Part-Time J.D. Program

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Course of Study

About 34 percent of our students are enrolled part-time so they can balance their studies with full-time jobs, families, and other commitments. Part-time students can elect to take classes during the day, evening, or a combination of both. A J.D. can be earned in 4 years with summer enrollment, although many students complete the program in 5 years.

All programs and resources are available to both part-time and full-time J.D. students, including moot court, Law Review, and trial litigation programs.

Note: The first two years course of study outlined for part-time students is mandatory.

Year 1

Fall Semester (11 Credit Hours)

LAW 5010 - Contract Law 4 Credit Hours
LAW 5000 - Civil Procedure: Federalism and Constitutional Issues 3 Credit Hours
LAW 5070 - Lawyering: Foundations I. 3 Credit Hours
Research Methods in Law 1 Credit Hours
LAW 5099 - First-Year Professional Development Series. 0 to 1 Credit Hours

Spring Semester (10 Credit Hours)

LAW 5001 - Civil Procedure: The Federal Rules 3 Credit Hours
LAW 5050 - Property. 4 Credit Hours
LAW 5071 - Lawyering: Foundations II. 3 Credit Hours

Optional Summer Semester (4 Credit Hours)

Electives 4 Credit Hours

Year 2

Fall Semester (10-11 Credit Hours)

LAW 6000 - Constitutional Law I. 3 Credit Hours
LAW 5060 - Torts 4 Credit Hours
Electives 3-4 Credit Hours

Spring Semester (9-10 Credit Hours)

LAW 7375 - Legislation. 2 to 3 Credit Hours
LAW 5020 - Criminal Law. 3 Credit Hours
Electives 3-4 Credits Hours

Optional Summer Semester (4 Credit Hours)

Electives 3-4 Credit Hours

Year 3

Fall Semester (10 Credit Hours)

LAW 6010 - Evidence. 4 Credit Hours
Electives 3-4 Credit Hours

Spring Semester (10 Credit Hours)

LAW 6030E - Lawyering: Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours
LAW 6020 - Professional Responsibility. 3 Credit Hours
or
LAW 6022 - The Client Relationship. 3 Credit Hours
Electives 4 Credit Hours

Optional Summer Semester (4 Credit Hours)

Electives 4 Credit Hours

Year 4

Fall Semester (9 Credit Hours)

Electives 9 Credit Hours

Spring Semester (9 Credit Hours)

Electives 9 Credit Hours

Total: 90 Credit Hours

*Unless provided otherwise herein, or with permission of the associate dean for academic affairs, students are required to take Evidence and Lawyering: Advocacy in the same academic year. Students must take Professional Responsibility (or another course designated as one which meets the Professional Responsibility requirement) before Lawyering: Advocacy or concurrently therewith.

Note: Except as provided otherwise, the courses that full-time students are required to take in their first year are prerequisites to all elective courses.

This rule applies to all students including part-time students during their first two years of study.