Program Overview
J.D. Program Overview
The J.D. program at Penn State Dickinson Law is designed to provide students with a comprehensive legal education, preparing them for a successful career in law. The program is built around a set of core courses, experiential learning opportunities, and elective options that allow students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.
Degree Requirements
To earn a J.D. degree, students must complete the following requirements:
- Earn at least 88 credits, including all first-year required courses.
- Be in full-time residence for six semesters.
- Meet good standing requirements.
- Complete an upper-level writing seminar with at least a C.
- Complete Professional Responsibility with at least a C.
- Complete a minimum of 9 experiential education credits, with at least 3 of those credits earned from a clinic or externship.
- Complete one course that satisfies ABA Standard 303(c) (course on bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism) with at least a C.
First-Year Required Courses
The first-year curriculum includes a set of courses that establish the core doctrinal, theoretical, and policy foundations of law. These courses are:
- Torts (4 credits)
- Civil Procedure (4 credits)
- Criminal Law (3 credits)
- Legal Analysis & Writing I (2 credits)
- Race & Equal Protection of the Laws (0.5 credits)
- Pathways to Legal Success: Foundations, Skills, and Career Development (1 credit)
- Contracts (4 credits)
- Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
- Property (4 credits)
- Legal Analysis & Writing II (2 credits)
- Legal Research (2 credits)
Experiential Learning Requirement
The upper-level experiential learning requirement is a key component of the J.D. program. Students must earn at least 6 of the required 12 credits by practicing law in an in-house legal clinic, an externship, or a semester-in-practice. The remaining credits can be earned by enrolling in courses designated as experiential learning courses.
Contingent J.D. Degree Requirements
Students who rank in the bottom quarter of their class after the second semester of law school and who earned a grade below "C" in any first-year course have additional requirements for graduation. These requirements include:
- Taking and passing at least six substantive doctrinal bar courses ("BAR") in order to graduate.
- Taking and passing the Fundamental Skills for the Bar Examination during the final semester of law school.
J.D. Degree Requirements for Transfer Students
As part of the transfer admission process, the admissions committee and academic deans will evaluate transferable credits and completion of the J.D. degree requirements. Transfer students must meet the same degree requirements as other students, including completing the experiential learning requirement and earning at least 88 credits.
Joint Degree Programs
Penn State Dickinson Law offers joint degree programs that allow students to earn a J.D. and another graduate degree simultaneously. These programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in law and another field, preparing them for a successful career in a variety of industries.
Education Abroad and Exchange Programs
Penn State Dickinson Law offers education abroad and exchange programs that allow students to study law in another country. These programs provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about different legal systems and cultures, preparing them for a successful career in a globalized world.
Academic Standing Rules
The academic standing rules at Penn State Dickinson Law are designed to ensure that students are making satisfactory progress towards their degree. Students who fail to meet the academic standing requirements may be subject to academic probation or dismissal.
Honor Code
The honor code at Penn State Dickinson Law is designed to promote academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to adhere to the honor code and maintain the highest standards of academic integrity throughout their time at the law school.