Juris Doctor Admissions Requirements

Non-Discrimination Policy

NCU does not permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, ancestry, national origin, religious creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, color, physical or mental disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or medical condition, under any program or activity under its control. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the University actively encourages applications from members of all groups that are under-represented in higher education.

Admissions

Several times a year, the School of Law hosts Information Seminars and Open Houses for people who are considering going to law school. Topics covered include the demands of our academic program, admission requirements and procedures, and the specific features of our program. The dean, faculty, and staff host these events with a panel that often includes students and graduates who talk about their law school experiences. Please visit the University’s website at www.ncu.edu for the date of the next event.

Applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadlines to take advantage of a rolling admissions policy. As part of the commitment to make law school a feasible reality, admissions decisions for qualified students are made on an ongoing basis to give students as much time as possible before starting the program. All applications must be on file by the deadline in order to ensure a timely admissions decision. This includes the completed application form, personal statement, transcripts, and any other supporting documentation. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores are requested by the School of Law from the Law School Admission Council.

Transcripts and other documents may also be accepted through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). In rare cases, LSAT scores and transcripts may be accepted after the deadline.

Application Information

Applications to the School of Law’s Juris Doctor degree program (JD program) are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The selection of applicants for admission to the JD program is based upon a combination of factors including, but not limited to, academic record, LSAT score, maturity, work experience, professional promise, personal statement, writing ability, special interests, and non-academic accomplishments. Admission decisions are made independent of the need for financial aid. All applicants must acknowledge that they have read and will abide by the policies outlined in the University’s Enrollment Agreement.

Applicants for Admission

To be eligible for admission to the JD program, all applicants (regardless of the category of admission they fall under with the exception of “Special Status”) must have a completed application including official transcripts and personal statement and (1) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; or (2) an associate of arts or science degree from an accredited university; or (3) a minimum of 60 undergraduate college-level credits completed with a “C” or better.

It is not required, but it is recommended that potential students also submit a Resume and/or Letters of Recommendation and an official LSAT score.

All letters of acceptance to the JD program by the Admissions Committee are conditional upon 1) review of official transcripts by the Office of the Registrar and 2) acceptance of sufficient undergraduate credits to satisfy this requirement.

Applicants for Standard Admission

To be considered for standard admission to the Juris Doctor program, applicants must have (1) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; or (2) an associate of arts or science degree from an accredited university; or (3) a minimum of 60 undergraduate college-level credits completed with a “C” or better, and a completed application including official transcripts and a personal statement. It is also recommended that applicants have an official LSAT score.

All letters of acceptance to the JD program by the Admissions Committee are conditional upon 1) review of official transcripts by the Registrar’s office and 2) acceptance of sufficient undergraduate credits to satisfy this requirement.

Applicants for Admission with Special Status

Applicants who do not meet the above education criteria for admission with regular status may be considered for admission with special status. A special status student is one who, through life, work, and experience, has demonstrated a level of accomplishment and maturity required to succeed in law school.

In addition to a completed application, including official transcripts, personal statement, and an official LSAT score, special status applicants must also (1) submit at least two letters of recommendation attesting to their apparent ability to study law and (2) achieve an LSAT score at or above the 50th percentile. After completion of the first year of law study, special status students must take and pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination administered by The Committee of Bar Examiners.

Applicants for Admission with Advanced Standing

Applicants who have previously attended law school may apply for admission with advanced standing. Such applicants must fulfill the same application requirements as beginning students, stated above, and demonstrate that they are in good standing at the law school last attended through submission of an official letter from the school’s dean or registrar and an official transcript. Applicants with prior law school experience at an unaccredited school will be considered for admission with advanced standing only if they have passed the First-Year Law Students’ Examination.

The Admissions Committee will determine the amount of allowable transfer credit. Only academic courses completed within the previous 27 months and in which a good-standing level grade was attained will be considered for transfer credit.

Applicants Previously Dismissed from Law School

An applicant who is not in good standing at their prior law school for any reason must demonstrate that they possess the requisite ability to succeed at the study of law and that the prior academic disqualification was caused by extraordinary circumstances not likely to reoccur. The applicant must present credible evidence that the disqualification was not caused by the applicant’s lack of capability to satisfactorily study law but resulted from a traumatic event or serious hardship that prohibited the applicant from performing at their normal level. If more than two years have elapsed since disqualification, an enhanced potential to succeed in the study of law must be demonstrated. Transfer credit will only be considered if the student was advanced to the second year at the prior law school, subject to the same restrictions stated in the above section for applicants with advanced standing. 

Any applicant who was previously disqualified from another law school must submit an official LSAT score with their application to be considered.

Applicants for Non-Degree

The following individuals may apply as non-degree students:

1. students currently in good standing at other accredited law schools,
2. graduates of accredited law schools, and
3. licensed attorneys. Some required and elective courses may be audited with the permission of the dean. Writing courses, Appellate Advocacy, Trial Advocacy, and some other courses may not be taken as non-degree.

Applicants for admission as non-degree students must submit the application and a letter or e-mail to the dean indicating the course(s) the applicant wishes to take and the applicant’s qualifications for understanding the coursework and contributing to classroom discussion. Non-degree applicants may be required to submit additional documents to establish eligibility for admission. Non-degree applicants who are attending law school elsewhere must also submit a letter from the dean or registrar of their current law school verifying enrollment and good academic standing, stating which course(s) the applicant has the approval to take, and confirming that the current school will award credit if the student passes the course(s). Admission on such basis is at the discretion of the dean.

Documents may be required to establish eligibility to enroll.

International Applicants

The John F. Kennedy School of Law at Northcentral University admits international students who meet the requirements set by the University, The Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The School of Law requires the following documents before such an admission decision will be made: enrollment application, Certification of Finances, official TOEFL report with a score of 80+, an in-depth autobiography, and official transcripts sent directly from all institutions previously attended. Certified translated copies of transcripts are required if the original transcripts are not in English.

The Committee of Bar

In addition, the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California requires an evaluation of prior academic work by an approved credential evaluation service.

The USCIS requires that international students seeking F-1 non-immigrant status must show proof of adequate funds to meet the expenses of studying and living in the United States.

The Certification of Finances form is available from the Office of International Education.

The applicant may be requested to schedule an interview with a faculty member once all required documentation has been submitted.

Incomplete Application Files

Incomplete application files are held for one year from the term of application. Applicants who did not complete the application process within one year of the term of the original application must reapply.

Address for Submission of Transcripts

Transcripts should be sent to the Office of the Registrar electronically for processing at transcript@ncu.edu.

Technical Requirements

The minimum technology requirements for the JD program are outlined below. In addition, students must also be able to navigate the internet. Students are responsible to check NCUOne and their University-issued student email accounts on a regular basis, including electronic communications sent via email and/or the NCUOne LMS messaging system, and to advise the University of any related problems.

Recommended hardware requirements:

• Intel P4 (minimum of 2 Ghz) or faster processor
• Minimum 2GB or greater is recommended
• Minimum 40 GB of free hard disk space, 50 GB or greater is recommended
• Minimum of 56 Kbps or faster modem, Broadband (high-speed at 144 Kbps or faster), DSL, Cable or better is recommended
• Color monitor, keyboard, mouse and access to a printer
• Web Camera, headset, and speakers (for required synchronous activities in LMS and proctored exams)

Recommended software applications for PC systems:

• Minimum of Microsoft Windows 10 is recommended
• Minimum of Microsoft Office 2010 or above is recommended
• IE 8, Firefox 3.6 or Safari 4.0
• Adobe Reader 10 or latest version and Adobe Flash Player 30
• High-quality antivirus software

Recommended software applications for MAC systems:

• MAC OS X is recommended 
• Microsoft Office 2011 for MAC or above
• Firefox 3.6 or Safari 4.0
• Adobe Reader 10 or latest version and Adobe Flash Player 30
• High-quality antivirus software

Transfer Credit

Students may be eligible to transfer a maximum of 54 credits completed at an ABA-accredited or California State Bar-accredited law school, and for courses in which the student received a grade of C or better or the equivalent. Students who are transferring to the School of Law may not receive transfer credit for numerically graded, required courses if the credits from the administering institution are not equivalent to the number of credits required for completion of the JD degree program. Further, if the student takes a required course for credit greater than that required by the School of Law, the student will receive transfer credit only for the number of units required by the School of Law (e.g., Trial Advocacy is a three-unit course at the School of Law; thus, a student may receive only three units of transfer credit, even if the Appellate Advocacy course taken at the other institution is worth more than three units). Students may not apply the excess unit(s) to any other coursework, required or elective.

The Academic Standards Committee makes determinations about what credits will be accepted for transfer. 

Grades earned in coursework taken at another institution will not be calculated in the student’s School of Law cumulative grade point average.

When applying for the California Bar Examination, students should be aware that The Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California may require them to send official transcripts from all law schools attended. Therefore, official transcripts sent directly from any other law school might be necessary even though NCU accepted the units for transfer.

Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at Our Institution

The transferability of credits you earn at Northcentral University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree, diploma, or certificate you earn in your educational program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits or degree, diploma, or certificate that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason, you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Northcentral University to determine if your credits or degree, diploma, or certificate will transfer.

Student’s Right to Cancel

Students have the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement and obtain a full refund of charges through attendance in Week 2 (day 14 of the first semester). Applicants who wish to cancel an enrollment agreement must contact their Academic and Finance Advisor before attending Week 3 (day 15 or beyond) of your first semester. Cancellation or Withdrawal will be effective on the date that the notice is received.

The University reserves the right to cancel or terminate the agreement if the applicant does not attend their first semester, meet basic academic requirements during provisional admissions periods, violate the Student Code of Conduct, fail to make satisfactory academic progress, fail to make payment in accordance with the terms of the student finance agreement, and/or fail to meet attendance requirements as outlined in this Catalog.

If students obtain loan(s) to pay for their educational program, they have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund that is owed under the refund policy.

Cancellation of Admission

Admission is canceled if the admitted applicant does not start courses within one-year of acceptance to the university. Applicants must re-apply after one year.

Readmission