Academics
Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 15 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Marine Affairs), J.D./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in labor relations and human resources), and J.D./M.S.C.J. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Criminal Justice).
The School of Law offers concentrations in public interest law and disability law. In addition, third-year students participate in the Criminal Defense Clinic; the Mediation Clinic, or the Community Justice and Legal Assistance Clinic, for 6 credits. Seminars, available to second- and third-year students, span the breath of the curriculum. They are worth 2 credits each. Special legal perspectives courses are worth 1 credit. Internships for third-year students consist of judicial and public interest clerkships worth 5 credits. There is faculty-supervised directed research for 1 or 2 credits. Students are required to perform 20 hours of public service prior to graduation. A special lecture series includes topics on Marine Affairs and Public Interest Law. Study abroad is available through the London Summer Program and the Lisbon Summer Program. There are workshops on studying, case briefing, course outlining, and exam taking. The school has a rigorous Academic Support Program. The school’s Office of Diversity and Outreach sponsors a variety of programs designed to address the needs of a diverse student body. The school has a wide range of special interest student groups. The most widely taken electives are Wills and Trusts, Business Organizations, and Sales.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 90 total credits, of which 48 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I and II, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Legal Methods I and II, Property, and Torts I and II. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law I and II, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Upper Level Legal Methods. The required orientation program for first-year students is held 3 days prior to the first day of classes and includes an introduction to the judicial system and the study of law, case briefing, exam-taking techniques, professionalism, student services introductions, social events, and a public service day.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and a public service requirement.