Requirements for the J.D. Degree

To be eligible for the degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.), a student must meet the residency requirements of the School of Law by having: 

1. successfully completed 90 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0;

2. attended as a “full time” students (as defined below);

3. completed all required courses and academic requirements within five years of initial matriculation, unless a written extension of this period is granted by the Academic Standing Committee or the Dean;

4. completed the 40-hour pro bono requirement (as defined in this handbook).

"Full-time" study requires completion of 12 or more hours per fall or spring semester. A student may not enroll in more than 18 hours per fall or spring semester. A student may take less than 12 credits in his or her last semester if he or she obtains prior approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

When a student is out from school for any reason (for example, leave of absence, dismissal, visiting other schools), he or she will be obligated to meet the requirements in place at the time the student is readmitted to the Law School.

Degrees are ordinarily conferred upon students who meet the prescribed academic requirements. The Law School reserves the right, however, to withhold a degree whenever it appears that a student's character, conduct, or the quality of work completed will prevent acceptable representation of the school or compromise the standards of the legal profession.

St. Thomas University considers the graduation ceremony to be an academic event. Only students who have completed all requirements for graduation prior to the date of the ceremony, and those students who have registered for the summer session to complete 9 or fewer credits remaining toward graduation, will be allowed to participate.

Please note that requisites for graduation are subjected to change by the faculty. Students must meet the requisites for graduation in existence in the semester in which they would otherwise graduate.
 

Required Courses:

 *If student was in bottom 30% of his or her first year class.

Time for Completion of J.D. Degree

All J.D. students must complete all required courses and academic requirements within five years of initial matriculation, unless a written extension of this period is granted by the Academic Standing Committee or the Dean.  If any extension is granted, a record of such and the basis for such extension must be placed in the student’s file.