Curriculum Planning

A student may choose either full time-study (normally six semesters taken during the day) or part-time study (normally eight semesters taken during the evening) to obtain the Juris Doctor degree. A transfer between the two divisions is subject to permission of the Dean of Students and must be applied for in writing.

Students should consult the academic bulletin in planning curricula. Care must be taken to meet residency requirements and to follow ABA and Law School rules and regulations on writing requirements, maximum and minimum credit loads, restrictions on employment hours, etc. 

The first year and a half in the full-time division or two years in the part-time division have a curriculum which is predominantly mandatory. These classes are the foundation for later electives, seminars and clinical work. Upperclass students have wide latitude in program planning, and many focus their studies in particular fields. The law school has two formal "concentrations."  Detailed instructions are included with registration materials distributed to students in the fall and spring.

Guide Sheets

Curriculum Guide Sheets have been developed for students who do not wish to concentrate in a particular area of law but wish to follow a well-rounded course criteria in particular subject.  Guidance sheets are available for the following subject areas:

• Criminal Law & Procedure

• Corporate Law

• Environmental Law

• Estates and Trusts Law

• Family Law

• Health Law

• Intellectual Property

• International Law

• Labor & Employment Law

• Real Estate Law

• Tax Law

Independent Research

Prerequisite:  Minimum Cumulative G.P.A.- 3.00 and a good academic standing.

Students interested in registering for Independent Research must pick up the applicable form from the Registrar's Office and return it fully completed with the appropriate signatures of the Independent Research Committee members before they will be permitted to register for the course, but in no case, no later than the end of the Drop/Add period (first week of the semester). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the completed form is returned to the Registrar's Office before the end of the Drop/Add period. Note: A student cannot register for this course via the web but may add this course in-person provided the course has been approved. Independent Research forms are available on the Registrar's literature rack.

General Requirements

• Skills Requirement

• Advanced Legal Writing Requirement

• Residency Requirement

• Required Courses

• Clinic Credits & Requirements

Journal Credits

No student may register for more than three credits for journal work in any given semester. 

Credit Load

Full-Time students must register for a minimum of 12 credits and not more than 16 credits. Part-Time students must register for a minimum of 8 credits and not more than 11 credits. Moot Court courses may be taken in addition to the maximum number of hours. Any deviation from the prescribed credit load must be approved in writing by the Dean of Students. No student in poor academic standing will be permitted to register for courses in excess of the applicable maximum.

Certification for graduation requires 85 credit hours of which 75 credits must be "C-" or better.