The College of Law building is surrounded by some of the most prestigious business, government, nonprofit and cultural organizations in the world. This environment is ideal for students to get an immersive education. The law touches so many parts of our lives and the juris doctor program at Georgia State Law prepares students to advocate for justice.
Juris Doctor Requirements
- 90 Law Credits (44 credits in required courses; 46 credits in elective offerings)
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.20
- Scholarly Writing Requirement (requires C+ or better)
Required Courses
- Civil Procedure I (3 hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Contracts (4 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Lawyering: Advocacy (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations I (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
- Legislation and Regulation (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Research Methods in Law (1 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Professional Responsibility (3 hours)
- Professional Development (0 hours) (2 semesters)
Experiential Learning Requirement
- Lawyering Advocacy (3 hours– required course)
- Experiential Learning Course:
- HeLP Legal Services Clinic
- Immigration Clinic
- Phillip C. Cook Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
- Capital Defender Clinic
- Olmstead Disability Rights Clinic
- Mediation Clinic
- Externship
- Other course designated Experiential (“E”)
Strongly Recommended Electives
- Basic Federal Taxation
- Corporations
- Con Law II
- Family Law
- Georgia Practice & Procedure
- Remedies
- Criminal Procedure: Adjudications & Investigations
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Uniform Commercial Code:
- Article 2: Sales
- Article 3: Commercial Paper
- Article 9: Securities & Liens
Additional Requirements
- No more than 18 credits of S/U toward 90 credit total, not including required or co-curricular courses (Moot Court, Law Review, etc).
- No more than 30 credits of online/hybrid online.
- Completion of degree within 84 months of enrollment at a law school
- Students transferring divisions must pay special attention to the residency rules.
- Apply for Graduation at least one semester before graduation (i.e. June 2021 graduation, apply in September 2020).
Pre-2021 Curriculum
Year 1
Fall Semester (14 credit hours)
- Contracts I (3 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure I (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations I (3 hours)
- Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
Spring Semester (16 credit hours)
- Contracts II (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester (16 credit hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Electives (9 hours)
Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
- Lawyering Advocacy (3 hours)
- Professional Responsibility (3 hours)
- Electives (9 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)
- Electives (15 hours)
Spring Semester (14 credit hours)
- Electives (14 credit hours)
Year 1
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)
- Contracts (4 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure I (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations I (3 hours)
- Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
- Professional Development/Academic Success (0 hours)
Spring Semester (16 credit hours)
- Legislation and Regulation (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester (16 credit hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Professional Responsibility or The Client Relationship (3 hours)
- Electives (6-9 hours)
Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
- Lawyering Advocacy (3 hours)
- Professional Responsibility or The Client Relationship (3 hours)
- Electives (6-9 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester (14 credit hours)
- Electives (14 hours)
Spring Semester (14 credit hours)
- Electives (14 credit hours)
About 34 percent of our students are enrolled part-time so they can balance their studies with full-time jobs, families and other commitments. Part-time students can elect to take classes during the day, evening or a combination of both. A J.D. can be earned in 4 years with summer enrollment, although many students complete the program in 5 years.
All programs and resources are available to both part-time and full-time J.D. students, including moot court, Law Review and trial litigation programs.
Pre-2021 Curriculum
Year 1
Fall Semester (11 credit hours)
- Contracts I (3 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations I (3 hours)
- Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
- Prof. Development/Academic Success (0 hours)
Spring Semester (10 credit hours)
- Contracts II (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
Optional Summer Semester
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester (9 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure I (3 hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Elective (3 hours)
Spring Semester (9 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Elective (3 hours)
Optional Summer Semester
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester (10 credit hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Electives (6 hours)
Spring Semester (10 credit hours)
- Lawyering: Advocacy (3 hours)
- Professional Responsibility (3 hours)
- Electives (4 hours)
Optional Summer Semester
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 4
Fall Semester (10 credit hours)
- Electives (10 hours)
Spring Semester (9 credit hours)
- Electives (9 hours)
Year 1
Fall Semester
(11 credit hours)
- Contracts (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure I
(3 hours) - Lawyering Foundations I
(3 hours) - Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
- Professional Development/Academic Success (0 hours)
Spring Semester
(10 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II
(3 hours)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4 credit hours)
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester
(10-11 credit hours)
- Torts
(4 hours) - Constitutional Law I
(3 hours) - Electives (3-4 hours)
Spring Semester
(9-10 credit hours)
- Legislation and Regulation
(3 hours) - Criminal Law
(3 hours) - Electives (3-4 hours)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4 credit hours)
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester
(10 credit hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Electives (6 hours)
Spring Semester
(10 credit hours)
- Lawyering Advocacy
(3 hours) - Professional Responsibility or The Client Relationship
(3 hours) - Electives (4 hours)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4 credit hours)
- Electives (4 hours)
Year 4
Fall Semester (9 credit hours)
- Electives (9 hours)
Spring Semester (9 credit hours)
- Electives (9 hours)
Dual Degrees
The College of Law offers several options for students to earn degrees that complement their legal education. To pursue a dual degree, students must be accepted by both colleges and satisfy the curriculum requirements for both programs. Credit hours earned in one degree program may be used to satisfy some of the elective course requirements of the other degree program, enabling students to earn both degrees in a shorter time than would be possible pursuing both degrees separately. Interested applicants should contact the appropriate colleges for application procedures and materials.
- Logan Stone, J.D. '19
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