The Juris Doctor (JD) curriculum consists of 88 total semester units and takes three (3) years of full-time or four (4) years of part-time study to complete. The curriculum is grounded in crucial lawyering skills such as critical reading, in-depth analysis, and presenting competently reasoned cases. For a full listing of class offerings, click here.
Experiential Learning
Hands-on experience is integral to La Verne Law’s Juris Doctor degree 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.
As a JD candidate, you work on actual cases under the direction of faculty and practicing lawyers, providing pro bono legal services in the process. Experiences encompassing our Lawyering Skills Practicum, Externship Program, and additional clinical opportunities have you interacting with clients, writing legal documents, practicing oral advocacy skills, interviewing witnesses, conducting factual investigations, and assisting in discovery, counseling, and negotiating. Learn more about what to expect and how these opportunities enhance your legal education.
Program Requirements
Total Program: 88 semester hours
Full-Time Division
The course of study in the full-time division requires three academic years of study in residence. In the full-time program, students should expect to devote most of their time to the study of law. The curriculum usually includes five days of class time per week, 14-15 units per semester for a total of 88 units. Full-time students may be allowed and/or required to enroll in some classes offered in the evening and on Saturdays. The California Committee of Bar Examiners for the State Bar of California has accredited the University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service as a 3 year full-time Juris Doctor program and as a 4 year part-time Juris Doctor program. Students enrolled in the full-time 3 year JD program are not allowed to graduate early or with less than 3 academic years without prior approval from the Dean.
A typical three-year course of study would be as follows:
1L - Foundational Year
The Foundational (First) Year curriculum consists of the following four two-semester core courses: Contracts, Property, Civil Procedure, and Torts. In the first semester, students are also required to take a one semester Writing course; and in the second semester, students are required to take a one-semester Criminal Law course.
2L - Experiential Learning Year
During the second-year students are exposed to experiential learning opportunities with a focus on both litigation and transactional skills. Each semester consists of multiple courses with designated hours for credit which are graded independently. Adjunct professors who are judges and practicing attorneys teach coordinated components of the semester experience. They also review the students’ participation in mock trial and mock negotiation sessions. Additionally, the Experiential Learning year incorporates academic success skills and legal writing.
3L - Enhancement Year
The Enhancement Year allows students to enhance their learning and expand their horizons by taking courses covering areas of personal interest as well as gaining valuable experience from clinics, externships, and other possibilities. It also incorporates a rigorous writing, academic success, and bar preparation curriculum. Collectively, the Enhancement Year serves to transition students from academic readiness to bar readiness, allowing them to build on what they have learned, become ready to pass the bar exam and enter the legal profession.
Full-Time Division Schedule
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Hours | |
| LAW 501 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research | 3 |
| LAW 510A | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 520A | Property | 3 |
| LAW 530A | Torts | 3 |
| LAW 540A | Civil Procedure | 2-3 |
| Semester Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 500A | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 510B | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 520B | Property | 3 |
| LAW 530B | Torts II | 3 |
| LAW 540B | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 503 | Criminal Procedure: Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 590A | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LAW 640A | Evidence/Proof of Facts | 2-3 |
| LAW 643 | Trial Advocacy | 2-3 |
| LAW 675 | Professional Responsibility | 2 |
| Electives | 1-3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 560 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 2 |
| LAW 590B | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LAW 600A | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAW 603 | Sales | 2-3 |
| LAW 639 | Transactional Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 640B | Evidence | 2-3 |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 504 | Criminal Procedure: Pre-Trial, Trial and Sentencing | 2-3 |
| LAW 514A | Remedies | 2 |
| LAW 522 | Community Property | 2 |
| LAW 600B | Business Organizations | 2 |
| Electives | 6-7 | |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 521 | Wills and Trusts | 3-4 |
| LAW 575 | Comprehensive Legal Education Capstone | 4-5 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Semester Hours | 15-17 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 85-96 | |
Part-Time Division
To accommodate the needs of working adults or others who cannot devote themselves to the full-time study of law, La Verne Law offers part-time flex day and evening programs. These programs are designed to provide flexibility and convenience, allowing students to balance their professional and academic commitments. The part-time programs require four academic years of study, with the option to complete the program within four years by enrolling and studying during the summer. In the part-time programs, students complete 8-10 units per semester. The Part-Time Day Flex program is designed for those who prefer to study during the day but will also have occasional night classes and will typically attend class three times per week. The Evening program, on the other hand, is ideal for those who work during the day, with classes typically held in the evening. Students may be required to attend class four times a week in some semesters. Saturday classes may also be required.
While the part-time program substantively mirrors the full-time program in terms of the required courses, experiential learning opportunities, and available electives, students should expect curricular adjustments with regard to timing and scheduling of the part-time programs. Full-time students may be allowed and/or required to enroll in some classes offered in the evening. The California Committee of Bar Examiners for the State Bar of California has accredited the University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service as a three year full-time Juris Doctor program and as a four year part-time Juris Doctor program. Students enrolled in the part-time four year JD program are not allowed to graduate early or with less than 4 academic years.
Part-time Division Schedule
Part-Time Fall Start Evening Program
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Hours | |
| LAW 501 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research | 3 |
| LAW 510A | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 530A | Torts | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 500A | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 510B | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 530B | Torts II | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| LAW 560 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 2 |
| LAW 675 | Professional Responsibility | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 520A | Property | 3 |
| LAW 540A | Civil Procedure | 2-3 |
| LAW 590A | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 8-9 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 520B | Property | 3 |
| LAW 540B | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 590B | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Electives | 5 | |
| Semester Hours | 5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 640A | Evidence/Proof of Facts | 2-3 |
| LAW 503 | Criminal Procedure: Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 643 | Trial Advocacy | 2-3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 10-12 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 550 | Negotiation | 2-3 |
| LAW 600A | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAW 603 | Sales | 2-3 |
| LAW 639 | Transactional Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 640B | Evidence | 2-3 |
| Semester Hours | 11-14 | |
| Summer | ||
| LAW 504 | Criminal Procedure: Pre-Trial, Trial and Sentencing | 2-3 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 4-5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 521 | Wills and Trusts | 3-4 |
| LAW 522 | Community Property | 2 |
| LAW 600B | Business Organizations | 2 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 10-11 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 514A | Remedies | 2 |
| LAW 575 | Comprehensive Legal Education Capstone | 4-5 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Semester Hours | 10-11 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 89-98 | |
Part-Time Spring Start Evening Program
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Semester Hours | |
| LAW 500A | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 501 | Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research | 3 |
| LAW 540A | Civil Procedure | 2-3 |
| Semester Hours | 8-9 | |
| Summer | ||
| LAW 540B | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 560 | Legal Analysis and Writing | 2 |
| Semester Hours | 5 | |
| Fall | ||
| LAW 510A | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 520A | Property | 3 |
| LAW 530A | Torts | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring | ||
| LAW 510B | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 520B | Property | 3 |
| LAW 530B | Torts II | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| LAW 675 | Professional Responsibility | 2 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 4 | |
| Fall | ||
| LAW 503 | Criminal Procedure: Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 640A | Evidence/Proof of Facts | 2-3 |
| LAW 643 | Trial Advocacy | 2-3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 10-12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Spring | ||
| LAW 600A | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAW 603 | Sales | 2-3 |
| LAW 639 | Transactional Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 640B | Evidence | 2-3 |
| Semester Hours | 9-11 | |
| Summer | ||
| LAW 504 | Criminal Procedure: Pre-Trial, Trial and Sentencing | 2-3 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 4-5 | |
| Fall | ||
| LAW 522 | Community Property | 2 |
| LAW 590A | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LAW 600B | Business Organizations | 2 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Spring | ||
| LAW 514 | Remedies | 3 |
| LAW 590B | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Electives | 4 | |
| Semester Hours | 4 | |
| Fall | ||
| LAW 521 | Wills and Trusts | 3-4 |
| LAW 575 | Comprehensive Legal Education Capstone | 4-5 |
| Electives | 1 | |
| Semester Hours | 8-10 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 88-96 | |
Electives1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 650 | Administrative Law | 2,3 |
| LAW 587 | Advanced Appellate Advocacy | 2 |
| LAW 562B | Advanced Legal Research | 2 |
| LAW 642 | Adversarial Evidence Seminar | 1-2 |
| LAW 580 | Appellate Advocacy | 2 |
| LAW 645 | Animal Law | 2 |
| LAW 543 | Arbitration | 2 |
| LAW 549 | California Civil Procedure | 2,3 |
| LAW 594 | Civil Rights Law | 2,3 |
| LAW 690 | Clinical Externship | 1-4 |
| LAW 647 | Construction Law and Ethics | 2 |
| LAW 636 | Discovery Techniques and Practices | 3 |
| LAW 653 | Employment Law Seminar | 2,3 |
| LAW 611 | Entertainment Law | 2 |
| LAW 523 | Family Law | 2 |
| LAW 523A | Family Law - Practice Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 624 | Federal Income Taxation | 2,3 |
| LAW 663 | Hearsay | 1 |
| LAW 655 | Immigration Law | 2,3 |
| LAW 699 | Independent Research | 1,2 |
| LAW 614 | Insurance Law | 2 |
| LAW 610 | Intellectual Property Overview | 2-3 |
| LAW 538 | International Law | 2-3 |
| LAW 595 | Issues in Constitutional Law | 2,3 |
| LAW 693 | Journal for Law, Business and Ethics Seminar | 2 |
| LAW 694 | Journal for Law, Business and Ethics Production | 1-2 |
| LAW 509 | Jury Selection | 2 |
| LAW 692 | Justice and Immigration Clinic | 1-6 |
| LAW 648 | Advanced Trial Techniques | 2 |
| LAW 695 | Law Review Seminar | 2,3 |
| LAW 697 | Law Review Production | 1-3 |
| LAW 557 | Lawyering Skills Practicum | 3-10 |
| LAW 654 | Local Government Law | 2 |
| LAW 529 | Math and Physics for Lawyers | 2 |
| LAW 546 | Mediation | 2-3 |
| LAW 555 | Mediation Practicum | 4 |
| LAW 588 | National Moot Court Competition Team | 1,2 |
| LAW 620 | Patent Law | 2 |
| LAW 550P | Plea Bargaining Practice Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 514C | Remedies - Practice Workshop | 1 |
| LAW 586 | Trial Team | 1-2 |
| LAW 631 | Video Game Seminar | 3 |
| LAW 658 | Workers' Compensation | 2,3 |
| LAW 521P | Wills & Trusts Practice Workshop | 1 |
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Elective courses may not be offered every year.