Degree Requirements
The University of Dayton School of Law offers a full-time program to earn your Juris Doctor degree. You must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours to obtain a J.D.
Our Lawyer as Problem Solver program allows a flexible academic calendar. You can complete the program in either five or six semesters, and can begin classes in either the summer or fall semester. Depending on the timeline you choose, you may earn your J.D. in 24 to 34 calendar months.
For more details, see our Course Descriptions >>
If you begin your legal studies before August 2010, you will take courses in three categories, to complete your J.D.:
Core Required Courses: You must take these courses. Some are concentration specific.
Concentration Required Courses: You have the option to choose one of our three concentrations (Advocacy and Dispute Resolution; Personal and Transactional Law; or Intellectual Property, Cyberlaw and Creativity). You are not required to select a concentration.
Electives: You may select electives from a variety of offerings to reach the required 90 semester hours.
The following overview of our curriculum applies to students who begin their legal studies in May 2011 or after:
First Semester
Civil Practice and Procedure (4 credits)
Contracts I (2 credits)
Legal Profession I (3 credits)
Real Property I (4 credits)
Torts I (3 credits)
Second Semester
Constitutional Law (4 credits)
Contracts II (3 credits)
Criminal Law (3 credits)
Legal Profession II (3 credits)
Torts II (2 credits)
Third Semester
Legislation (3 credits)
Upper-Level Writing Requirement
Student must take one of the following courses:
- Appellate Advocacy (2 credits)
- Transactional Drafting (2 credits)
Additional -Level Writing Requirements
Externship or Law Clinic Intern
Evidence (3 credits)
Professional Responsibility (2 credits)
Synthesis Requirement: Capstone (3 or 4 credits)
ADR Requirement (one of the following):
- ADR for the Litigator (3 credits)
- Interviewing, Counseling, Negotiations (3 credits)
- Conflict Management and ADR (3 credits)
- Advanced Dispute Resolution (4 credits)
