Juris Doctor Degree Requirements* 89 earned credit hours (35 in required courses; 54 in elective offerings) First-Year Courses 2021 Pre-Fall Intersession (August 2021) Introduction to Law
Fall 2021
Civil Procedure Contracts Legal Writing I Professional Development Torts (or Property)
Pre-Spring Intersession (January 2022) Lawyering
Spring 2022
Criminal Law Constitutional Law Legal Writing II Professional Development Property (or Torts)
Upper Division Requirements Core Electives
Students must successfully complete at least five of the following courses: Administrative Law Business Organizations Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Evidence Tax—Basic Federal Personal Income Trusts & Estates
Other Electives Students select from hundreds of offerings Professional Responsibility Scholarly Writing Requirement
The Scholarly Writing Requirement is intended to ensure that all students compose at least one scholarly writing for which they must analyze, synthesize, organize, and present legal material.
Experiential Learning Requirement Foundations: Lawyering–Introduces students to the lawyering skills, other than writing, required of lawyers, with a focus on client counseling, interviewing, and negotiation. Advanced Practice Writing–Ensures that all students attain proficiency in the type of practical writing assignments attorneys perform regularly. Applied Skills–Designed to ensure that all students attain proficiency in lawyering skills, in addition to drafting, in a real or simulated context, and could be satisfied through Clinic, Externships, Practicum, Pro Bono Scholars Program, Advanced Interviewing and Counseling, Advanced Trial Advocacy, Deposition Practice, Mediation: Representing Clients, Negotiation, or Trial Advocacy.
Joint Degree Programs Accounting: J.D./M.B.A. and J.D./M.S. Bankruptcy: J.D./LL.M. Business Administration: J.D./M.B.A. Government and Politics: J.D./M.A. Health Care Administration: J.D./M.P.A.
Journals
A Unique Approach to the First Year St. John’s Law 1Ls gain a competitive advantage by beginning practical skills training during the first year through an innovative set of courses. Introduction to Law A pass/fail two-week course prior to your fall classes that will give you the tools to be a successful law student. You’ll learn to read and brief cases, interpret statutes, and practice the fundamentals of legal writing. Lawyering A one-week immersion into the real skills that lawyers use including mediation, negotiation, and client interviewing. Professional Development A year-long course to help you develop your professional identity and skills. You will learn about career options, resume and cover letter writing, and job search timelines, techniques and strategies. The class will also cover academic success strategies as well as professionalism and ethics.
Research, write, or become a published author on a student-run journal: St. John’s Law Review Journal of Catholic Legal Studies American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development New York International Law Review Commercial Division Online Law Report New York Real Property Law Journal
Co-curricular Programs Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute Moot Court Honor Society Dispute Resolution Society
*The above is an overview only. Complete details of academic requirements can be found in the Student Handbook at www.stjohns.edu/law/student-services/law-student-handbook.
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