Academics
Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of varies credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.Div. (Juris Doctor/Master of Divinity in conjunction with Pittsburgh), J.D./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in taxation), and J.D./M.S.E.S.M. (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in environmental science and management).
The School of Law offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, international law, labor law, litigation, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, intellectual property, and health care. In addition, clinics, which are considered all upper-division classes worth 3 credits, include the U.S. Attorney’s Program, District Attorney’s Program, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Program. Also open to upper-division students are internships and seminars, both worth 2 to 3 credits. Seminar topics include labor arbitration, collective bargaining, and trial tactics. Upper-division students are eligible to serve as faculty research assistants. Special lectures are given by the guest speakers who visit the school throughout the year. Law students may request permission to participate in study-abroad programs offered by other ABA-approved law schools. There are summer study-abroad programs in China, Ireland, and Vatican City. The Black Law Students Association sponsors a tutoring program. Special interest programs are offered by the Public Interest Law Association, Health Care Law Association, Law Review,
To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 86 total credits, of which 56 are for required courses. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure I, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure (second year for evening students), Legal Process and Procedure, Legal Research and Writing, Property (second year for evening students), and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Basic Federal Income Taxation, Commercial Transactions I and II, Constitutional Law, Corporations, Evidence, and Professional Responsibility. The required orientation program for first-year students consists of 1-1/2 days of sessions on requirements in the first year and handling stress. The students meet with their faculty adviser and student mentors.
In order to graduate, candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 and have completed the upper-division writing requirement.