Curriculum Choice & Degree Requirements
Legal education at the College of Law is designed to prepare the student for general practice, but at the same time, it provides sufficient background in recognized specialties that each student can pursue special interests through the selection of advanced courses.
Outline of First-Year Courses (All Required)
| First Semester | Hrs. | Second Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Procedure Jurisdiction | 2 | Civil Procedure Rules |
| Contracts I | 4 | Constitutional Law |
| Criminal Law | 3 | Professional Responsibility |
| Torts I | 4 | Property I |
| Legal Research & Writing | 2 | Legal Research & Writing |
| Total | 15 | Total |
Upper-Level Courses – After the first year, each student must complete Appellate Advocacy, a seminar, and two perspective courses in areas designed to impart a wider or different perspective on the legal system. In addition to these requirements, each student is required to complete one course or program from the following list: (1) Trial Advocacy and Evidence; (2) The Clinical Law Program and Evidence; (3) Business Transaction Drafting; or (4) The Federal Externship Program and Evidence. Each student must attain a grade of C or better in one seminar, Legal Research and Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Trial Advocacy. Second- and third-year students begin to specialize through selecting courses from three basic categories: professional skills courses, perspective courses, and upper-level substantive courses.
The faculty of the College of Law reserves the right to make changes in course and program requirements for the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD). Subject to this reservation, requirements for graduation applicable to the student are normally those which are in effect at the student’s date of initial entry into the College. A student who withdraws or is dismissed from the College of Law for a period of time and then is readmitted may be subject to new requirements.