Juris Doctor, Full-Time

Description of Program

The JFK School of Law at National University seeks to graduate well-rounded attorneys who are prepared to pass the California Bar Examination and to practice law competently and ethically. The law school curriculum and support activities are designed to produce qualified and compassionate attorneys who have a commitment to the highest quality of representation for their clients. 

Courses include all of the subjects tested on the California Bar Examination and a variety of electives and practical skills-training classes for today’s practice of law. 

Admission Requirements

For information on Admissions Requirements please see the 

Degree Requirements

The University awards the Juris Doctor degree to students who fulfill the following requirements: Successful completion of 82 units of study in accordance with the prescribed curriculum

• Successful completion of all required courses
• The maximum amount of credit for internships and independent studies allowed in the 82 credit-hour JD program is 8 credit hours.  
• Completion of at least 50 credit-hours of the degree requirements through enrollment in courses at the JFK School of Law at National University
• Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.4 (if the student entered in Fall 2022 or later) or 2.0 (if the student entered prior to Fall 2022) or higher and fulfillment of all conditions imposed by the Academic Standards Committee
• Completion of degree requirements in no more than 16 academic terms, including summer sessions, unless an extension is otherwise approved by the Academic Standards Committee
• Submission of diploma application when credit complete and academic program requirements have been met
• Satisfaction of all financial obligations to the University
• No Incompletes on the transcript; 
• Are not on academic probation

California State Bar Requirements

Registration as a Law Student 

Rule V, Section 1 of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California states that all law students must register with the State Bar no later than 90 days after beginning their law studies. Registration is a prerequisite to taking the California Bar Examination. Forms are available from the State Bar website at www.admissions.calbar.ca.gov. Each student is responsible for obtaining the form and submitting it to the State Bar by the deadline. 

First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSX): Special Status Students

In accordance with state law and rules of The Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, ”special” status students are those admitted with less than 60 qualifying semester units of undergraduate work. A student admitted with special status is required to take and pass the First-Year Law Students’ Examination after completion of the first year of study (after completion of Torts, Contracts, and Criminal Law) to be eligible to advance into their second year of law school. Special Status students who do not pass the FYLSX following their first year of study will be academically disqualified from the JFK School of Law at National University and are unable to progress to the second year of law school.

Applications for the FYLSX are accepted only through the online application process available at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions.

A Special Status student who passes the FYLSX on their second or subsequent effort may apply for readmission to the JFK School of Law at National University. If the student is readmitted, they may receive credit only for the first-year courses successfully completed. 

Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE)

In addition to passing the Bar Exam and obtaining a favorable Determination of Moral Character, all persons applying for a license to practice law in California must also take and pass the MPRE, which is given by the National Conference of Bar Examiners multiple times a year. Information about and registration for the MPRE can be found at https://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre.

California Bar Examination 

Two separate application forms are required in conjunction with the Bar Examination: (1) Application to take the California Bar Examination and (2) Application for Determination of Moral Character. Applications are accepted only through the online application process available at www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions. 

The student is responsible for submitting the application to the State Bar by the established deadlines.

State Bar of California Rules 

The State Bar of California rules also mandate attendance policies and other areas of enrollment and academic progress. The rules are available through The Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415.538.2303, or at www.calbar.ca.gov.

Residency Requirements

Students are responsible for complying with the residency requirement of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law in California. These rules establish the minimum number of units and weeks in residence of law school study necessary for eligibility to take the California Bar Examination. 

In addition to satisfying the residency requirement set by The Committee of Bar Examiners for eligibility to sit for the California Bar Examination, students admitted to the JFK School of Law at National University are required to complete a minimum of 25 credit hours of the degree requirements in residence at the University.

Students who move from part-time to full-time, or the reverse, need to ensure that their schedules of classes will satisfy this residency requirement.

Internship Requirement

Required Public Interest Internship

All JFK School of Law at National University students are required to complete 60 hours (one unit) of pre-approved legal internship work. Satisfactory completion of this work in a public interest placement or clinic will also satisfy the Juris Doctor Service Learning Program requirement.

Elective Internships

In addition to the one credit required Public Interest internship, students are encouraged to participate in internship opportunities in off-campus placements, including non-profits, government offices, and private firms as elective credits toward graduation. The internships are supervised by attorneys. 

Students work one-on-one with the attorney, assisting them and gaining valuable expertise in a given field. Students are required to complete a minimum of one unit in a public interest internship or clinical program. No more than eight units of off-campus internship (including the required public interest internship) can be applied to the degree.

Internship Program and Clinic Requirements

Students placed in an internship allowing for Certified Student status may also complete The State Bar of California’s application for such certification. The application is available by download at www.admissions.calbar.ca.gov. Please be sure to carefully read the materials included with the application packet, including the Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students. Note that, at a minimum, Certified Student status requires: 

• Good academic standing
• Completion of one full year of at least 270 classroom hours of law study, in good academic standing, at an accredited law school
• Current enrollment in or completion of Civil Procedure and Skills and Evidence; and 
• Supervision by a presently active member of The State Bar of California who has been admitted and is in good standing for at least five years when supervision commences

The JFK School of Law at National University may impose, at its election and with or without notice, such additional eligibility requirements as are reasonable under the circumstances or as required by The State Bar of California. 

BarBri Bar Review Program

The JFK School of Law at National University has teamed with BarBri, one of the nation’s preeminent bar examination companies, to offer its students a uniquely customized bar study program. Beginning in their first year of law school, all registered law students receive a full California Bar Examination study program included with their tuition and university fees. 

First and second-year law students are offered customized study aids and tools to assist them in their law school courses. Students in their final year of law school will take 2 early bar examination preparation courses – Extended Bar Review A and B. Upon completion of both courses, students are seamlessly transitioned into the full two-month BarBri Intensive Bar Review Program. Upon completion of the Early Start Paced Program, students are seamlessly transitioned into the full two-month BarBri Intensive Bar Review

These are completely customized and unique bar study programs designed to increase the overall success rate of JFK School of Law at National University students on the California Bar Examination.

Spring Admission Program

The JFK School of Law at National University recognizes that some applicants are ready to begin their law studies well before the traditional Fall Semester admission period. For such applicants, we have created our Mid-Year Admissions Program designed to get them started with their studies in the Spring Semester. Once their initial Spring and Summer sessions are complete, students in the Mid-Year Admissions Program join other first-year students entering the following Fall Semester and continue their studies as one cohort with minor adjustments.

Curriculum

The JFK School of Law at National University offers both full-time and part-time programs.

The three and four-year curriculum plans for the Juris Doctor degree consist of a carefully sequenced schedule of 82 units. 

Students may be required, or wish, to change their status in the JD program. A student is allowed one change in status during the JD program. For example, if you are a full-time student and change to part-time, you cannot return, at a later date, to full-time status. Please also note changing your status may affect your graduation date.

Please refer to your Academic and Finance Counselor for additional policies regarding curriculum planning and matriculation requirements.

Deviations from Standard Curriculum

Any student who deviates from the standard curriculum, whether with or without approval, cannot be guaranteed a specific graduation date, nor can s/he be assured of compliance with the residency requirement of The Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California for eligibility to take the California Bar Examination. Deviation from the standard curriculum without prior written permission from the Dean’s office may result in administrative withdrawal from non-conforming courses.