Degree requirements
To earn your Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, you must:
- Complete 90 course credits
- Successfully complete all curricular requirements
- Satisfy all probationary requirements
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the university
Degree programs
UMass Law offers three programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree as well as joint degree programs.
Traditional full-time day program
The full-time program takes three years to complete.
Part-time day program
- Designed for students who cannot devote full time to the study of law but who would find the evening/weekend program inconvenient
- Takes about four and a half years to complete
Evening/weekend program
This program offers you the opportunity to attend law school—even if you work full time or have family commitments.
- Suited to the needs of those who want a legal education but cannot attend a traditional program
- Offered in the evening, Monday through Thursday; and during the day, on Saturday
- Takes about four and a half years to complete
Summer sessions: accelerate your studies
You may accelerate your course of studies by taking courses during the summer sessions. By taking advantage of these sessions 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
UMass Law and UMass Dartmouth offer the following joint degree programs:
JD/MBA
The joint JD/MBA degree program offered by UMass Law and the Charlton College of Business that allows you to integrate advanced management study and a law school education by pursuing both degrees simultaneously. More information
JD/MPP
The joint JD/MPP degree program is offered by UMass Law and the Department of Public Policy. More information
Three-plus-three program
UMass Dartmouth 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 Law. More information
