Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 6 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./L.L.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Laws, Insurance Law), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.L.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Library Science), J.D./M.P.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Affairs Administration), J.D./M.P.H. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health), and J.D./M.S.W. (Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work).
The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, intellectual property law, international law, juvenile law, labor law, litigation, tax law, torts and insurance, legal theory, information technology law, property and land, child advocacy, and policy. In addition, clinics provide hands-on, practical training to upper-level students who earn up to 10 credits for their work; strong and widely recognized asylum and human rights, criminal law, appellate, child advocacy, immigration, intellectual property, and tax clinics are available. Seminars in a multitude of different substantive areas are available to upper-level students for about 3 credits. Internships, and field work are available to upper-level students. Research positions are open to upper-level students under the direction of a faculty adviser. Special lecture series include Intellectual Property Teas; Law Review Symposia; and various human rights, international, diversity, and insurance law series. Study abroad is open to upper-level students for 1 semester in various countries, including England, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Germany, Korea, Israel, Italy, or Puerto Rico. Exchange programs in environmental law with the University of Vermont Law School and University of London are also available. Students having academic difficulty meet weekly with a faculty or student tutor to review case briefing, writing, legal analysis, and exam techniques. No credit is granted. An academic support program is offered for students that includes 1 mini-course designed to introduce case briefing, writing, and legal analysis. No credit is granted. Special interest group programs include the Tax Law Certificate Program, the Intellectual Property Certificate Program, the Certificate in Law and Public Policy, and the Certificate in Human Rights. The most widely taken electives are Evidence, Intellectual Property, and International Law.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 86 total credits, of which 36 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Lawyering Process, Moot Court, Property, Statutory/Regulatory Class, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Legal Profession and the upper-class writing requirement. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 3-day event including presentations by the dean, faculty members, financial aid, and career services offices, as well as facility tours and a lawyering process introduction.
To graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.3 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.