours. There are 60+ courses — including all clinics and externships — from the Law School’s curriculum designated as experiential. Experiential courses will be annotated on the course planning spreadsheet circulated by the Registrar each term; one can also search for experiential courses in the online Course Finder via the drop-down category menu. Contact the Law Registrar’s Office at [email protected] with any questions about the experiential learning requirement.

Co-Curricular Credit Restrictions: no more than 22 semester hours (of the 86 semester hours required for graduation) earned in co-curricular credit activities will count toward the JD degree. An additional restriction of 7 semester hours, of the total 22 semester hours, can be earned from sources listed in the column on the right below.  No more than 12 semester hours (of the 22 co-curricular semester hour restriction) can be earned via pre-approved courses outside of the Law School.   No more than 14 semester hours (of the 22 co-curricular semester hour restriction) can be earned in externships (both Gittis and ad hoc externships) - effective with the Class of 2025.  Semester hours earned through clinics do not count towards the co-curricular credit restriction.

 * First-year students cannot receive academic credit for participation in activities during their first year, nor will the activity be noted on the transcript. We encourage first-year students to add their participation in co-curricular activities to their resume.

Pro Bono Requirement

Pro bono is an integral part of Penn Carey Law’s unique approach to legal education. As part of the Law School’s belief that it is incumbent upon all lawyers, from all sectors to utilize the law to advance the public good, you must complete at least 70 hours of pro bono legal work as a graduation obligation.

The Toll Public Interest Center (TPIC) oversees the pro bono requirement and has relationships with hundreds of nonprofits, government and legal services agencies, and law firms locally, nationally, and globally. TPIC is home to more than 20 internally run pro bono projects, enabling you to satisfy your pro bono requirement while developing legal skills, building close relationships with your peers, and serving the causes and communities you care about.

Overview of requirement:

• All students must complete at least 35 hours of TPIC-approved pro bono by the last day of spring classes during the 2L year and a total of 70 hours must be completed by the last day of classes during the 3L year.
• Failure to complete 35 hours by the end of 2L will result in a registration hold being placed for the fall semester. Failure to complete the total 70 hours by the end of 3L will impede your graduation.
• You can perform pro bono via one of TPIC’s many pro bono projects, via TPIC’s pro bono internships, or by crafting your own experience and submitting a Self-Initiated Placement form for TPIC approval.

For more information and placement opportunities, please visit TPIC’s website or reach out via email .

Senior Research and Writing Requirement

Requirement and Goals: So that each JD student demonstrates proficiency in scholarly research and writing under close faculty supervision, you must participate in a scholarly research and writing project in either your second or third year. Your project should:

• Provide faculty-student intellectual interchange
• Give an opportunity for constructive faculty criticism regarding avenues of research, analysis, organization, and style
• Take the form of a single long paper or several shorter papers, as the supervising faculty member determines
• Be “scholarly” in that it excludes routine advocacy but not necessarily (in the discretion of the supervising faculty member) advocacy that results from a thorough and objective investigation of governing authority

Faculty Input: Your supervising faculty member, whether full-time or adjunct, will provide close personal supervision and comment, and you will undertake revision and further writing in light of the critiques. The senior research and writing experience will involve the following steps, each with faculty consultation:

a) Selection of the topic

b) Submission of a first draft

c) Submission of a final, revised draft that meets, to the faculty member’s satisfaction, the standard of proficiency in scholarly research and writing

Deadlines: Your research and writing should be sustained over one or more semesters. Early and realistic deadlines should be set for initial drafts to permit adequate time for faculty comments and for your final draft preparation.  

Ways to Satisfy the Requirement:  The Senior Writing Requirement cannot be satisfied through a course that is also being counted towards a different graduation requirement, such as the experiential credit requirement or Professional Responsibility.  Provided that the rules and standards set forth above are met, the senior writing requirement may be satisfied in many ways, including (without limitation):

a) Seminars

b) Work in independent studies

c) Papers in lieu of examinations in regular law school courses (always confirm such an arrangement with your faculty member at the start the semester)

d) Notes or comments written for student journals

e) Work as a faculty research assistant, provided that you are not also being compensated

Your research and writing project need not be graded or receive academic credit in order to satisfy the senior writing requirement.

Documentation: You are responsible for identifying a faculty member to supervise your senior writing project. Once you have secured the faculty member’s agreement to supervise, you must submit a Faculty Agreement to Supervise Senior Writing form to the Registrar’s Office. Please note that the submission of the Faculty Agreement form does NOT signal the requirement has been met, but only that a faculty member has agreed to serve as a supervisor.

Satisfaction of the Senior Writing Requirement: Once the senior writing requirement has been satisfied, have your advising faculty member send a confirmation to the Registrar’s Office. Your transcript will then be updated to reflect completion of requirement.

Professional Responsibility Requirement

All students are required to take a course in legal ethics. The requirement may be satisfied by completing any one of the professional responsibility courses.

Transfer Students

Students entering on advanced standing are reminded that in order to satisfy the 86-semester hour requirement for the JD, they must also:

• Complete the Senior Writing Requirement;
• Complete the Public Service Requirement;
• Complete six-semester hour Experiential Learning credits;
• Take no more than 12 semester hours of distance education credits; 
• Be in compliance with the max co-curricular credit restrictions; 
• Satisfy the Professional Responsibility Requirement in either your second or third year

You may also be required to complete first-year courses offered by this Law School if you have not already completed them in your first year. The credits for these courses, however, may be counted toward the credits required for graduation. You will receive a letter from the Registrar that will indicate your degree requirements and required courses, if any, that must be completed. The courses to be completed or waived are Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, and Torts.

A Continuing Duty to Report Conduct

Throughout the course of your enrollment at the Law School, you have a continuing duty to report to the Dean of Students any matters involving your interactions with legal authorities, legal actions taken by or against you, or charges brought by University disciplinary offices. Such actions include but are not limited to arrests, citations, lawsuits, subpoenas, traffic violations, or violations of Penn policies. At the time you apply for Bar admission, the Bar authorities in each jurisdiction will seek to determine that information in your Bar application is congruent with your Law School student file. In order to simplify your admission to the Bar at such time as you are reviewed for “character and fitness,” you must make any such activity known to the Law School immediately on occurrence.

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JD Programs

Our primary academic program is the juris doctor (JD) degree, which includes our joint degree programs: JD-MBA, JD-PhD, JD-LLM in Taxation, and  JD-LLM in International Human Rights.

We also offer a Two-Year JD program designed for internationally educated attorneys, as well as opportunities for students to transfer or become a visiting student at Northwestern Pritzker Law.

The JD program at Northwestern Pritzker Law empowers our graduates to adapt to and master the challenges of the changing world better than those of any other law school. 

The Kellogg School and Northwestern Pritzker Law offer the only integrated Juris Doctor MBA program. The JD-MBA gives students a thorough grounding in both management and law. 

Northwestern's JD-PhD program is open to students who intend to pursue an academic or research career and whose teaching and research will be enriched by both degrees. 

JD-LLM in Taxation

By enrolling in the j oint JD-LLM in Taxation Program , students can maximize their time in law school by earning their JD and LLM Tax degrees sequentially. This comprehensive course of study will provide them with the knowledge necessary to enter the practice of tax law.

JD-LLM in International Human Rights  

Northwestern Pritzker Law and its Center for International Human Rights offers a four-year joint degree program leading to both a JD and an LLM in International Human Rights, with a focus on both international human rights law and international criminal law.

International Dual Degrees

For students who wish to gain a more in-depth international experience or seek work abroad after graduation, Northwestern Pritzker Law offers two international dual-degree programs, the JD-LLM in International Business Law in Madrid, and the JD-Master in Economic Law in Paris.

Two-Year JD for International Lawyers

Northwestern Pritzker Law is one of the first law schools in the country to offer a Two-Year JD program for foreign-educated attorneys. Students who are admitted to the program receive one year of credit for their foreign law degree.

Each summer, Northwestern Pritzker Law accepts a small group of transfer students for fall admission to our JD program. 

Students currently enrolled at an Association of American Law Schools member school may be admitted to Northwestern Pritzker Law as visiting students for a single term or an academic year.  

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Juris Doctor, JD

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The Juris Doctor (JD) degree at ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is a three-year full-time program.

ASU Law first-year JD students take courses in civil procedure, contracts, torts, legal method and writing, property, constitutional law, criminal law, legal advocacy, and professional responsibility. Courses in the first-year curriculum are required and are administratively assigned. Generally, the required course load for the first year is 15 assigned credits in the fall and spring semesters. Several  focused programs  can enhance JD students' experiences.

You can pursue a JD concurrently with other degrees from ASU like a Master in Business Administration (MBA), Master in Social Work (MSW), Master of Sports Law and Business (MSLB), or a PhD in Justice Studies. Mayo Clinic School of Medicine students also have an opportunity to pursue a  dual JD/MD degree .

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Quick facts

Next start date: August 2024

Total credit hours: 88

Students who receive scholarships: 100%

Year full-time program: 3

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How can a Juris Doctor degree help you?

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree at ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is a three-year full-time program that incorporates practical learning and experiences. Learning outcomes for the JD degree include competency in the following:

• Knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law;
• Legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, problem-solving, and written and oral communication in the legal context;
• Exercise of proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system; and
• Other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession.

Why ASU Law?

ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers. 

The highest-ranked law school in Arizona and the No. 15 public law school in the U.S., ASU Law is proven to train skilled lawyers and leaders. The school abides by the ASU charter and is measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes. That philosophy is baked into everything ASU Law does.

  Learn more about ASU Law  

Juris Doctor program details

JD students must complete 88 credit hours and a written substantial paper in order to meet graduation requirements.

For those who have been wanting to go to law school but could not eliminate all of the other obligations in their lives to allow for full-time enrollment, we also offer a Flexible Schedule.

Attendance is on a full-time basis - first-year JD students are not permitted to work, and second- and third-year students may not work more than 20 hours per week. If you cannot attend law school full-time, please review the information about the Flexible Schedule option .

Learn more and apply

Kurt “KJ” Russell Jr., Juris Doctor

"During my time at ASU Law, one of the most profound lessons I learned was the paramount importance of relationships with classmates, mentors and sponsors. While I anticipated the academic rigor and legal knowledge gained in the classroom, what truly surprised me was the transformative impact of forging meaningful connections with my peers and mentors. In the classroom, collaborating with classmates on group projects and engaging in discussions opened my eyes to diverse perspectives and approaches to legal issues.

"I realized that these relationships with my fellow students weren't just about studying together; they were about cultivating a network of future colleagues and industry mates. As we shared ideas, debated legal theories and supported each other through the challenges of law school, I came to understand the invaluable role that these relationships would play in my future career. These classmates would be my coworkers and potential collaborators, referral sources and lifelong friends within the legal profession."

Read KJ's story

Juris Doctor Certificates

Juris Doctor (JD) students have a unique opportunity to pursue the following certificates:  

Student life

ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law offers a rich and vibrant student life. Students are involved in range of activities such as public service and  pro bono  work,  student organizations , academic  law journals , externship programs  and  moot court  competitions.

Students also participate in professional conferences and events organized by the law school or student groups in order to broaden their perspective, gain practical experience, and network.

World-class faculty

A law school is only as strong as its faculty. At the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, students learn from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors . They have played an integral role in ASU Law establishing itself as one of the highest ranked public law schools in the nation, a leading center of scholarly exchange with a tradition of exceptional bar-passage and quality job-placement rates.

Juris Doctor graduates go on to join law firms, start their own firms or companies, move up in their existing careers or work in public service. 

Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The career services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they enter the workforce. 

Learn more about Career Services      ASU Law employment

Living in Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix is the main location for ASU Law. Students who study in Phoenix at the Beus Center for Law and Society gain access to a quality education in a state-of-the-art facility. Located just steps from government agencies and large law firms, the Phoenix location offers everything that a fast-growing metropolis can. 

largest city in the U.S. according to U.S. Census Bureau

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state for job growth, according to Forbes

The largest state capital in the nation, Phoenix offers a unique confluence of city, county, state and federal courts, along with numerous prominent law firms and nonprofit organizations – many within walking distance or a short light-rail ride from ASU Law’s campus. 

An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Arizona offers many places to explore that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you love to hike, hit the water, relax, challenge yourself, learn something new, explore history in person, Arizona has it all. 

Phoenix is one of only 19 metro areas in the U.S. that has professional teams in all four major sports — MLB, NBA, NFL and the NHL — with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals.

Learn more about Phoenix

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What Is a Juris Doctor (JD)?

• Understanding the JD Degree
• Requirements
• Two-Year JD Degrees

Common Coursework for JD Programs

• Job Prospects
• Job Responsibilities

The Bottom Line

• Government & Policy

Juris Doctor (JD): Definition, Requirements, History, and Jobs

James Chen, CMT is an expert trader, investment adviser, and global market strategist.

A Juris Doctor (JD) is a three-year professional degree that confers recognition that the holder has a professional degree in law. Upon completion of a JD. program and passing the bar exam, individuals are eligible to practice law in their jurisdiction. This means they can represent clients, provide legal advice, and advocate for their clients in court.

Key Takeaways

• The American law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD), is a three-year professional degree.
• Law school applicants must already have a bachelor's degree.
• It typically takes three years to complete the J.D. degree, after which the graduate must pass the bar exam to practice law.
• Drexel, Rutgers, Columbia, and Fordham are among the schools that offer a two-year J.D. degree option.

Understanding Juris Doctor (JD)

A JD degree is a professional graduate degree in law. It is the standard degree required to practice law in the United States and in most other common law jurisdictions. Most JD programs typically involves three years of full-time study or its equivalency in part-time studies.

Some schools offer a joint J.D. and MBA degree so that students can complete both degrees in less time than it would take to complete each separately. Other combined graduate degrees include public policy, medicine, and bioengineering.

Law school applicants must already have a bachelor's degree . It typically takes three years to complete the J.D. degree, after which the graduate must pass the bar exam to practice law. Each state and the District of Columbia has its own bar exam.

Obtaining a JD degree is different than passing the bar. Most often, students pursue the materials needed to pass the bar as part of their JD studies.

History of the JD Degree

The first lawyers trained in the United States underwent an apprenticeship and training with a lawyer who served as a mentor. The first formal law degree granted in the country was a Bachelor of Law from the College of William and Mary in 1793. Harvard University changed the name of the degree to the Latin "Legum Baccalaureus," known as the LL.B., and led the 19th-century movement for a scientific study of law. The LL.B. remains the standard degree in most of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The faculty of Harvard Law School first suggested changing the degree from LL.B. to J.D. in 1902 to reflect the professional nature of the degree. In 1903, the University of Chicago, which was one of only five law schools that required students to have a bachelor's degree before enrollment, granted the first J.D. degree.  Many law schools offered both an LL.B. to students who entered without a bachelor's degree and a J.D. to students entering with a bachelor's degree.

By the early 1960s, most students entered law school with a bachelor's degree. In 1965, the American Bar Association recommended the standard law degree be the J.D., and that decree took effect by the end of the decade.

Requirements for a JD Degree

In order to get into law school, you must have an undergraduate degree, have passed the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), request your official transcripts from your undergraduate institution(s), obtain letters of recommendation, and write a personal statement.

Complete a Bachelor's Degree

While many graduate programs require the completion of certain prerequisite courses, there are no such requirements for prospective law students. However, you must have earned (or be on track to earn) an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Your undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is a key indicator law schools consider when evaluating applicants.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

You'll also need to take the LSAT. The basic fee for the LSAT during the 2023-2024 academic year is $222 plus $200 for Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and an additional $45 fee for each CAS report sent to the law schools you apply to. Most people end up paying $500 or more in total LSAT fees.

It is generally recommended that you spend at least three months studying for the exam, although many people dedicate up to a year studying for the exam. There are many resources online to help you study for the LSAT, including free resources. Organized prep courses that guide you through the different components of the LSAT can be quite expensive. Some individuals opt to hire a private tutor to help them prepare for the LSAT.

Request Your Official Transcripts

Law schools require official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Each copy of your official transcript can cost between $10 and $20, so depending on how many schools you apply to, this amount can add up. The process of requesting your transcript and then getting them sent to the appropriate institution can take several days, so make sure that you give yourself adequate time.

Write a Personal Statement

A personal statement is your opportunity to reveal your personality to the admissions committee. It's a good idea if your personal statement covers your career goals and academic achievements, although there are many different approaches. Some schools may have specific prompts they want you to address in your personal statement.

Obtain Letters of Recommendation

Most law schools will require at least one letter of recommendation. Your letters of recommendation can be from undergraduate professors or former employers that can speak to various elements of your success.

Tuition varies dramatically between law schools. In 2023, top law schools will cost nearly $70,000, while there are plenty of laws schools that charge less than $20,000.

Two-Year JD Degrees

Job prospects for lawyers fell sharply following the 2008 financial market collapse, and law school enrollment dropped by 24% from 2010 to 2013. With tuition continuing to rise, some schools have looked at shortening the program. Drexel, Rutgers, Columbia, and Fordham are among the schools that offer a two-year J.D. option or allow students to start their first year of law school after completing the third year of college.

JD programs typically structure their coursework to provide students with a fairly comprehensive study. During the first year, commonly referred to as the 1L year, students delve into foundational subjects such as contracts, torts, property law, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law. These courses lay the groundwork for legal analysis and reasoning, both of which are leveraged as the student progresses with their degree.

As students progress into their second and third years, they often explore more specialized areas of law through. These may include corporate law, environmental law, intellectual property, family law, international law, or tax law. Students usually also get exposure to legal writing and research courses regardless of their specialization.

In addition to classes, many law schools offer clinical programs, externships, and internships where students can apply their legal knowledge in real-world settings. This gives prospective JDs an opportunity to function under the supervision of licensed attorneys.

Job Prospects for JD Degrees

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for lawyers is promising with a projected 8% growth from 2022 to 2032. This growth rate exceeds the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 39,100 job openings annually during this decade.

The demand for legal services remains high, driven by the legal needs of individuals, businesses, and government entities. However, increasing price competition may lead law firms to reconsider staffing and cost-saving measures.

Job Responsibilities for JD Holders

A juris doctor graduate performs a wide range of legal tasks and responsibilities which can vary depending on their specialization and practice area. Here are some common things that a JD holder may do.

• Legal Research: Lawyers use their research skills to investigate and understand the relevant laws, regulations, precedents, and case law that pertain to their clients' cases. They analyze legal sources to build strong arguments and support their clients' positions.
• Client Consultation: Lawyers meet with clients to discuss their legal issues and provide guidance. During these consultations, they assess the situation, offer legal advice, and discuss potential strategies or courses of action.
• Document Drafting: Lawyers are responsible for drafting various legal documents, including contracts, wills, deeds, legal briefs, pleadings, and agreements. These documents serve as formal records of legal transactions and arguments.
• Negotiation: Many lawyers engage in negotiation on behalf of their clients to reach mutually beneficial settlements and agreements. Negotiation skills are crucial in areas like family law, personal injury, and business transactions.
• Legal Analysis: Lawyers analyze complex legal issues, breaking them down to identify relevant laws, regulations, and case law. They assess the strengths and weaknesses of legal arguments and provide strategic advice to their clients.
• Mediation and Arbitration: Some lawyers specialize in alternative dispute resolution methods, like mediation and arbitration. They act as neutral parties to facilitate negotiations and resolve disputes without the need for a court trial.
• Compliance and Regulatory Work: Lawyers in areas such as corporate law, environmental law, and healthcare law ensure their clients comply with relevant laws and regulations. They help clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks and minimize legal risks.
• Specialized Work: Many lawyers specialize in specific practice areas, such as criminal defense, family law, intellectual property, tax law, immigration law, or corporate law. Specialization allows them to focus on particular legal issues and become experts in their chosen field.

What Is a JD Degree Equivalent to?

A JD degree, the American law degree, is a three-year professional degree. A JD is the minimum educational level for lawyers. The JD is considered a professional doctorate.

Is a JD a Lawyer?

To become a lawyer, you'll need to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Once you graduate, you are entitled to take the bar exam and begin the practice of law. Obtaining a JD degree alone does not permit you to practice law. You must also pass the bar exam. Every state (and the District of Columbia) has its own bar exam.

Is a JD Higher Than a Masters?

While the JD is the only degree necessary to become a professor of law or to obtain a license to practice law, it is not a research degree. However, there are two types of research degrees available to individuals who are interested in studying law. These are the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, which typically requires a JD as a prerequisite before pursuing study, and the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD/JSD) degree, which typically requires a Master of Laws as a prerequisite.

Is Someone With a JD a Doctor?

It is not customary in the U.S. to address individuals who hold a JD as a "Doctor." In the late 1960s, the Canons of Professional Ethics issued a full ethics opinion regarding whether lawyers could ethically use the title "Doctor." The organization came down against this usage, with some exceptions. It is permissible for lawyers to use the title "Doctor" when dealing with countries where the use of "Doctor" by lawyers is standard practice. In addition, lawyers are allowed the use of the title in academia as long as the school of graduation considers the JD degree a doctorate degree.

How Many Years Is a JD Degree?

A traditional, full-time JD program lasts three years. There are some accelerated programs that allow individuals to complete their degrees in just two years or their undergraduate and JD degrees in a total of six years. Part-time JD programs usually take four years (or more) to finish.

A Juris Doctor is a professional graduate degree in law, typically required to become a practicing attorney in the United States and some other countries. It involves a comprehensive study of legal principles, statutes, and case law, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for a legal career.

Stanford Law School. " A Brief History of Stanford Law School: Seventy Fifth Anniversary ."

Harvard Law School Library. " What Is the Difference Between LL.B Degree and the J.D. Degree? "

LSAC. " LSAT & CAS Fees ."

PublicLegal. " Law School Rankings By Tuition ."

The New York Times. " Law Schools’ Applications Fall as Costs Rise and Jobs Are Cut ."

University of Wisconsin-Madison. " J.D. Curriculum ."

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Occupational Outlook Handbook: Lawyer ."

American Bar Association Journal. " Summaries of Informal Opinions on Professional Ethics ."

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Explore Michigan Law’s JD Program

The Michigan Law experience is characterized by intellectual excellence and rigor, analytic and theoretical, that comes from our world-renowned faculty—top scholars and practitioners in their fields.

The Michigan Law curriculum includes both doctrinal and experiential teaching, so you’ll learn how to analyze complex legal issues with a holistic perspective and to apply theory in a real-world setting.

The 1L Experience

Law school—particularly the first year—has a reputation for being difficult. And yet Michigan Law students and alumni, known to rave about their time in school, frequently focus on their 1L year as a key element of their positive experience. 

This is neither a coincidence nor evidence of the Admissions Office tampering with the Ann Arbor water supply. It is, however, indicative of Michigan Law’s approach to the law school experience, including the intentional design of its curriculum.

As a 1L at Michigan, you will explore legal doctrines with world-class scholars and practitioners. You will have the opportunity and flexibility to pursue your own academic interests. And you will develop your writing, advocacy, and analytical skills in a comprehensive legal practice program.

The first year at Michigan will provide you with the foundation and skills to thrive both in law school and beyond, all while laying the groundwork for close and lasting connections with your classmates and professors—an immersive introduction into the legal profession that sets the tone for students’ academic and professional careers.

Core 1L Doctrinal Courses

2l and 3l coursework.

After the first year, students design their education to best fit their individual needs. 

As a second- and third-year law student, you will have your pick from a vast selection of courses both inside and outside the Law Quad, with only a few (easily satisfied) requirements:

International and Regulatory Coursework

Before graduating, students must take a class to fulfill distribution requirements in international and comparative law and in statutory and regulatory law.

International and Comparative Law      Administrative Law    

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Each student must take a course addressing legal ethics and professional responsibility.

Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility    

Writing Skills

All students must complete a course (apart from Legal Practice) with a substantial writing component.

Legal Writing and Research    

Experiential Learning

You will need to participate in Michigan Law’s offerings for experiential education. This can be satisfied through clinical work, practice simulations, or externships. 

Experiential Learning  

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Online J.D. Program

Welcome to st. mary’s law, where we lead with tradition and innovation., this is a limited enrollment, part-time program..

We understand that not all students have the time to enroll in law school full-time or the ability to attend classes on campus. For students with considerably more outside responsibilities,  the St. Mary’s University School of Law is proud to offer the first fully online J.D. program accredited by the American Bar Association in the nation.

Our renowned faculty, which consists of legal experts in specialties from business law to international law, receives extensive training in online education and pedagogy, and all professors are fully certified to teach online.

As an online student at St. Mary’s Law, you will have access to the same opportunities and resources as a full-time student, including career counseling and advice through the  Office of Career Strategy, academic advising from the Office of Law Success, and student services from the Office of Law Student Affairs .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (click to expand)

How will classes be taught.

The online J.D. program will consist of 50% synchronous and 50% asynchronous teaching methods for the first-year curriculum. Upper-level courses may be offered as a combination of synchronous and asynchronous methods, or fully asynchronous with heightened requirements for student interaction and stricter enrollment caps.

How will the online J.D. prepare me for the bar exam?

St. Mary’s Law has a robust, data-driven bar preparation program that is individually tailored to each student. In addition to providing extensive coaching and custom bar study schedules, our instructors work with each student to understand what approach works best for them. Online students will also have 100% access to all of our bar coaching resources. Students can expect to receive a personal bar study coach who will check in with them, set up one-on-one meetings over Zoom and help them assess their progress.

Can I decide to move from the online program to the full-time program?

After completing the first-year curriculum online, online J.D. students may opt to continue in the in-person full-time program.

Can international students apply for the online J.D.?

International students are not automatically excluded from admission to the online J.D. program; however, the program is unlikely to meet the unique needs of international students given differences in time zones and synchronous class meeting times. Rather, the program’s intent is to expand access to legal education in South Texas, and to offer opportunities nationally to those who would find it difficult to pursue a traditional in-person J.D.

Can I participate in campus events and extracurricular activities?

Online students are invited to visit campus and participate in any on-campus activities or meet with faculty and staff for assistance, at any time during their degree program. Online students will also be able to complete externships, pro bono activities and non-clinic experiential learning in the online environment. Faculty and staff will be fully available to online students through virtual office hours, email, and individual Zoom meetings. Our faculty prides itself on an open-door policy that we are eager to extend to our online cohort.

Can I participate in Registered Student Organizations?

One hallmark of the St. Mary’s J.D. experience is getting involved on campus. As an online student, you will have the opportunity to choose from more than 30 active registered student organizations, which promote a variety of interests and practice areas. Online students can even start their own student organizations and are encouraged to do so.

Is there anything I cannot do as an online student?

Not every elective course in the course directory will be offered in an online format every semester. However, students will have significant advance notice of elective availability for each upcoming semester, and will receive course advising that maximizes their educational opportunities based on interest and career goals.

Will I have to attend orientation as an online student?

To welcome all incoming J.D. students to St. Mary’s, the law school hosts a three-day, in-person Orientation program. This program introduces students to our Marianist tradition, the practice of law, the skills needed to be successful in law school and allows for opportunities to meet classmates and professors. Highlights include a mock law school class, a practice law school exam, chances to mingle with alumni and a class service project. Online students are strongly encouraged to attend this Orientation in person, and will receive information about lodging, timing and the experience as the date approaches. Online students are also encouraged to participate in our innovative First Generation Student Boot Camp, which provides several days of skills training for students entering law school as the first lawyer in their family.

Will I need to attend in-person sessions as part of my online education?

No, although there will be activities such as Orientation, that you will be strongly encouraged to attend in person.

Where can I view tuition information about the online J.D. program?

Online J.D. students will pay the current part-time tuition rate, which can be viewed in the Tuition and Fees webpage .  St. Mary’s is proud to offer an online J.D. that provides the same quality teaching, student services and community that are hallmarks of our in-person degree.  As such, online J.D. students should expect an engaging and informative classroom experience and an open “virtual” door to our online-certified faculty.  Additionally, online students will have the opportunity to take advantage of our career and academic counseling, pro bono opportunities, networking events and more.  And, the online degree comes with a significant cost savings in living expenses, board and transportation.

Curriculum for Online Students

As an online student, you will take a planned curriculum designed to teach you the foundations of substantive law and the applications of legal writing and analysis. You will always have the option of taking an in-person course, but it is not required for completion of the degree. To ensure that our online students receive a quality educational experience, our online cohort will be capped at 25 students.

View the Course Schedule for more information on the courses.

• Contracts I (2 hours)
• Civ. Pro. (4 hours)
• Legal Communication, Analysis & Professionalism (LCAP) (3 hours)

Second Term

• Contracts II (2 hours)
• Property (4 hours)
• LCAP II (3 hours)
• Criminal Law (2 or 3 hours)
• Professional Responsibility (3 hours)

Fourth Term

• Torts (4 hours)
• Constitutional Law (4 hours)

Fifth Term (Start of Second-Year Curriculum)

• Business Associations (3 hours)
• Family Law (3 hours)
• Evidence (3 or 4 hours)

Seventh Term

• Con Crim Pro. (3 hours)
• Wills, Estates & Trusts (4 hours)

Eighth Term

• Conflicts of Law (3 hours)
• Sales (2 hours)

Ninth Term (Start of Third-Year Curriculum)

• Secured Transactions (3 hours)
• Mortgages (3 hours)

Eleventh Term

Accreditation, academic requirements.

Applicants may apply to either the full-time day program or the part-time online program, but not to both. Admission and graduation standards are the same for both J.D. programs.

A candidate for the J.D. program must earn a minimum of 90 credit hours in order to graduate.  Additionally, J.D. students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher to graduate.   Other curricular and academic requirements will apply. Requirements are set forth in the  St. Mary’s School of Law Student Handbook .

Considering the online program?

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J.D. Curriculum and Coursework

Full-time j.d. program.

Our full-time J.D. program combines practical skills, theoretical knowledge and comprehensive mentoring with a unique mission that inspires our commitments to social justice, service, relationships and professional ethics.

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J.d. curriculum, second and third years, additional requirements.

Full-time J.D. students complete their first course, Moral Reasoning for Lawyers: Foundations I, during orientation. During the fall semester, students take four courses, including Lawyering Skills I, the first two classes of our nationally recognized legal research, analysis and writing program. First year students take six courses in the spring, including Lawyering Skills II and Foundations II and III.

This structure allows you to address more intellectually challenging problems and reduces the number of final exams. To ensure feedback on progress, each course includes a graded midterm examination or evaluation.

Fall Courses (16 credits required)

• LAWS 600 Civil Procedure
• LAWS 610 Contracts
• LAWS 620 Lawyering Skills I
• LAWS 635 Torts
• LAWS 640 Moral Reasoning for Lawyers: Foundations I (orientation week only)

Spring Courses (15 credits required)

• LAWS 605 Constitutional Law
• LAWS 615 Criminal Law
• LAWS 625 Lawyering Skills II
• LAWS 630 Property
• LAWS 641* Serving Clients Well: Foundations II (mid-January)
• LAWS 642 Business Basics for Lawyers: Foundations III (mid- to late spring semester)

1L Sample Schedule

Subject to change. The University of St. Thomas reserves the right to amend the degree requirements and to add to or delete from the list of courses that satisfy the degree requirements at any time.

As an upper-level student, you will take 14 credits of required courses and 43 credits of electives. Two of the required courses (Lawyering Skills III and Professional Responsibility) must be taken in your second year. You also are required to complete a significant research paper under the supervision of a faculty member.

Required second-year courses (6 credits)

• LAWS 715: Lawyering Skills III
• LAWS 725: Professional Responsibility
• LAWS 930: Mentor Externship

Other required upper-level courses (8 credits)

• LAWS 700: Business Associations
• LAWS 705: Evidence
• LAWS 933: Mentor Externship

Students must complete 88 credit hours and fulfill the non-course requirements below to receive a J.D.

Mentor Externship

St. Thomas pairs each law student with a professional mentor each year of law school through our Mentor Externship Program. The overall focus of the program is on building relationships and helping students gain experience in the legal profession. First year students are required to log 18 hours of fieldwork. Second- and third-year students complete 30 hours of fieldwork per year while also completing a required one credit seminar each year. The mentor externship program

Experiential Learning

Students must take six credits of “experiential learning” coursework to graduate. Serving Clients Well (LAWS 641) and Mentor Externship I and II (LAWS 930 and 933) provide three of the six credits needed to fulfill the “experiential learning” requirement before graduation. The other 3 credits can come through a legal clinic, externship or another approved course with practical elements like negotiation, trial advocacy, etc.

Upper-level Writing Requirement

Each student must demonstrate competence by producing a paper or two related papers under the supervision of a professor. To meet the upper-level writing requirement, the paper must reflect substantial legal research and reflect critical analysis. See our Academic Policy Manual for more information (section III-A-3).

Public Service Program

Lawyers are in a strong position to effect positive institutional and social change. As such, we expect and encourage all law students to explore a variety of ways their interests, skills and talents can best serve the public‎‎. As a requirement for graduation, all J.D. students must complete 50 hours of public service during law school. The Public Service Program

Joint Degrees & Concentrations

J.d. + mba: master of business administration, j.d. + m.s.w.: master of social work, j.d. + m.a.: master of arts in catholic studies, j.d. + ll.m. or concentration: org. ethics & compliance.

The J.D./MBA program, offered in partnership with the St. Thomas Opus College of Business, builds students’ business acumen and understanding of the legal framework in which organizations operate.

The J.D./M.S.W. program provides students with both a social and legal perspective to meet the social work and legal challenges in many areas of professional practice.

The J.D./MA program fosters the intellectual, spiritual and personal growth of students and diversifies their career opportunities.

The J.D./LL.M. dual-degree program equips students with the skills to become stewards of corporate behavior and help organizations navigate industry and government regulations. For those who want more depth and a note on their transcript and resume, we have a concentration in compliance.

A Mentor for Every Law Student

Our award-winning Mentor Externship Program pairs you, each year of law school, with a lawyer or judge working in your area of interest who will help you gain work experience, develop relationships and navigate the legal field.

A National Leader in Practical Training

St. Thomas Law’s practical training opportunities allow students to learn through experiences, build their resumes and develop professional relationships. The school was ranked second in the nation for practical training in 2024 by The National Jurist.

Legal Clinics

Legal clinics offer law students the opportunity to tackle legal issues and work with clients while working alongside faculty experts.

Off-campus legal externships provide hands-on professional experience and accelerate a student’s substantive understanding of the law.

The Bar Exam

St. Thomas Law is committed to a 100% bar exam pass rate for all its graduates. Before graduation, the Office of Academic Achievement supports students in the classroom and as they prepare for the bar. After graduation, our Office of Career and Professional Development assists students through the one-year J.D. Compass program, which will pair you with a strategist who will support you as you prepare to take the bar exam and work with you one-on-one to help you secure full-time, long-term employment.

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Featured Faculty

The University of St. Thomas School of Law is committed to being a leader in academic scholarship that expands society’s knowledge about the law and sheds light on complex legal problems. In 2021, out of 200 law schools nationwide, St. Thomas Law’s world-class faculty ranked #23 for scholarly impact.

Julie Oseid

Carl Warren

Professor Osler's work advocates for sentencing and clemency policies rooted in principles of human dignity. He is a former federal prosecutor, author of the casebook Contemporary Criminal Law and leads the law school’s Commutations Clinic.

Robert Kahn

Professor Kahn is the author of "Holocaust Denial and the Law: A Comparative Study." His subsequent research has focused on hate speech directed at Muslims (including the Danish Cartoons), defamation of religions, cross-burning and memory laws.

Teresa Stanton Collett

Professor Collett is a well-known advocate for the protection of human life and the family. She specializes in the subjects of marriage, religion and bioethics in her research.

Professor Berg teaches constitutional law, religious liberty and intellectual property. He also leads the religious liberty appellate clinic, where he supervises students in writing and filing briefs in major religious liberty cases for the Supreme Court and lower courts.

Julie Jonas

Julie Jonas' scholarship focuses on wrongful convictions. She also works on policy issues and she has been instrumental in the passing of several Minnesota wrongful conviction laws.

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Become Part of the Community

We recognize that lawyers are in a strong position to effect positive institutional and social change. As such, we expect and encourage all law students to explore a variety of ways their interests, skills and talents can best serve the public‎‎. As a requirement for graduation, all St. Thomas J.D. students complete 50 hours of public service during law school.

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Law in an International Context

St. Thomas law students have studied around the world, including Pázmány Péter Catholic University, our partner school in Budapest, Hungary. If you decide you want to stay abroad during law school, our faculty and staff will help you apply to an ABA-approved program.

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Joint Degree and Cooperative Programs

Joint degrees within stanford university.

Stanford Law School offers three types of joint degree—JD/Master’s, JD/MD, and JD/PhD—in 21 subject areas.

JD/Master’s

Our JD/Master’s programs are ideal for students who plan to practice law after graduation, though they may also be helpful for students interested in an academic career. Most JD/Master’s degrees can be completed in three years, although several may take longer, depending on the specific master’s degree.

Three of the world’s most high-impact fields — law, medicine, and biosciences — come together in Stanford Law’s JD/MD program. Stanford is one of just a handful of universities with top-ranked schools of both law and medicine as well as a robust program in biosciences. A university-wide tradition of encouraging and nurturing innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration — along with a location in Silicon Valley, with its thriving biotech and medtech industries — makes Stanford a particularly welcoming home for work that merges these three dynamic disciplines. See Law and Medicine for more info .

Students interested in an academic career—or those seeking greater depth in another discipline—may want to consider a JD/PhD. The length of time required for these degrees varies depending how long it takes to complete a dissertation, but under Stanford Law’s innovative programs, the typical JD/PhD can be completed in anywhere from 18 months to two years less time than required anywhere else. More important, a Stanford JD/PhD can be completed at one–third the cost of a similar joint degree anywhere else.

Because of the cross-crediting of units and because JD/PhD candidates are expected to spend only one year in full-time residence at the law school (the rest of their academic career is spent in the PhD department with full funding and with allowances made to register for courses at the law school), students need at most to pay for one year of law school.

Note to applicants: The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program awards full funding to Stanford graduate students from all disciplines, with additional opportunities for leadership training and collaboration across fields.

Applications for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars are due in early Autumn one year prior to enrollment. View dates and deadlines . You can also sign up for Knight-Hennessy Scholars email alerts to stay up to date on the availability of their online application.

Learn more about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program

Established Joint Degrees

Hearing From Previous Joint Degree Students

SLS Students Offer Advice to Those Considering a Joint Degree

SLS Students Describe What a "Typical Day" Is Like For Those Getting a Joint Degree

SLS Students Discuss the Advantages of Getting a Joint Degree at Stanford

Cooperative Programs with Other Universities

Stanford JD students also have pursued degrees with other universities. For example, Stanford JD students have pursued degrees at Harvard Kennedy School, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and Princeton Woodrow Wilson School. The approval process begins after you are admitted, independently, to both programs you wish to pursue. Please note, you may enroll in either a joint degree among schools at Stanford or a degree from an external university, but not both.

Degree Requirements

• Of the 111 quarter units required for the JD, you must earn at least 80 units at the Law School under a Law School course listing. You may fulfill up to all of the remaining 31 units via coursework taken in your other program, whether at Stanford University or another institution; however, restrictions may apply and you should check with the bar examiners of the state in which you intend to practice about any restrictions they may impose. (In the case of JD/PhD programs, Stanford Law School may award the JD degree upon completion of the JD degree requirements.)
• You must spend 7 quarters of full-time study at the Law School.

Course Requirements

Both schools related to the joint degree must approve your curriculum choices. In some instances, you may work from a preapproved list of joint degree courses; in others, you may customize a course of study. In any case, however, you will be able to work with particular advisors from both schools to determine and obtain approval for your curriculum.

To the extent that courses under a joint degree program originate outside the law school but count toward the law degree, law school credits shall be permitted only in accordance with ABA accreditation standards. To learn more about course requirements, please see links to specific degrees.

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Jd/mpa dual degree program.

Unlock Your Potential with our JD/MPA Dual Degree Program

Explore The Program

What you will study, benefits you receive, career options, getting admitted, student support, about the jd/mpa dual degree program.

The School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University and the University of San Diego’s School of Law offer a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) dual degree program for students interested in examining the interface of law, public administration and management. 

With an innovative and rigorous curriculum across two competitive universities, this dual-degree program in public administration and law is designed for those who have a desire to contribute to policymaking through a public service perspective. Graduates will be equipped to practice law in large private, governmental or nonprofit organizations.

Program Highlights

Dual Coursework

More Career Options

Grow Your Network

Strengthen your professional network with access to a global network of professionals connections in legal and public administration fields.

Make an Impact

Pursue the Juris Doctor of Law and a Master of Public Administration simultaneously to gain theoretical and practice skill sets in law and public administration. Students will be able to identify enhanced career opportunities in the public sector, government administration or a related nonprofit sector or to represent public or private sector clients in relations with government agencies. The program provides a generalist foundation in public administration, management, and public policy while also offering a law school education that can be applied to various aspects of government. While in the program, students will also gain access to San Diego State University and University of San Diego’s combined global network of alumni. 

Admitted students who pursue the dual degree program will benefit from cross-acceptance of a certain number of credit hours. A major benefit of the program is that it reduces the number of semesters a student would normally need to obtain both degrees – generally, a reduction of at least one semester.

Students will take coursework in topics that include: 

• Public and urban affairs
• Quantitative approaches to public administration 
• Public personnel administration 
• Administrative theory
• Financial management
• Administration and public policy development
• Legal writing and research 
• Civil procedure
• Constitutional law 
• Criminal law 
• Professional responsibility 
• Experiential advocacy practicum
• Bar exam review 

Back To Top

Choosing a dual JD/MPA program rather than pursuing a MPA then the JD in sequence offers several advantages:

• Integrated Curriculum : The dual program integrates coursework at SDSU and USD and across both disciplines, providing a more cohesive educational experience. 
• Save Time and Money : Pursuing both degrees simultaneously generally takes less time (eight semesters instead of 10 semesters) and can be more cost-effective than completing them sequentially.
• Develop Comprehensive Skills from the Start : Students will gain a comprehensive skill set centered on legal analysis, policy formulation and management principles from the beginning of their studies. This early exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives will better prepare you for positions at the intersection of law and public administration. 
• Seamless Transition between Disciplines : Moves without interruption between law coursework at USD and public administration coursework at SDSU. 
• Global Networking Opportunities : With the combined network of SDSU and USD, students can connect with an expansive global network of professionals to network, which can lead to internships, job opportunities and mentorship relationships. 
• Career Advancement : Graduates of the dual JD/MPA programs will be well-positioned for a broad range of career opportunities that require expertise in both law and public administration.

The career options for individuals with JD/MPA degrees are vast. The combination of legal expertise and public administration knowledge equips graduates to address complex societal challenges, navigate regulatory environments and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields. 

• Government Attorney
• Legislative Counsel
• Policy Analyst
• City Manager
• County Administrator
• State Government Executive
• Federal Agency Administrator
• Legal Advisor to Nonprofit Organizations
• Environmental Policy Specialist
• Urban Planner
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Labor Relations Specialist
• Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
• Public Health Administrator
• Government Relations Specialist

Workplace Settings

• Government Agencies
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Business Sector 

Application deadlines and admissions 

The dual degree program is open to students in good academic standing at their home institution. Admission to the JD/MPA program is not guaranteed, and a select number of candidates will be chosen each year.

Students involved in the JD/MPA program will have been admitted to both the School of Public Affairs at SDSU and the School of Law at USD. Students will pay tuition and fees at the university in which they are enrolled. The host institution will not charge additional tuition or fees for courses. In addition, dual degree students can receive a scholarship for tuition and fees – the equivalent of one year of academic study in the Master’s program.  

Information about SDSU and the MPA program are on the School of Public Affairs website . For USD, admissions deadlines and other requirements are on USD’s School of Law website .  

Program options

Students could either take the 1+3 model, where they complete the first year at SDSU’s School of Public Affairs, taking 21 units of core classes and then go on to USD’s JD program, after which they would complete the 3-unit MPA capstone or thesis class. 

Alternatively, students can take the 1+1+2 model in which a first year of law school at USD is followed by a year at SDSU for 21 core units of MPA, followed by two years at USD and the 3-unit MPA capstone or thesis. 

Either way, a student can complete the dual degree program in four years. Students must apply to the JD/MPA program during their first year of study in their home institution. Classes for the second degree would start in year two. Students must apply separately to both the San Diego State University and the University of San Diego programs and follow the admission requirements. We recommend that you seek admissions counseling prior to applying for the dual degree.

For more information about the dual degree program, email us below.

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• SDSU, USD launch dual JD/MPA program

First-year MPA and JD students at both universities will be able to begin coursework toward the dual degree, saving time in what is traditionally a single pathway to both advanced degrees.

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Given the increased complexity of governance, globalization, and technological advancements impacting governments and organizations, the need for experts trained in public administration and law are in high demand, and a new partnership is focused on education and career opportunities for San Diego professionals.

To improve related degree and career opportunities for students, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego have partnered to launch a new dual degree program that will lead to a Juris Doctor of Law and a Master of Public Administration. Qualifying students will enjoy the benefits of both campuses while graduating with both advanced degrees in a 4-year period – in less time than if pursuing the degrees separately. 

“We are excited to work in partnership with USD to offer this program, which integrates coursework from both disciplines to foster a holistic understanding of the intersections between law and public administration,” said Roddrick Colvin , director and professor of public administration in the School of Public Affairs . 

This new dual degree program, which is set to begin in Fall 2025 and is slated for California University system board review for approval, will offer qualified students the chance to earn both degrees at an accelerated pace toward careers that combine elements of law and policy. The dual degree can lead to careers as a policy analyst, compliance officer, urban planner, government attorney, government affairs director and other positions with nonprofits or government agencies at the local, state or federal levels.  

“This exciting collaboration between USD and SDSU offers students both deep insights into the law and the legal system and substantial expertise in formulating and implementing public policy,” said Robert A. Schapiro , dean of the USD School of Law and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law. “The program prepares innovative leaders to confront society’s most pressing challenges, including through public service in the governmental or nonprofit sectors.”

Dual degree requirements and timeline

The new dual degree program adds to the existing joint and independent degrees SDSU offers at the graduate level across disciplines and with other institutions. It also reflects the university’s strategic plan-driven commitment to offer more competitive opportunities and support for graduate-level students and professionals, such as new independent doctorates , given the growing and highly complex workforce demands in the region and across the nation. 

The dual degree can be completed in four years on a full-time basis – that’s eight semesters instead of 10 if the degrees were pursued separately. 

“Today, government agencies and nonprofits are regularly confronted with multifaceted challenges, including technological, and local and global crises,” said Kurt Lindemann , Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts . 

“We need professionals who are highly skilled and trained in understanding how law, public administration, management and public policy intersect. This will better help policymakers and practitioners navigate this complexity by identifying synergies and potential conflicts among these domains,” Lindemann said.

Students must complete a total of 36 credits at SDSU and 88 credits at USD and, all told, will be studying urban affairs, public financial management, public policy and also constitutional, civil, contracts and criminal law, among other topics. 

"If your goal in coming to law school is to solve the world’s biggest challenges, whether from within the private or public sectors, you have to know how to work effectively with the government,” said Emily Nagisa Keehn , assistant dean for Law Student Affairs at USD. “The JD/MPA program prepares attorneys who understand public governance, and propels them to be strategic problem-solvers, policymakers, and community leaders who are driving forward meaningful change." 

Unique degree, expansive benefits 

Interested students already enrolled in SDSU’s School of Public Affairs should apply for the JD program at USD. During their second year of study, SDSU students would then complete coursework at USD. After completing their first year at USD, qualifying students will spend their second year at SDSU, then return to USD for their final two years and either a capstone or thesis at SDSU. Upon completion of the JD, students will then be able to sit for the bar exam.

Whether joint or dual, JD/MPA programs tend to be highly competitive and difficult to access in the United States. Such programs exist at and between universities such as Yale, Harvard, New York University, Duke University, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon University and – with the University of California system – UC Berkeley and UCLA.  No such degree program exists within the California State University system, of which SDSU is a part. 

For this SDSU/USD partnership, students will pay tuition and fees at the university in which they are enrolled and should be prepared to shift location of class attendance based on their year of study. 

Throughout the program, students will have the benefit of events, programs, activities, and facilities at both SDSU and USD. They also will be able to tap into a global alumni network of the two universities, connecting with a larger group of potential mentors and employers. 

"The launch of this dual degree program between San Diego State University and the University of San Diego is a groundbreaking step towards providing students with comprehensive education and career opportunities,” said Tracy Love , dean of the SDSU College of Graduate Studies . “By integrating the Juris Doctor of Law and Master of Public Administration, we are equipping our graduates with a unique skill set that combines legal expertise with public sector leadership, all within an accelerated time frame. This initiative not only enhances academic offerings but also prepares students to meet the complex demands of modern governance and legal practice."

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By Maggie Astor

• July 15, 2024

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, the newly announced running mate to former President Donald J. Trump, has gone on a rapid journey over the past eight years from best-selling author and outspoken Trump critic to one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest defenders and, now, his would-be second in command.

Before running for office, Mr. Vance, 39, was known as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a best-selling memoir recounting his upbringing in a poor family that also served as a sort of sociological examination of white working-class Americans. The book was published the summer before Mr. Trump’s election in 2016, and many readers looked to it after his victory as a sort of guide to understanding Mr. Trump’s support among white working-class communities.

Mr. Vance himself harshly denounced Mr. Trump during his 2016 campaign. But by 2022, he had embraced Mr. Trump, winning a crowded Republican Senate primary with his backing and becoming a reliable pro-Trump voice in Congress.

Here is more on Mr. Vance’s background and views.

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