Program Overview

Juris Doctor Program

Overview

The Juris Doctor program at the William S. Boyd School of Law offers full-time and part-time programs to meet the diverse needs of students. The full-time day program is a three-year program, while the part-time day and evening programs are four-year programs. The program integrates a strong instruction in skills and professionalism into its rigorous legal education program, combining traditional and experiential learning.

Program Details

The Juris Doctor program includes various components that help students transition from understanding pure legal theory to applying that theory to solve clients' problems. These components include:

• Lawyering Process courses in legal research, writing, and analysis
• The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution
• The Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic
• Externship, simulation, service learning, and community service opportunities

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Juris Doctor program will be able to demonstrate:

• Legal Knowledge: Apply domestic, comparative, international, legislative, regulatory, statutory, or transnational laws
• Analysis and Decision-Making: Evaluate or solve legal problems
• Policy Evaluation: Examine and connect legal contexts, issues, policy, theory, or values
• Legal Writing: Draft written texts for legal purposes and audiences
• Oral Communication: Employ oral communication for legal purposes and audiences
• Information Gathering and Processing: Obtain and assess information about facts, law, procedure, and theory
• Interpersonal Perspectives: Demonstrate emotional intelligence and ability to work with other people
• Client and Practice Management: Employ tools or strategies that encourage the ethical and effective practice of law
• Bias, Cultural Competence, and Anti-Racism: Understand the legal profession's obligation to reduce bias and racism in the legal system and promote cultural competence and cultural humility
• Professional Identity: Understand what it means to be a lawyer and the special obligations lawyers have to their clients and society

Career Possibilities

Graduates of the Juris Doctor program can pursue various careers, including:

• Judicial Clerk
• Health Law Attorney
• Arbitrator/Mediator
• Intellectual Property Attorney
• Immigration Attorney
• Prosecutor
• Public Defender
• Legislator
• Legal Aid Attorney
• Law Librarian
• Lobbyist
• FBI Agent
• Solo Practitioner
• Regulatory Attorney

Program Structure

The program offers three- and four-year options, with a focus on integrating theory and practice. The curriculum includes a range of courses and experiential learning opportunities designed to prepare students for the competent and ethical practice of law.