Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in economics), J.D./M.P.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy), and J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy in economics).
The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property law, international law, litigation, securities law, tax law, patent law, regulatory law, technology law, legal and economic theory, personal law, and international business law. Clinics are limited to upper-level students, and are worth 3 credits. Seminars, taken in the second, third, or fourth year, consist of a minimum of 2 upper-level courses in which substantial papers are required or there is a satisfaction of track thesis requirement. Internships are limited to upper-level students and are worth 2 to 3 credits, up to a maximum of 4 credits. The Law and Economics Center administers a series of interdisciplinary symposia, lectures, and conferences devoted to current topics in law and economics. The National Center for Technology and Law also hosts conferences and programs. There is a University of Hamburg (Germany) exchange program in Law and Economics. Tutorial programs consist of Fundamental Skills Saturday sessions, and day long spring session for students in academic jeopardy. Minority programs include the L. Douglas Wilder Seminar Series. Special interest groups include GLBT forums and panels and J. Reuban Clark Law Society Conference sponsorship. The most widely taken electives are Evidence, Administrative Law, and Business Associations.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 89 total credits, of which 40 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.15 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law, Economic Foundations of Legal Studies, Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis I and II, Property, the Founders’ Constitution, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of a minimum of 2 upper-level courses in which substantial papers are required, Appellate Writing and Legal Drafting, Constitutional Law I, and Professional Responsibility. The required orientation program for first-year students is presented during the first week of school. The program lasts 1 day and consists of presentations by the administration, legal writing classes, and small group meetings with faculty and student advisers.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 2.15 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.