Requirements for the JD

The course of study leading to the JD degree is a three-year, full-time program. All students matriculate into the Fall semester. Eighty-six credit hours and six semesters in residence are required for graduation. With the approval of the academic dean, three credit hours may be earned in graduate level studies taken outside the Law School. In addition to the prescribed first-year curriculum, students must complete a course in Professional Responsibility and fulfill two writing requirements.

Juris Doctor with Honors

The degree of Juris Doctor with Honors is awarded to those students selected by the faculty who satisfy all the requirements for the JD degree and attain a grade point average in the top one-third of their class. The Juris Doctor with High Honors may be awarded by the faculty to students who have demonstrated superior legal scholarship. For exceptional achievement, the faculty may elect to award the degree of Juris Doctor with Highest Honors.