JD Curriculum & Courses


Seton Hall Law's JD curriculum provides students with a broad foundation in legal theory and practice that guides them through custom career paths in law. Our curriculum is built on foundational courses and writing requirements that contribute to students’ bar exam preparation, resulting in above average bar passage rates.

Below is a breakdown to help you better understand required courses and your overall academic journey as a JD student. Note that all JD students are required to complete 88 credits before graduating.

 
 
LeMay Diaz '16
"As a minority and first person in my family to pursue a legal career, I found in Seton Hall a very welcoming atmosphere. My first year was definitely one of the most academically challenging experiences I have ever had. Yet, I found a supportive student body that is always willing to reach out and help, and a group of professors that truly care and want you to succeed. I also gained the skills and knowledge needed to excel as a District Court judicial intern this past summer, and have no doubt that I am receiving an excellent foundation from which to launch my legal career." Lemay Diaz, Associate at Latham & Watkins LLP (JD '16)
 
 
 

Full-Time JD Program

The JD program can be completed in three academic years on a full-time basis. Students attend class during the week at the law school campus with their assigned section. Neither the full-time nor part-time programs require summer classes, but summer classes are offered, both on-campus and through our summer study abroad options.

First Year

FIRST SEMESTER  
Civil Procedure I 3 credits
Contracts 5 credits
Introduction to Lawyering I 3 credits
Torts 4 credits
  Total Credits = 15

 

SECOND SEMESTER  
Civil Procedure II 2 credits
Criminal Law 3 credits
Introduction to Lawyering II 3 credits
Property 5 credits
Professional Responsibility 2 credits
  Total Credits = 15
 

Second and Third Year

SECOND & THIRD YEAR REQUIRED COURSES  
Business Associations 4 credits
Constitutional Law 5 credits
Evidence 3 credits
Financial Concepts for Lawyers 1 credit
  Total Credits = 13

In addition, students must complete a paper exhibiting substantial legal research and analysis, either through an advanced writing seminar, journal participation or Independent Research.

 

Part-Time Weekend JD Program

Seton Hall understands the increased demand of working professionals and is excited to offer students the ability to earn their JD degrees in a new part-time weekend format. Taught by the same talented professors who teach in our full-time division, students in the part-time weekend program combine an immersive educational experience in the traditional classroom with engaging out-of-class technology-assisted interactions with teachers and peers. Students attend classes on-campus for eight alternative weekends 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sundays during your first four semesters. Stay connected remotely with self-paced activities online. Learn more about the Part-time Weekend JD Program.

First Year

FIRST SEMESTER  
Torts 4 credits
Civil Procedure I 3 credits
Introduction to Lawyering I 3 credits
  Total Credits = 10

 

SECOND SEMESTER  
Contracts 5 credits
Civil Procedure II 2 credits
Introduction to Lawyering II 3 credits
  Total Credits = 10
 

Second and Third Year

SECOND & THIRD YEAR REQUIRED COURSES  
Property I 3 credits
Constitutional Law I 2 credits
Criminal Law 3 credits
Appellate Advocacy 2 credits
Property II 2 credits
Constitutional Law II 3 credits
Professional Responsibility 2 credits
Persuasion and Advocacy 2 credits
Business Associations 4 credits
Evidence 3 credits
AWR Course 3 credits
  Total Credits = 29

Fourth year students have no required courses remaining and instead take 23 credits of Electives.

 

JD Concentrations

Today’s lawyers bring solutions to in-demand industries beyond the traditional sectors. Seton Hall understands that a career in a specialty area of law can bring personal and professional fulfillment so we created opportunities for students to specialize in desired areas of law. Faculty established several concentrations in areas such as Health Law, Intellectual Property, and Compliance. Concentation-specific courses are offered alongside core curriculum developed by Seton Hall faculty in consultation with attorneys and government officials working in the field. Learn more about available JD Concentrations.

Lawyering in Action

First-year students begin to gain proficiency in the core skills necessary for legal practice through Introduction to Lawyering, a new addition to the Seton Hall Law curriculum. This full-year course will immerse you in core JD subjects, skills, values and professional requirements that form the basis of American law: writing, research, interviewing, fact analysis, negotiation and oral advocacy. Classes are conducted in small groups, guided by professors who put students in the role of practicing attorney to approach legal problems from intellectual, strategic, emotional and ethical perspectives. Introduction to Lawyering is grounded in the practical experience of real lawyers, and modeled on what real lawyers do. Learn more about about Lawyering.

 
 

 
 

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