If going to law school full time is not for you because of your job or other obligations, SLU LAW provides the opportunity to earn a J.D. degree on a part-time basis.
The application process for the part-time program is the same as the process for the full-time program; just mark where designated on the application that you are applying for the part-time program.
Requirements
The part-time J.D. requirements are the same as the full-time J.D. requirements; students are just completing the credit hours spread out over more time.
- Part-time students must complete 91 credit hours, including 30 hours of first-year core curriculum, four upper-division course requirements, and elective credits.
- Part-time students must take between 8.5 (minimum) and 11.5 (maximum) credits each fall and spring semester; a student taking 12 credits or more will be considered a full-time student.
- Part-time students must complete 91 credits in 5 years or less. Students who take summer classes typically receive their J.D. in 4 years.
Classes in the part-time evening program are scheduled Monday through Thursday between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., with an occasional elective scheduled to start as early as 4 p.m., or on Saturdays. After the first year, students may elect to take some courses during the day, subject to seat availability.
Students in the part-time program complete their required first-year core curriculum in two years by taking courses scheduled in the evening as follows*:
Year One Fall (9.5 hours)
- Contracts I (2 hours)
- Torts (4 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies I (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing I (3 hours)
Year One Spring (9.5 hours)
- Contracts II (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies II (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing II (3 hours)
Year Two Fall (up to 11 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure I (2 hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Electives (up to 6 hours)
Year Two Spring (up to 11 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Property (4 hours)
- Electives (up to 4 hours)
Remaining Upper-Division Required Courses
Upper-division required courses must be taken in the second, third or fourth year
and include all of the following:
- Legal Profession (Professional Ethics)
- Perspectives on Law Course/Seminar
- Experiential Courses
- Seminar
*Course sequencing is determined based on matriculating year. This sample schedule indicates course sequencing for students matriculating during odd academic years (i.e., fall 2019 - spring 2020). Part-time students both in their first and second year will be in some of the same classes.
Year One Fall (11.5 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure I (2 hours)
- Contracts I (3 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies I (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing I (3 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
Year One Spring (11.5 credit hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Contracts II (2 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies II (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing II (3 hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
鈥�Year Two Fall
- Torts (4 hours)
- Electives (up to 7 hours)
Year Two Spring
- Property (4 hours)
- Legal Profession (3 hours)
- Electives (up to 4 hours)
Remaining Upper-Division Required Courses
- Legal Profession (Professional Ethics)
- Perspectives on Law Course/Seminar
- Experiential Courses
- Seminar
Please Note: Students taking the 8.5-hour track must take summer classes and semesters with more than 8 credits after the first full year in order to complete the 91 credits in 5 years.
Year One Fall (8.5 hours)
- Civil Procedure I (2 hours)
- Contracts I (3 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies I (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing I (3 hours)
Year One Spring (8.5 hours)
- Civil Procedure II (3 hours)
- Contracts II (2 hours)
- Introduction to Legal Studies II (.5 hours)
- Legal Research and Writing II (3 hours)
Year Two Fall
- Torts (4 hours)
- Criminal Law (3 hours)
- Electives (up to 4 hours)
Year Two Spring
- Property (4 hours)
- Constitutional Law I (3 hours)
- Electives (up to 4 hours)
Remaining Upper-Division Required Courses
- Legal Profession (Professional Ethics)
- Perspectives on Law Course/Seminar
- Experiential Courses
- Seminar