Program Overview

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Juris Doctor, JD

The Juris Doctor degree program from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law prepares the next generation of legal scholars to become successful lawyers. The JD program offers a large selection of courses with options for transdisciplinary study with other departments on campus.

Program Description

This three-year, full-time program is designed for those interested in becoming an attorney and practicing law. Within 10 months of graduating, more than 90% of graduates are offered employment. Students can participate in distinct experiential learning opportunities and customize their program with a comprehensive curriculum that includes more than 250 courses.

Degree Awarded

The degree awarded is a JD, Juris Doctor of Law.

Focus Areas

The focus areas offered by ASU Law include:

• Business law
• Constitutional law
• Criminal law
• Dispute resolution
• Health law
• Indian law
• Intellectual property
• International law
• International rule of law and security
• Law, science and technology
• Law and sustainability
• Patent practice
• Sports law and business
• Trial advocacy

First-Year JD Students

First-year JD students take courses in:

• Civil procedure
• Contracts
• Torts
• Legal method and writing
• Property
• Constitutional law
• Criminal law
• Legal advocacy
• Professional responsibility

Graduation Requirements

After the first year, all courses are electives; students must satisfy two writing requirements and an experiential requirement in order to graduate. A full list of graduation requirements can be found on the ASU Law website.

At a Glance

• College/school: Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
• Location: Downtown Phoenix or Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Concurrent Program Options

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

Degree Requirements

ASU Law JD students must complete a total of 88 credit hours to graduate.

• Required Core (30 credit hours)
  • LAW 515 Contracts (4)
  • LAW 516 Criminal Law (3)
  • LAW 517 Torts (4)
  • LAW 518 Civil Procedure (4)
  • LAW 519 Legal Method and Writing (3)
  • LAW 522 Constitutional Law (3)
  • LAW 523 Property (4)
  • LAW 524 Legal Advocacy (2)
  • LAW 638 Professional Responsibility (3)
• Electives (58 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• U.S. applicants
• International applicants
• English proficiency Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

Application Process

To be considered for admission to the JD program, applicants must have taken the LSAT or JD-Next (excludes applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program) and have earned, or will earn by the time of enrollment in law school, a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Application Materials

An application for admission must include:

• Electronic application
• Personal statement (two to three pages, double-spaced and font size no smaller than 11 point)
• Resume (no more than two pages and font size no smaller than 11 point)
• Character and fitness statement, if applicable
• Binding admission contract, if applicable
• A valid LSAT or JD-Next score (excludes applicants applying to the ASU Achievement Program)
• Transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Global Opportunities

Study abroad opportunities, including exchange programs through ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, help satisfy students' interest in traveling and learning about other countries while they are studying law.

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lawyers is projected to grow 5% between 2023 and 2033. The JD degree can lead to a lucrative career in any of several fields, including:

• Arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution attorney
• Chief legal officer
• Compliance attorney
• Corporate lawyer
• Criminal prosecutor or criminal defense attorney
• Family lawyer or divorce attorney
• Judicial clerk or judge
• Law school professor
• Politician or member of Congress
• Trial and appellate lawyer

Professional Licensure

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state.