Degree Program Requirements

JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.)

Candidates for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree must successfully complete all required courses, meet minimum academic requirements, earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters, satisfy the Writing Requirement, and maintain a standard of behavior characteristic of a prospective member of the legal profession. For more degree requirements, see Academic Policies

FOR INFORMATION ON APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM: Contact Admissions at (434) 924-7351 or lawadmit@virginia.edu

MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.)

Candidates for the Master of Laws degree must possess the J.D. or its equivalent and satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 credit hours, including a substantial written work, over two semesters in residence. Graduate Studies Admissions

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the program coordinator at (434) 924-3154 or gradadmitlaw@virginia.edu.

DOCTOR OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE (S.J.D.)

To earn the Doctor of Juridical Science, the Law School's most advanced research degree, students must demonstrate superior intellectual ability in a program approved by the graduate committee. The program requires at least two semesters of residence, and must include a minimum of six hours of courses or seminars, the satisfactory completion of an oral examination and a dissertation that is an original contribution to the literature of the law. Most S.J.D. candidates already hold the LL.M. degree. Graduate Studies Admissions

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the program coordinator at (434) 924-3154 or gradadmitlaw@virginia.edu.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) I Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Doctor of Judicial Science (S.J.D.) I Dual-Degree Programs
External Dual-Degree Programs