Academics
In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the M.L.S.(Master of Legal Studies). Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 3 nonlaw graduate credit credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in psychology, economics, political science), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.C.R.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of Community and Regional Planning), J.D./M.P.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Professional Accountancy), and J.D./Ph.D (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy in psychology and education).
The College of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, international law, labor law, litigation, and tax law. In addition, students who have obtained senior standing are eligible to take either a 6-credit hour civil or criminal clinic. Second- or third-year students must take a 3-credit-hour seminar with a substantial writing requirement. A 3-credit-hour research program in a selected field under the supervision of a faculty member is available to any upper-level student. Students may register for up to 3 hours of externship credit, with the approval of a sponsoring faculty member. The credit is to be earned in a field placement program, and shall involve at least 40 hours of field experience. Any student may apply to have transfer credit for courses taken in a summer abroad program where the student received a grade of C or better. The College of Law cosponsors study abroad programs at Downing College, Cambridge, England and the University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. The Academic Resource Program offers a non-credit skills seminar for first-year students to assist in developing such skills as note taking, case briefing, and exam taking. The most widely taken electives are Corporations, Evidence, and Wills and Trusts.
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 96 total credits, of which 45 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 4.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Process, Legal Research and Writing, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of a seminar with substantial writing requirements, Constitutional Law I, and Legal Professional Responsibility. The required orientation program for first-year students is 2 days prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Students listen to speakers, tour the college, meet faculty and upper-level students, and attend a legal writing class. Students also participate in an orientation to professionalism series with judges and attorneys.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 4.0, have completed the upper-division writing requirement, and have taken Legal Professional Responsibility Course and Constitutional Law I and have completed 96 credit hours.