J.D. Curriculum

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J.D. Curriculum

The program of study for the Juris Doctor degree requires a minimum of 87 units. Some core courses are required (including all the courses in the first year), others are recommended, and some others are electives. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 3 academic years (2 semesters per year) of full-time study, or in as little as 4 years of part-time study. Full-time students typically enroll for 15 units per semester and are not required to take summer classes. Part-time students take 9 or 10 units per semester and normally 5 units in the summer to complete the program in as little as 4 years. It may be possible to take additional units in the summer session.

Since students in good standing may petition to switch from the full-time to the part-time program or vice versa before the start of the academic year, this will affect their course load and time to complete the degree.

FALL START PROGRAM

Students who start in the Fall Term have the option for full-time, part-time day or part-time evening study. Classes begin in mid-August. Entering students participate in a mandatory Orientation and a one-unit, first semester “Introduction to Legal Methods” course, which begins one week prior to the mid-August main session.

Click here for a semester by semester program of study for our full-time and part-time Fall Start programs:

FULL-TIME AND PART TIME FALL START PROGRAMS

SPRING START PROGRAM

Students who start in the Spring Term (early January) have the option for full-time, part-time day or part-time evening study. Classes begin in the first week of January for new students and the second week of January for continuing students. Entering students participate in a mandatory Orientation and a one credit first semester “Introduction to Legal Methods” course, which begins one week prior to the mid-January main session.

Click here for a semester-by-semester program of study for our full-time and part-time Spring Start programs:

FULL-TIME AND PART TIME SPRING START PROGRAMS

Founded in 1966, Western State College of Law is the oldest law school in Orange County, Southern California, and is fully ABA approved. Western State College of Law’s 11,000+ alumni are well represented across public and private sector legal practice areas, including 150 California judges and about 15% of Orange County’s Deputy Public Defenders and District Attorneys.

16715 Von Karman Ave., #100
Irvine, CA 92606
714-738-1000

Programs, credential levels, technology and scheduling options are subject to change. Western State College of Law at Westcliff University, 16715 Von Karman Ave., #100, Irvine, CA 92606 © 2020 Western State College of Law. All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@wsulaw.edu.

See wsuprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.