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School of Law

Academics

In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the Master of Dispute Resolution. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.D.R. (Juris Doctor/Master of Dispute Resolution), and J.D./M.P.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy).

The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, entertainment law, environmental law, family law, international law, labor law, tax law, tort law, property law, intellectual property law, advocacy and dispute resolution, public interest, technology and entrepreneurship, and constitutional law. In addition, clinical opportunities are available with the District Attorney’s Office of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and with state and federal court judges in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Also, smaller programs offer training in corporate and securities law, tax law, juvenile law, domestic arbitration, labor law, consumer protection, trade regulation, and with various media industries. Second- and third-year students may study in the London Law Program during the fall and summer semesters. Courses are taught by British and American faculty. The most widely taken electives are the London Law Program, entertainment and sports law courses, and technology and entrepreneurship.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 88 total credits, of which 57 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 72.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Pleadings and Procedure I and II, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Legal Research and Writing I and II, Real Property I and II, and Torts I and II. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law I and II, Corporations, Evidence, Federal Income Taxation, Legal Ethics, Remedies, and Wills and Trusts. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 4-day program that includes introduction to legal ethics, the socratic method, case briefing, note taking, outlining, and legal research and writing.

In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 72.0.

Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 3450 applied, 909 were accepted, and 273 enrolled. Figures in the above capsule and in this profile are approximate. Thirty transfers enrolled in a recent year. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 77; the median GPA was 3.3 on a scale of 4.0.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. Important admission factors include community involvement and commitment to high moral standard. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

Applicants should submit an application form, a nonreundable application fee, 2 letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement, response to School of Law’s mission, and a seat deposit. Notification of the admissions decision is on a rolling basis. Check with the school for current appliction fee and deadlines. The law school uses the LSDAS.

Financial Aid

In a recent year, about 87% of current law students receive some form of aid. The maximum annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, was $37,084. Awards are based on need and merit. Need-based financial aid awards are generally a combination of grants, loans, and work-study employment. Required financial statement is the FAFSA. Check with the school for current application deadlines. Special funds for minority or disadvantaged students consist of the Diversity Scholarship, based on academic and personal achievement. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application at 2 weeks after acceptance notification, if completed.

Students

About 51% of the student body are women; 17%, minorities; 5%, African American; 6%, Asian American; 5%, Hispanic; and 1%, Native American. The majority of students come from California (55%). The average age of entering students is 23; age range is 20 to 55. About 6% of students have a graduate degree. About 5% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons.

Students edit the Pepperdine Law Review, National Association of Administrative Law Journal, and Dispute Resolution Journal. First-year students participate in an appellate advocacy experience. Upper-level students compete for places on teams that attend the National Moot Court and other competitions. Each spring there is the Dalsimer Moot Court intraschool competition. Law student organizations are the Student Bar Association, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, and Black Law Students Association. There are local chapters of Delta Theta Phi, Phi Alpha Delta, and Phi Delta Phi.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered days only. There is no part-time program. New students are admitted in the fall. There is a 7 1/2-week summer session. Transferable summer courses are offered.

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