Juris Doctor
Admission
Admission to the J.D. program is based on the following:
- applicant's academic record;
- applicant's Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score;
- applicant's professional accomplishments; and
- recommendations from persons with knowledge of the applicant’s capability to participate in a rigorous professional-level academic program.
The admissions process identifies individuals who have the potential to excel in their legal studies and the practice of law. In order to be considered for fall-term admission, an applicant must:
- possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment;
- create an account with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), register for and complete the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and sign up for the Credential Assembly Service;
- provide an official transcript to the LSAC for each undergraduate and graduate institution attended;
- submit two letters of recommendation or evaluations to the LSAC (up to four letters/evaluations will be accepted);
- submit an application fee (contact the Michigan State University College of Law Office of Admissions to request a fee waiver if you are unable, for financial reasons, to provide this fee;
- submit a resume of up to two pages;
- submit a personal statement of up to three pages;
- submit a supplemental statement if you respond in the affirmative to any questions in the Character and Fitness section of the application.
An applicant file will not be reviewed until all materials are received by the Michigan State University College of Law Office of Admissions and are reviewed on a “rolling” basis.Of the 88 credit hours needed to graduate with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, required courses consist of the following:
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1. |
All of the following courses: |
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LAW |
500F |
Criminal Law |
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3 |
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LAW |
500Q |
Professional Responsibility |
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3 |
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LAW |
500G |
Property |
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4 |
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LAW |
500R |
Torts I |
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4 |
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LAW |
530A |
Civil Procedure |
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4 |
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LAW |
530B |
Contracts |
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4 |
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LAW |
530J |
Advocacy |
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2 |
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LAW |
530K |
Foundations of Law |
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0 |
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LAW |
530S |
Constitutional Law and the Regulatory State |
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4 |
2. |
One of the following courses: |
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LAW |
530D |
Research, Writing and Analysis |
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3 |
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LAW |
530E |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Intellectual Property Perspective |
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3 |
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LAW |
530N |
Research, Writing, and Analysis: Criminal Law Perspective |
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3 |
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LAW |
530Q |
Research, Writing and Analysis: Social Justice Perspectives |
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3 |
3. |
At least five of the following courses: |
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LAW |
500M |
Business Enterprises |
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3 or 4 |
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LAW |
500N |
Constitutional Law II |
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4 |
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LAW |
500P |
Evidence |
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3 or 4 |
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LAW |
501A |
Basic Income Tax A |
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2 |
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LAW |
501B |
Basic Income Tax B |
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2 |
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LAW |
501K |
Basic Income Taxation |
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2 |
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LAW |
501D |
Trusts and Estates |
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3 to 4 |
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LAW |
501E |
Secured Transactions |
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2 |
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LAW |
501F |
Sales and Leases |
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3 |
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LAW |
501J |
Secured Transactions and Practice |
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3 |
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LAW |
501M |
Commercial Transactions Survey |
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3 |
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LAW |
525 |
Torts II |
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2 or 3 |
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LAW |
532 |
Administrative Law |
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2 or 3 |
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LAW |
550A |
Topics in Conflict of Laws |
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3 |
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LAW |
593D |
Remedies |
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2 to 3 |
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LAW |
616B |
Criminal Procedure: Investigation |
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3 |
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LAW |
616C |
Criminal Procedure: Adjudication |
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3 |
A student who completed the first-year curriculum with a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 may apply to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for a waiver of this requirement. The student must submit the application prior to completing 60 credits. In addition to the required courses, students must complete at least 6 credits in an experiential course and a paper that satisfies an upper-level writing requirement. A minimum 2.0 cumulative grade-point average must be earned to satisfy degree requirements.
Students take elective courses to gain a more generalized legal education, which may be used to fulfill the requirements for a certificate or concentration program. Complete information about concentrations can be found by visiting www.law.msu.edu. The following concentrations are available:
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Indigenous Law |
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(1) |
All of the following courses: |
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LAW |
635A |
Advanced Topics in Indian Law |
2 |
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LAW |
635B |
Federal Law and Indian Tribes |
3 |
(2) |
Six credits from the following: |
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LAW |
501D |
Trusts and Estates |
3 or 4 |
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LAW |
501E |
Secured Transactions |
2 |
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LAW |
532 |
Administrative Law |
3 |
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LAW |
541E |
Family Law I: Marriage and Divorce |
3 |
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LAW |
550A |
Topics in Conflict of Laws |
3 |
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LAW |
579G |
Federal Jurisdiction |
3 |
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LAW |
616B |
Criminal Procedure: Investigation |
3 |
(3) |
Complete an Experiential Learning experience. |
3 |
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Trial Practice |
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One of the following courses: |
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LAW |
616B |
Criminal Procedure: Investigation |
3 |
LAW |
616C |
Criminal Procedure: Adjudication |
3 |
All of the following courses: |
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LAW |
500P |
Evidence |
3 |
LAW |
623B |
Trial Practice Institute: Pretrial I |
3 |
LAW |
623C |
Trial Practice Institute : Pretrial II |
2 |
LAW |
623D |
Trial Practice Institute : Trial I |
3 |
LAW |
623E |
Trial Practice Institute : Trial II |
3 |
LAW |
623M |
Trial Practice Institute: Trial Presentation |
2 |
LAW |
623N |
Trial Practice Institute: Scientific Evidence and Legal Technology |
3 |
Students in the Trial Practice concentration may not receive credit towards the requirements of the Juris Doctor degree for the following courses: Law 587B, 587C, 590A, 591A, 617A, and 617B. The content of these courses are duplicate of the content of courses required for the Trial Practice concentration. |
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