Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. and M.C.L. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 12 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./LL.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Laws (London School of Economics)), J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in economics, international relations, political science, and philosophy), J.D./M.A.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Philosophy), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.B.T. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation), J.D./M.C.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in communications management), J.D./M.P.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration), J.D./M.P.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy), J.D./M.R.E.D. (Juris Doctor/Master of Real Estate Development), J.D./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in gerontology), J.D./M.S.W. (Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work), and J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy in social science) (Caltech) and political science. J.D./Pharm.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Pharmacy).
The Gould School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, entertainment law, environmental law, family law, intellectual property law, international law, juvenile law, labor law, litigation, media law, securities law, sports law, tax law, torts and insurance, public interest, constitutional law, and civil rights. In addition, in-house and simulated clinics are available for upper-level students. In-house clinics include the Post-Conviction Justice project, Children’s Legal Issues Clinic, Employer Legal Advice Clinic, Intellectual Property Clinic, the Immigration Clinic, and the Small Business Clinic. Seminars, available to upper-level students, are offered on many topics and facilitate intensive discussions in small groups. Internships, worth up to 4 credits, are available to upper-level students with government or public interest nonprofit organizations. Judicial externships allow students to clerk for a state or federal judge. The law school co-sponsors the Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics research program; Center for Communications Law and Policy; Center for the Study of Law and Politics; the Initiative and Referendum Institute; Center for Law, History and Culture; Center for Law, Economics and Organization; and Center for Law and Philosophy. Multiple opportunities for hands-on experience are available through clinical programs, internships and externships, and public interest placements. Special lecture series include the annual Roth lecture, faculty workshops, and workshops sponsored by centers. The law school sponsors a semester exchange program with the University of Hong Kong and a dual degree program with the London School of Economics. Credit may be given for work done in other accredited law schools’ study-abroad programs. Tutorials are arranged on a case-by-case basis. The school also offers a 5-part workshop on studying. An exam-taking skills course is offered to first-year students in the spring and upper-division students in the fall. Minority student organizations and minority alumni associations collaborate on a range of social and educational programs as well as networking opportunities. Student-run organizations geared at specific areas of the legal profession include the Entertainment Law Society, International Law Society, Corporate Law Society, and Public Interest Law Foundation. The most widely taken electives are Entertainment Law, Real Estate Transactions, and Gender Discrimination.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 88 total credits, of which 33 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Law Language and Ethics, Legal Profession, Legal Research, writing and advocacy, Property, and Torts I. Required upper-level courses consist of a writing requirement. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 2-day program that includes a welcoming address, luncheon, financial aid counseling, meetings with second-year advisers assigned to incoming students, and a barbecue. A student-run mentor program for first-year students has year-round activities.
To graduate, candidates must have completed the upper-division writing requirement.