JD Program

The Juris Doctor is a three-year professional degree required for taking the bar exam and practicing law in the United States.

Willamette's JD Program, accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), is a robust and challenging program. We enroll a small first-year law class with a wide range of career goals and backgrounds distinguished by academic achievements. We are sensitive to students' need to balance work, life, and school, so we offer the program on a part-time and full-time basis.

Students seeking a JD are required to complete at least 90 hours of credit, 70 of which must be in letter-graded classes. Full-time attendance is six semesters completed in three academic years. Students must maintain a minimum of 10 hours of credit each semester.

Part-time students must enroll in a minimum of 8 credits per semester, up to a maximum of 12 credits per semester, and must complete all degree requirements for graduation within six years following enrollment.

All students also must complete a writing requirement during the second and third years and maintain a 2.30 grade point average (GPA).

Recipients of Willamette University College of Law scholarships must maintain a 2.90 GPA to renew their annual scholarships.

Application Requirements

All JD candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Part-time students must meet the same application requirements and deadlines as full-time students.

Learn how to apply


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