Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. and S.J.D. 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./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in international affairs and history), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.P.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration), J.D./M.P.H. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health), J.D./M.P.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy), LL.M./M.A. (Master of Laws/Master of Arts), and LL.M./M.P.H (Master of Laws/Master of Public Health).
The Law School offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, intellectual property law, international law, labor law, litigation, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, government contracts, intellectual property, and constitutional law. In addition, clinics, worth 2 to 4 credits, include the Consumer Mediation Clinic, Domestic Violence Clinic, and Immigration Clinic, all open to upper-level students. The Federal Sentencing Seminar (2 credits), Sexuality and the Law Seminar (2 or 3 credits), and Law in Cyberspace (2 or 3 credits) are all open to second- or third-year students. Internships are available to second- and third-year students for 1 to 4 credits a semester, for a maximum of 8 credits. Students arrange independent projects with state or federal public interest organizations. Through the Enrichment Program, speakers are brought to the law school for lectures and informal seminars that are open to all students. The law school offers 2 summer study abroad programs: an international human rights program is offered with Oxford University and an intellectual property program is offered with the Munich I.P. Law Center. Third-year students serving as Resource Fellows assist other students who are in academic difficulty. The Writing Center serves as a resource for all students. Minority programs are sponsored by groups such as the Black Law Students Association, Hispanic Law Students Association, and Asian/Pacific American Law Students Association and East Asian Law Society. Special interest groups include the Law Association for Women, Christian Law Society, Law Students for the Arts, International Law Society, Student Animal Defense Fund, Lambda Law and politically-oriented groups. The most widely taken electives are Federal Income Taxation, Evidence, and Corporations.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 84 total credits, of which 34 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 1.67 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I and II, Constitutional Law I, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Introduction to Advocacy, Legal Researching and Writing, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Professional Responsibility and Ethics. The required orientation program for first-year students is a 3-day program that includes registration.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 1.67, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and completion of the required curriculum.