Juris Doctor (JD) - Public Interest Law Concentration

The degree of juris doctor is the basic professional degree offered by the USD School of Law. The law school shapes its curriculum to meet the diverse career goals and intellectual interests of its students within the traditional educational preparation for the practice of law. Students who wish to emphasize or specialize in a particular area of law can choose electives from a broad range of courses. The law school also offers clinical and internship programs to give law students who have completed their first year an opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining practical experience. Students who enter the full-time program must attempt and pay for six (6) full-time fall or spring semesters of at least 12 credits for graduation. Students who enter the part-time program must attempt and pay for eight (8) part-time regular semesters (8 to 11 credits) for graduation. This program is designed for students who are prepared to devote their entire time to the study of law. A law student who pursues this program cannot be employed full-time. The rules of the American Bar Association and the USD School of Law stipulate that a full-time student may not be employed more than 20 hours per week. This program generally requires three full academic years in residence. In general, classes are scheduled Monday through Friday. Students often come to law school looking to serve the public by making positive changes in their own community. USD's renowned legal research advocacy clinics such as the Center for Public Interest Law, Children's Advocacy Institute and Energy Policy Initiatives Center are centers for teaching, research and advocacy. They are nationally recognized for their work in training future public interest lawyers and their integration of students into meaningful advocacy work.