Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M. in American Law (for foreign law school graduates). Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 7 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration).
The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, family law, international law, labor law, litigation, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, and clinical law. In addition, In addition to Trial and Advocacy, the school has 2 upper-level clinics that include classroom elements. One covers the civil-criminal law spectrum for 4 credit hours while the other is an in-house clinic with the medical school serving the indigent elderly for 3 credit hours. The Constitutional Lecture Series is an annual program featuring an address by a nationally prominent figure in the field of constitutional law. Three 5-week summer programs are offered, one in London, England, one in Vienna, Austria, and the other in Venice, Italy. Enrollment is open to all students depending on availability. A tutorial program is offered to first-year students through the Dean’s Office. The most widely taken electives are Federal Tax, Decedents’ Estates, and Business Organizations.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 89 total credits, of which 41 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 73 on a scale of 100 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I and II, Constitutional Law I, Contracts I and II, Criminal Law I, Legal Research and Writing I and II, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Constitutional Law II, Evidence, Legal Writing III, plus 1 substantial writing project, Legislation and Administrative Law, and Professional Responsibility. All students may take clinics in addition to the skill courses.The required orientation program for first-year students is a 1-week program before the beginning of classes devoted to the basics of legal research and writing.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 73.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and have written a paper or a brief to the satisfaction of the instructor in a course approved by the faculty.