Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M., S.J.D., and M.S.L., Master of Studies in Law, including fellowships in law. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 12 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts), J.D./M.A.R. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in religion), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Medicine), J.D./M.Div. (Juris Doctor/Master of Divinity), J.D./M.E.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Environmental Studies), and J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy).
The Yale Law School offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, entertainment law, environmental law, family law, international law, juvenile law, labor law, litigation, media law, securities law, sports law, tax law, torts and insurance, administrative law, constitutional law, comparative law, legal history, torts, criminal procedure, bankruptcy, law and economics, employment discrimination, property, health, antitrust, evidence, and international business. In addition, clinical opportunities are offered through many clinics, including Community and Economic Development, Complex Federal Litigation, and the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Law Clinic. In addition to the many seminars offered during the fall and spring terms, students may submit proposals for research and legislative drafting seminars. Research programs and independent reading may be undertaken after the first term with faculty permissions. Numerous special lecture series are held annually, including the Timothy B. Atkeson Environmental Practitioner in Residence, the Cover Lecture in Law and Religion, the Ralph Gregory Elliot First Amendment Lecture, the Preiskel/Silverman Program on the Practicing Lawyer and the Public Interest, and the Robert L. Bernstein Lecture in International Human Rights. In the second term, students may begin participation in programs managed primarily by students under the supervision of a faculty adviser. These include the Capital Defense Project, the Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Order Project, the Greenhaven Prison Project, Street Law, Thomas Swan Barristers’ Union, Morris Tyler Moot Court of Appeals, and numerous reviews and journals.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 83 total credits, of which 21 are for required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Procedure, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of a supervised analytic writing paper and a substantial paper, Criminal Law and Administration, and a course of at least 2 units devoted substantially to issues of professional responsibility or legal ethics. The optional orientation program for first-year students consists of a weekend prior to registration at which life at the law school and in New Haven is discussed.
To graduate, candidates must have completed the upper-division writing requirement.