Earn a Juris Doctor (JD) at the College of Law and Public Service and become an attorney who makes a difference for the community. Our practice-driven curriculum and fully integrated bar preparation make for an unparalleled educational experience.

For more than 50 years, the University of La Verne has prepared generations of lawyers to serve the people of Southern California. As a State Bar of California-approved and accredited law school, we teach the practice of law while empowering our students to promote access to legal services and justice in our communities. We understand what students need to thrive in law school: interactive classroom experiences, personal advising, and one-on-one support services.

The University of La Verne’s College of Law and Public Service offers some of Southern California’s most affordable and quality legal programs. La Verne law students earned the #1 bar pass rate for California Accredited Law Schools among July 2023 first-time exam takers. We are also one of the country’s most diverse law schools.

About Our Juris Doctor Program

Our Juris Doctor curriculum is grounded in crucial lawyering skills such as critical reading, in-depth analysis, and presenting competently reasoned cases.

Year One starts with a solid foundation in core subjects tested on the California Bar Exam—contracts, real property, civil procedure, torts, and criminal law—as well as writing. Year Two prepares students for the legal profession with learning opportunities based on real-world problems. Year Three enhances their legal education through clinics and externships, bar preparation, and a selection of elective courses that will allow students to dig deeper into the legal topics that interest them most.

Hands-on experience is integral to our Juris Doctor program. In considering our mission of advocacy and civic engagement, our Clinical Law Program emphasizes practical training and applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

Program Formats

Our full-time program can be completed in three years, while our part-time day or evening enrollment options will take four years to complete. New students typically start in the fall, but a spring start is available for part-time evening students. The student cohorts take courses at the College of Law and Public Service campus in Ontario.

The program has a 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which is ideal for creating a collaborative classroom environment brimming with interaction between professors and fellow classmates.

Dual Law Degree Programs

The college recognizes that each student has their own personal and professional career goals. For those students that envision themselves utilizing their legal knowledge to influence the business world or government, our dual-degree programs make it possible to earn a JD along with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MEd) from the University of La Verne.

Accreditation

The College of Law and Public Service’s program of legal education is approved and accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners for the California State Bar. Study at or graduation from the law school’s program of legal education approved by the California State Bar may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Our program is affordably priced so that attaining a law degree is achievable. Still, we offer scholarships to qualified full-time students who show potential for success in our program. The Office of Financial Aid can also coordinate loans to help cover out-of-pocket costs.

Student Support

The college’s goal is to prepare students to pass the California Bar Exam and become great lawyers. To do this, bar preparation is integrated into the entire law school experience. The Student Success Center is a resource to help students strengthen critical academic and bar exam skills during law school.

The Career Development Office provides support and assistance to law school students as well as our more than 2,500 alumni.

University of La Verne students also have access to the largest law library in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, as well as other university resources like housing, accessibility, health services, and more.

Co-Curricular Activities

The College of Law and Public Service aims to create an educational environment built on achievement, connections, and gaining real-world skills before you graduate. Our co-curricular activities provide opportunities for students to enhance their understanding of legal proceedings, build confidence and establish a professional network. Students may write for the Law Review, test their skills in competition through the Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) teams, or join some of our dozens of student associations, fraternities, and legal societies.