JD Student Recommended Schedules

To earn the JD degree, students must complete 57 units of required courses and 31 units of elective courses for a total of 88 units. Full-time students usually complete the degree requirements in three years, part-time students in four.

The following are recommended schedules for JD students based on when they start law school and whether they are attending on a full or part-time basis, or are in the Honors Lawyering Program. These schedules are provided as basic models. A student's academic and program status, participation in summer sessions, and specific course schedules, will affect a student's schedule.

All JD students are encouraged to seek academic advising from the Law Student Services Office to ensure their course selections work to meet the Law School's program requirements and the students' individual needs. LLM and SJD students should see their program directors for suggested courses.

The following bar subjects are not required, but are recommended: Community Property (2), Criminal Procedure II (3), Remedies (2), and Sales (2).

Descriptions of the required courses listed below may be viewed online.

Full-time students usually take between 12 and 16 units of coursework per semester. To graduate in three years, students need to complete about 15 units per semester. Students are encouraged to take some summer courses in order to avoid taking consistently heave course loads.

• JD Full-Time Day Student Required and Recommended Course List (Fall 2010 and after)
• JD Full-Time Day Student Required and Recommended Course List (Fall 2008 and 2009)

Part-time students usually take between 8 and 12 units of coursework per semester. To graduate in four years, students generally attend at least one summer session, and are encouraged to take required courses in their first summer. Required courses are offered at least once a year in the evening. Students should take them when they are offered.

• JD Part-Time Evening Student Required and Recommended Course List (Fall 2010 and after)
• JD Part-Time Evening Student Required and Recommended Course List (Fall 2008 and 2009)

Students in the Honors Lawyering Program follow the same course schedule as students in the Full-Time Day Program for their first fall and spring terms. However, during their first summer, they complete the following courses:

• LAW 732 Appellate Advocacy (2 units)
• LAW 801B Constitutional Law II (3 units)
• LAW 804 Evidence (4 units)
• LAW 809B HLP Skills Lab (Law Firm) (2 units)
• LAW 824B Lawyering Skills (2 units)

During the fall semester of their second year, HLP students work full-time and may choose to enroll in a maximum of five units. During the spring semester of their second year, HLP students complete LAW 801A Constitutional Law I (3 units), as well as other required and elective courses. During their third year HLP students complete the same requirements as other full-time JD students.