Program Overview

Juris Doctor (JD) Program

The University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the practice of law. The program is grounded in the core values of the University of La Verne: life-long learning, ethical reasoning and decision-making, diversity and inclusivity, and community and civic engagement.

Vision and Mission

The vision of La Verne Law is to be an incubator for innovation in legal education, thought, and advocacy for individuals passionate about serving their communities and promoting access and justice. The mission of the College of Law and Public Service is to guide students in obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the practice of law, public administration and management, or other related professional careers as civic and community leaders.

Program Policies

All students admitted to the Juris Doctorate program at the University of La Verne College of Law and Public Service are expected to be familiar with and abide by the College's State Bar of California Approved and Accredited Program of Legal Education Manual of Academic Policies and Procedures. The College of Law and Public Service admits students into the JD Program in the fall for its full-time and part-time day program as well as for its part-time evening program.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the JD program, applicants must:

• Complete an application
• Have a Bachelor's Degree recommended but not required
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Submit LSAT scores or another graduate test score
• Provide one letter of recommendation
• Submit a personal statement
• Submit a resume
• Participate in a personal interview (if invited)
• Address any issues pertaining to criminal background, academic background, and prior law school enrollment

Instructions for International Students

International students must submit transcripts and degree certificates from foreign institutions to the Law School Admission Council or provide an official detailed credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized credentialing service. International students whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test and meet the minimum score requirements.

Program Requirements

The JD program requires a total of 88 semester hours. The program is designed to be completed in three years for full-time students and four years for part-time students.

Full-Time Division

The full-time division requires three academic years of study in residence. Students should expect to devote most of their time to the study of law. The curriculum includes five days of class time per week, 14-15 units per semester.

Part-Time Division

The part-time division is designed to accommodate the needs of working adults or others who cannot devote themselves to the full-time study of law. The program requires four academic years of study, with the option to complete the program within four years by enrolling and studying during the summer.

Clinical Programs

La Verne Law offers two campus-based, live-client clinics: the Justice and Immigration Clinic and the Misdemeanor Appellate Advocacy Clinic. These clinics provide students with practical experience in representing clients and developing case strategy.

Externship Program

The La Verne Law externship program places students in various public and nonprofit agencies, where they gain practical experience under the supervision of a practicing attorney.

Licensing and Bar Preparation

To be licensed to practice law, each student must pass a state bar exam. The Capstone course, a graduation requirement for all JD students, offers comprehensive and targeted assistance, bar review, and preparation for law students during the final semester.

Electives

The JD program offers a range of elective courses, including:

• Administrative Law
• Advanced Appellate Advocacy
• Advanced Legal Research
• Adversarial Evidence Seminar
• Appellate Advocacy
• Animal Law
• Arbitration
• California Civil Procedure
• Civil Rights Law
• Clinical Externship
• Construction Law and Ethics
• Discovery Techniques and Practices
• Employment Law Seminar
• Entertainment Law
• Family Law
• Federal Income Taxation
• Hearsay
• Immigration Law
• Independent Research
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property Overview
• International Law
• Issues in Constitutional Law
• Journal for Law, Business and Ethics Seminar
• Journal for Law, Business and Ethics Production
• Jury Selection
• Justice and Immigration Clinic
• Law Review Seminar
• Law Review Production
• Lawyering Skills Practicum
• Local Government Law
• Math and Physics for Lawyers
• Mediation
• Mediation Practicum
• National Moot Court Competition Team
• Patent Law
• Plea Bargaining Practice Workshop
• Remedies - Practice Workshop
• Trial Team
• Video Game Seminar
• Workers' Compensation
• Wills & Trusts Practice Workshop