Juris Doctor (JD) in Law

The School of Law offers a rigorous law curriculum that aims to prepare students for the realities of practice, combining the classic foundation of legal education with the experiential components that are so vital to both Drexel University’s mission and to legal employers today. Students have the option of completing the JD in the traditional three years, or through an accelerated two-year program designed to get students into the legal workforce faster, with the same essential skills and knowledge. Students spend their first year on campus being introduced to the foundations of legal analysis, skills, and professionalism in a diverse learning community. The program includes traditional first-year courses, such as contracts and criminal law. It also includes a comprehensive legal methods course, taught by full-time faculty, which instructs students on the fundamentals of legal writing and analysis, as well as a class on interviewing, counseling, and negotiation. Students choose one elective course as part of their first year curriculum. The remaining curriculum exposes students to a broad array of topics relevant to the study of law. Students are required to complete courses in professional responsibility, legal writing and other practice skills, and statutory law. Students must also complete at least 50 hours of pro bono work. About the Concentrations The Thomas R. Kline School of Law builds on some of the strengths for which Drexel University is nationally known by offering four optional concentrations. These are areas in which there are expanding employment opportunities and a need for specialized knowledge and skills: intellectual property, health, business and entrepreneurship, and criminal law. These concentrations consist not only of specialized courses taught in the classroom, but also experiential learning opportunities such as co-ops and simulations.