Program Requirements
In order to receive the Juris Doctor degree, a student must complete 90 credits worth of courses, successfully complete all curricular requirements, satisfy all probationary requirements, and fulfill all financial obligations to the university.
Juris Doctor
UMass Law offers three programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree: a full-time day program, a part-time day program, and an evening/weekend program.
The school also participates in two joint degree programs which allow students to earn a Master’s in Business Administration or a Master’s in Public Policy simultaneously with the Juris Doctor.
The university also offers a “three-plus-three” program, under which qualifying undergraduates may substitute the first year at the law school for the senior year at the university, thus earning the Bachelor’s Degree and the Juris Doctor Degree in six rather than seven years.
The Day Programs
The full-time day program normally requires three academic years to complete. The part-time day program is designed for students who cannot devote full time to the study of law but would find the evening/weekend program inconvenient because of family or employment responsibilities. The part-time day program takes about four and a half years to complete.
The Evening/Weekend Program
The law school’s evening/weekend program is particularly suited to the needs of those who want a legal education but because of family or employment responsibilities cannot attend a traditional program.
Classes in the program are offered on Monday through Thursday in the evening and on Saturday during the day. This schedule gives students who hold full-time jobs the opportunity to attend law school.
Students are, of course, subject to the same reading requirements as at any law school. Despite their work and family commitments, students find that this is manageable. The program takes about four and a half years to complete.
Other Program Options
Summer Sessions
Students may accelerate their course of studies by taking courses during the summer sessions. If done every summer, full-time students can complete their studies in two and a half years, and part-time students in four years.
Joint Degree Programs
The law school and the Charlton College of Business offer a joint JD/MBA degree program that allows students to integrate advanced management study and a law school education by pursuing both degrees simultaneously.
A similar program—the JD/MPP joint degree program—is offered by the Department of Public Policy and UMass Law.
Three-Plus-Three Program
The university has established a joint “Three-Plus-Three” program that offers significant advantages to interested, qualifying students. This program offers a fast track to a law degree in six rather than seven years. The program leads to the award of a bachelor’s degree by UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor degree by UMass School of Law.
