Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. 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 urban and regional planning and health administration), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.D. (Juris Doctor/Medical Doctor), J.D./M.H.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Health Administration), and J.D./M.P.H. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health).
The College of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property law, international law, litigation, securities law, and tax law. In addition, the highly practical clinical law programs give students the opportunity to gain experience in many different areas of substantive law, including, but not limited to, civil rights, employment law, and criminal defense. Clinics are open to students in their second and third years for up to 15 credit hours and usually fulfill the need for field work. Semester seminars are offered in a variety of subject areas. The seminars normally run for 2 semesters; 4 credits and upper-level writing units are awarded. If there is overenrollment in the seminars, priority is given to third-year students and those seeking maximum credit. There are externship placements with a variety of outside agencies. They may be arranged in the summer or during the academic year. Credit for each externship varies and a maximum of 15 credits may be awarded under certain circumstances. Students may arrange an independent research project with faculty members in areas of mutual interest. Special guest lectures (by judges, professors, practitioners, politicians, and others) are open to students every semester. The college offers 4 study-abroad programs: the London Law Consortium (spring semester); the Summer Law Program in Comparative and International Law in Arcachon, France; a semester program at Catolica University in Lisbon, Portugal; and an Exchange Program with Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany. In addition, students may receive credit for study-abroad programs sponsored by other ABA-approved law schools. The Academic Achievement Program (AAP) presents a variety of workshops during the year, with an emphasis on the needs of first-year students. Also, faculty members provide mentoring for students who need special assistance. The writing resource center works with students individually to help strengthen writing skills vital to the study and practice of law. Minority students are involved in all law school opportunities, as well as in the minority student organizations. Special interest programs include the annual Women in Law Conference, Journal of Gender, Race and Justice symposium, and Corporate Law Journal symposium. The most widely taken electives are Clinics, Corporations, and Evidence.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 84 total credits, of which 33 are for required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Introduction to Legal Reasoning, Legal Analysis Writing and Research I and II, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law II and Professional Responsibility. Though not required, approximately 33% of law students participate in a clinic. The required orientation program for first-year students is 1 week; the 1-unit course component covers an overview of the American legal system, legal education, the legal profession, and perspectives on law. The program component covers academic and other support services, bar requirements, dealing with stress, professional conduct standards, community service, and social events.
To graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 1.8 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.