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 (48 credits in required courses; 42 credits in elective offerings)
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.20
- Scholarly Writing Requirement (requires C+ or better)
Required Courses
- Civil Procedure: The Federal Rules (3 hours)
- Civil Procedure: Federalism and Constitutional Issues (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 hour)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Professional Responsibility or its equivalent (3 hours)
- Profession of Law (1 hour)
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).
Year 1
Fall Semester (15.5 credit hours)
- Contracts (4 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure: The Federal Rules (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations I (3 hours)
- Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
- Profession of Law (.5 hours)
Spring Semester (16.5 credit hours)
- Legislation and Regulation (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure: Federalism and Constitutional Issues (3 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Profession of Law (.5 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 if not previously taken (3 hours)
- Electives (6-9 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester (13-15 credit hours)
- Electives (13-15 hours)
Spring Semester (13-15 credit hours)
- Electives (13-15 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.
Year 1
Fall Semester
(11.5 credit hours)
- Contracts (4 hours)
- Civil Procedure: The Federal Rules
(3 hours) - Lawyering Foundations I
(3 hours) - Research Methods in Law (1 hour)
- Profession of Law (.5 hours total for both semesters)
Spring Semester
(10.5 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure: Federalism and Constitutional Issues (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Lawyering Foundations II (3 hours)
- Profession of Law (.5 hours total for both semesters)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4-6 credit hours)
- Electives (4-6 hours)
Year 2
Fall Semester
(10-11 credit hours)
- Torts
(4 hours) - Constitutional Law I
(3 hours) - Electives (3-4 hours)
Spring Semester
(9-11 credit hours)
- Legislation and Regulation (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Electives (3-5 hours)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4-6 credit hours)
- Electives (4-6 hours)
Year 3
Fall Semester
(10-11 credit hours)
- Evidence (4 hours)
- Professional Responsibility or its equivalent (3 hours)
- Electives (3-4 hours)
Spring Semester
(10 credit hours)
- Lawyering Advocacy (3 hours)
- Professional Responsibility or its equivalent (if not already taken) (3 hours)
- Electives (4-8 hours)
Strongly suggested Summer Semester
(4-6 credit hours)
- Electives (4-6 hours)
Year 4
Fall Semester (9-11 credit hours)
- Electives (9-11 hours)
Spring Semester (9-11 credit hours)
- Electives (9-11 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
Explore Georgia State Law
We're committed to helping you succeed to Georgia State College of Law. Explore all the resources available here to learn more about us.