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Academic Advisor: James Lambert

Students who matriculated in the JD program before Fall 2023 must earn 87 Law credits to graduate. Those matriculating in Fall 2023 or later must earn 85 Law credits to graduate. Those Law credits must be comprised of the following:

• The prescribed first-year courses:

• Ethics Requirement:  A two-credit course in ethics and professional responsibility.  Courses that satisfy the Ethics requirement are identified in the Course Browser by using the JD Course of Study drop-down menu and searching for "JD - ethics."
• Substantial Research and Writing Project Requirement:  One faculty-supervised research paper for a minimum of two credits.  This may be fulfilled by way of a seminar or an independent study.  The SRWP paper must be a solo project; group projects may not be used to fulfill the requirement.  The student's engagement in a substantial research and writing project must be registered with the Registrar's Office no later than the end of the drop/add period of the student's fifth semester.  Courses that satisfy the SRWP requirement are identified in the Course Browser by using the JD Course of Study drop-down menu and searching for "JD - substantial research and writing project."
  • Rule 3-31: The Substantial Research and Writing Project
• Experiential Learning Requirement:  a minimum six credits in simulation courses, clinics and/or externships.  Courses that satisfy the Experiential Learning Requirement are identified in the Course Browser by using the JD Course of Study drop-down menu and searching for "experiential learning." 
• ABA Standard 303(c) Requirement: At least one upper-level course providing education on bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism. Courses meeting this standard are identified in the Course Browser by using the JD Course of Study drop-down menu and searching for "Standard 303(c)." Alternatively, students may fulfill this requirement by writing a paper for a seminar or independent study that is certified to meet the Standard. This requirement applies to students matriculating in Fall 2023 or later.
• Professional Development Requirement: All students entering law school in Fall 2018 or later must complete two non-academic professional development credits. Please note that these credits do not count toward the minimum credit requirement for your degree.
  • Read more about Professional Development Credits
• Regularly-Scheduled Courses:  A minimum 64 of the 87 credits must be earned in courses that require attendance in regularly scheduled classroom sessions or direct faculty instruction.
  • Regularly-scheduled law school courses include
    • Law School courses and seminars, including courses cross-listed at the Law School but originating in another school or department at the University.
    • Law School clinics
    • Regularly-scheduled courses completed at another ABA-accredited law school, including through the inter-institutional agreement with UNC and NCCU and transfer credits for students who completed the first year at another law school or who visited away at another law school.
    • Credits from an approved study abroad program.
  • Regularly-scheduled law school courses do NOT include
    • Independent study
    • Non-law courses
    • Externships
    • Research tutorials
    • Ad hoc seminars
    • Bass Connections

All students are responsible for monitoring their compliance with the graduation requirements.