Juris Doctor Program
A foundational legal education designed for today’s advocates and tomorrow’s leaders
Sidebar
The Juris Doctor (JD) program at Brandeis School of Law is a rigorous, engaging and purpose-driven path to the legal profession. Students complete 90 credit hours of coursework over the course of three years, beginning with a structured first-year curriculum followed by customizable upper-level study. From foundational legal principles to hands-on practice, our program prepares students not just to pass the bar – but to serve the public with integrity, empathy and skill.
Please note: Brandeis School of Law does not offer a Master of Laws (LLM) degree or an accelerated JD program for foreign-trained attorneys.
First-year curriculum: Building a strong foundation
All first-year students matriculate in the Fall semester and follow a predetermined curriculum designed to develop core competencies in legal analysis, writing and reasoning.
Students who may not be able to take on a full first-year course load have the option – upon approval – to defer one or two standard courses to their second year.
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| Civil Procedure (4 credits) | Constitutional Law (4 credits) |
| Contracts (4 credits) | Property (4 credits) |
| Torts (4 credits) | Criminal Law (3 credits) |
| Lawyering Skills I (3 credits) | Lawyering Skills II (3 credits) |
| Professional Identity (1 credits) |
Upper-level curriculum: Explore, specialize and serve
After the first year, students shape their education around their goals – choosing from a diverse range of lectures, seminars, clinics, externships and interdisciplinary opportunities. Up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework outside the law school may count toward the JD degree with approval.
Students must meet the following graduation requirements:
Core Courses
To prepare for the bar exam and professional practice, students must complete at least 18 credit hours from the following core subjects:
- Advanced Civil Procedure (3 credits)
- Advanced Constitutional Law (3 credits)
- Business Organizations (4 credits)
- Commercial Law (3 credits)
- Criminal Procedure: Constitutional Issues (3 credits)
- Criminal Procedure: Judicial Process (3 credits)
- Decedents’ Estates & Trusts (4 credits)
- Evidence (4 credits)
- Family Law (3 credits)
- Products Liability (3 credits)
- Real Estate Transactions (3 credits)
Required Courses
Professional Responsibility
This course is required for all JD students and focuses on the ethical standards that govern legal practice. Students must also pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) to be eligible for the bar.
Perspective Course
Students are required to complete at least one course that offers an alternative or “outsider” perspective on the American legal system – through historical context, international law, other disciplines or voices from underrepresented communities. Eligible courses vary by semester.
Upper-Level Writing & Research Requirement
This requirement is met through:
- A designated writing-intensive course,
- An approved independent study or
- Participation on a Brandeis Law journal.
Students must produce a substantial legal research paper (at least 6,250 words, excluding citations) that demonstrates strong analytical reasoning, original research and a grade of C or better.
Experiential learning: Learn by doing
To graduate, students must complete at least 6 credit hours of experiential learning, including a minimum of 2 credits in live-client courses such as clinics or externships. These real-world experiences build legal and professional skills while reinforcing our commitment to community-focused legal service.
Learn more about Experiential Learning opportunities at Brandeis School of Law.
Explore our course catalog
For a closer look at current course offerings, visit our Course Catalog. Please note that course names, numbers, and credit values – particularly for first-year courses – may differ beginning Fall 2024 due to recent curriculum updates.