Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M., J.S.D., and M.J.S. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 9 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in East Asian studies, Political Science, Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern Studies), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.H.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Health Administration), J.D./M.S.W. (Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work), and J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Political Science).
The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, international law, labor law, litigation, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, and transactional (planning and drafting) courses. In addition, clinics are offered for 3 to 10 credit hours, including Congressional Clinic in Washington, D.C.; Civil Justice Clinic, and Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic. Seminars include White Collar Crime Seminar, Biomedical Research Law + Policy Seminar, and Racial Profiling Seminar. Students may participate in research programs after the first year. Field work is performed as part of the clinics; 9 clinics are offered. Special lectures include the Tyrrell Williams Memorial Lectures and the Public Interest Speakers Series. Students may study abroad in Germany, London, South Africa, Netherlands, and Singapore. Tutorial programs are available on an individual basis. The Black Law Students Association organizes student study groups and visiting minority speakers. The most widely taken electives are Evidence, Corporations, and Federal Income Tax.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 85 total credits, of which 35 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 79.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of 1 additional writing seminar and Professional Responsibility-Legal Profession. The required orientation program for first-year students runs for 5 days and focuses on academic, social, and administrative components of the school.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 79.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement.