Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| LAW 501 | Foundations of Law | 2 |
| LAW 505 | Contracts I | 3 |
| LAW 506 | Contracts II | 3 |
| LAW 511 | Torts I | 3 |
| LAW 512 | Torts II | 2 |
| LAW 515 | Property I | 2 |
| LAW 516 | Property II | 3 |
| LAW 521 | Civil Procedure I | 3 |
| LAW 522 | Civil Procedure II | 2 |
| LAW 525 | Lawyering Skills I | 2 |
| LAW 526 | Lawyering Skills II | 2 |
| LAW 527 | Legal Research | 1 |
| LAW 531 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LAW 532 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LAW 535 | Criminal Law 1 | 3 |
| LAW 541 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 545 | Evidence 2 | 3 |
| LAW 561 | Business Associations | 4 |
| LAW 565 | Professional Responsibility 3 | 2 |
| LAW 571 | Lawyering Skills III | 2 |
| LAW 572 | Lawyering Skills IV | 2 |
| LAW 575 | Wills, Trusts & Estates | 3 |
| LAW 591 | Taxation of Individuals 4 | 3 |
| LAW 595 | Law Skills V - Trial Advocacy | 3 |
| Lawyering Skills VI | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Child Advocacy and Adoption Clinic II | ||
| Estate Planning 5 | ||
| Business Planning 5 | ||
| Real Estate Transactions and Development | ||
| Intellectual Property Law Clinic | ||
| Public Policy Lawyering Skills | ||
| Mediation | ||
| Advanced Trial Advocacy | ||
| Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic II | ||
| Appellate Advocacy 5 | ||
| Constitutional Litigation Clinic | ||
| Law Electives 6,7 | ||
| Choose 24-26 credits from LAW 500-999 | 24-26 | |
| Jurisprudence Requirement | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Jurisprudence | ||
| Law and Economics | ||
| Legal History | ||
| Second Rigorous Writing Requirement | ||
| LAW Elective 8 | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 90-97 | |
- 1
First-year students with GPAs at or below 2.50 at the end of their first semester must take LAW 520 in the spring semester of their first year, deferring LAW 535 to their second year.
- 2
Must be taken in the second year.
- 3
Must be taken in the second year or during intensive session.
- 4
Must be taken fall or spring semester of second year or fall semester of third year.
- 5
This course will be applied to both the Lawyering Skills VI section and the Second Rigorous Writing Requirement.
- 6
Students who plan to take the Virginia bar exam must take (and pass) LAW 802 and LAW 803 if their GPAs are below 2.75 after the fall semester of their second year.
- 7
Third-year students must take LAW 904 in the fall semester of their third year, and LAW 901 in the spring semester of their third year if their GPAs were below 2.75 after the fall semester of their second year.
- 8
The following courses can fulfill this requirement: LAW 605, LAW 621, LAW 645, LAW 705, LAW 725, LAW 732, LAW 743, LAW 745, LAW 747, LAW 755, LAW 761, LAW 775, LAW 781, LAW 831, LAW 871.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 90 hours
- Of the 90 credits required for graduation, no more than 12 credits may be through independent studies, clinics, externships (maximum of 4 credits may be applied towards graduation) and co-curricular activities
- The completion of six semesters (excludes both summer and inter-term sessions) in residence (or equivalent) as a full-time student
- 2.0 GPA
- Degree must be completed within 7 years
Program Offered in Residential Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| LAW 501 | Foundations of Law | 2 |
| LAW 505 | Contracts I | 3 |
| LAW 511 | Torts I | 3 |
| LAW 515 | Property I | 2 |
| LAW 521 | Civil Procedure I | 3 |
| LAW 525 | Lawyering Skills I | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| LAW 506 | Contracts II | 3 |
| LAW 512 | Torts II | 2 |
| LAW 516 | Property II | 3 |
| LAW 522 | Civil Procedure II | 2 |
| LAW 526 | Lawyering Skills II | 2 |
| LAW 527 | Legal Research 1 | 1 |
| LAW 535 | Criminal Law 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| LAW 531 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| LAW 545 | Evidence 3 | 3 |
| LAW 561 | Business Associations | 4 |
| LAW 571 | Lawyering Skills III | 2 |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| LAW 532 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| LAW 541 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 565 | Professional Responsibility 5 | 2 |
| LAW 572 | Lawyering Skills IV | 2 |
| LAW 591 | Taxation of Individuals 6 | 3 |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fifth Semester | ||
| LAW 575 | Wills, Trusts & Estates | 3 |
| LAW 595 | Law Skills V - Trial Advocacy | 3 |
| Jurisprudence Elective 7 | 2-3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Lawyering Skills VI 8 | 2-3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Law Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Total Hours | 90-92 | |
- 1
LAW 527 Legal Research is a required intensive for first-year students which occurs prior to the start of the spring semester.
- 2
First-year students with GPAs at or below 2.50 at the end of their first semester must take LAW 520 Legal Methods in the spring semester of their first year, deferring LAW 535 Criminal Law to their second year.
- 3
Must be taken in the second year.
- 4
LAW Electives range from 1-3 credit hours. Students must complete 22-24 credits in LAW Electives to meet the 90 hour credit requirement.
- 5
Must be taken in the second year or during intensive session.
- 6
Must be taken fall or spring semester of second year or fall semester of third year.
- 7
The following courses can fulll this requirement: LAW 581, LAW 582, or LAW 585.
- 8
Choose one elective course, ranging from 2-3 credits, from the following: LAW 621, LAW 645, LAW 651, LAW 662, LAW 760, LAW 821, LAW 825, LAW 829, LAW 831, or LAW 851.