• Juris Doctor Program
  • Degree Requirements
  • Elective Courses
  • Course Descriptions
  • Required Courses
  • Concentrations & Specializations
  • JD Certificate Programs
  • Joint Degree Programs
• LLM & JSD Programs
• Experiential Learning
• International Study
• Summer School
• Flexible Programs & Schedules
• Online Catalog

Juris Doctor Program

Pacific McGeorge offers programs leading to the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree through a full-time Day Division and a part-time Evening Division. The two Divisions have essentially the same curriculum, faculty, and methods of instruction; maintain the same scholastic standards and degree requirements; and adhere to the same objectives.

The law school operates on the semester system; two semesters of 15 weeks each plus examination periods constitute an academic year. All year-long required courses begin in the Fall Semester which starts in mid-August. The Spring Semester begins in January. Summer Sessions are also offered beginning in May.

            The course of study in the Day Division leading to the J.D. degree requires three academic years (six semesters) of full-time study in residence. A Day Division student must enroll and earn credit for a minimum of 12 units each semester; the usual courseload is 14 to 16 units per semester. Full-time students are expected to devote substantially all their working time to the study of law and to limit outside employment to not more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.

The Evening Division program offers a reduced courseload which requires four academic years (eight semesters) of part-time study in residence to meet J.D. degree requirements. Courseloads usually range from 8 to 10 units with a minimum of 8 units required each semester. Most Evening Division students also enroll for Summer Session courses. An accelerated Evening Division program enables a student to meet degree requirements in three and one-half years (seven academic semesters and Summer Sessions).

            Required courses must be taken with the Division in which a student is enrolled unless an exception is approved by an academic dean. Elective courses may be taken during day or evening hours, as individual schedules permit. Students who wish to change their programs of study from one Division to another should schedule an appointment with an academic dean regarding approval, course of study, and satisfying residency requirements.