Law (JD Full time)
There's more to a legal education than mastering “black letter” law.
Loyola's Juris Doctor (JD) program combines the academic rigor you expect with the practical experience you'll need to rise above the competition. Working with our nationally-recognized faculty, you'll learn to effectively apply the law to real-world scenarios. As a Loyola graduate, you'll be prepared for practice from day one, ready to meet (and exceed) the demands of prospective clients and employers.
Curriculum
To earn a JD degree, you must complete 86 credit hours of coursework. A minimum of 6 credit hours of experiential learning are required. Your first year coursework provides a strong, structured foundation. During the next two years you will tailor your courses, experiential learning, and course delivery to meet your goals and interests. Visit our Registrar for a complete list of degree requirements, academic calendars, and registration process.
In your first year at Loyola, you’ll work closely with our highly regarded faculty to learn the art of legal analysis and foundations of the American legal system. You're also eligible to choose an elective course of interest to you. If you decide to specialize, our programs offer everything you need.
Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 152 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 190R | Basic Legal Research | 0 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| LAW 410 | Legal Writing III | 2 |
| LAW 414 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| Perspective Elective | 2-3 | |
| Skills Training Course | 2 | |
| Experiental Learning | 6 | |
| BCCR Course | ||
| Total Hours | 43-44 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 152 | Property 1 | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 190R | Basic Legal Research | 0 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law 1 | 4 |
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| Perspective Elective | Students can choose from an elective course that examines perspectives on the law and justice. All students must complete a perspective elective before graduation. | 2-3 |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 410 | Legal Writing III | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 32-33 | |
- 1
To be taken first year full-time/second year part-time.
Upper Level Required Courses
- Skills Training Course (2 credits)
A skills class is one that offers substantial instruction in the professional skills generally regarded as necessary for effective and responsible participation in the legal profession. All JD students are required to complete the skills course requirement prior to graduation. - Experiential Learning (6 credits)
Experiential learning classes enable students to perform their legal knowledge, skills and values in a real or simulated practice setting with intense, ongoing law school supervision and assessment. Examples include live-client clinics, judicial or non-judicial externships, practica, or comprehensive simulations. At least three of these credits must involve work with live clients. The remaining three credits can involve comprehensive simulations. - LAW 414 Professional Responsibility (taken after first year)
- One course that involves substantial instruction in bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism (BCCR).
Highly Recommended Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 210 | Evidence | 4 |
| LAW 221 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 270 | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAW 280 | Federal Income Tax | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:
- Utilize skills derived from participation in supervised live-client experiences, externships, or litigation and transactional practice simulations, such as interviewing, counseling, negotiation, mediation, fact development and analysis, problem solving, design thinking, trial practice, document drafting, and collaborative work
- Determine your clients' needs and objectives
- Determine relevant facts and understand their relevance to your client's legal position
- Conduct legal research
- Analyze and apply relevant legal principles
- Find solutions to legal problems
- Communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing