Juris Doctor - Full-Time Day Program
Our three-year curriculum in residence is designed for students who can devote full-time effort to the study of law.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted from Sept. 1 - April 1 for priority consideration for all J.D. programs, including part-time. Learn about the application process and apply online via LSAC.org.
Scholarships for Full-Time Day Students
All accepted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships awarded by the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Incoming student scholarships are renewed annually, provided the student remains in good standing. The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University does not offer conditional scholarships.
No separate applications are required. Read more about scholarships.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Competitive tuition rates and generous financial aid make the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University affordable. And a number of employers offer tuition reimbursement that can be applied to law school tuition.
Students work directly with Duquesne University's Office of Financial Aid to apply for federally funded or institutional aid such as Stafford Loans, GradPLUS Loans, and private educational loans. Interested students should submit a FAFSA before May 31. Applicants to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University DO NOT have to complete the Duquesne Financial Aid Application. Learn more about applying for aid as a graduate student.
Curriculum
First Year Day Required Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Civil Procedure and Drafting I (fall) | 3 |
| Civil Procedure II (spring) | 2 |
| Contracts I and II (fall and spring) | 6 |
| Criminal Law (spring) | 3 |
| Legal Research and Writing I and II (fall and spring) | 5 |
| Legal Skills (fall- optional) | 1 |
| Property I and II (fall and spring) | 6 |
| Advanced Legal Skills (spring- required for bottom 25% following fall semester) | 1 |
| Torts I and II (fall and spring) | 5 |
Second Year Day Required Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Legal Reasoning (fall- required for bottom 25% of class following 1st year) | 2 |
| Constitutional Law I and II (fall and spring) | 5 |
| Business Associations (fall OR spring) | 3 |
| Criminal Procedure: The Police Function (fall OR spring) | 2 or 3 |
| Evidence (fall OR spring) | 3 |
| Professional Responsibility (may be taken in the second or third year- fall or spring) | 3 |
*Strongly Recommended courses for Second-Year Day students: Conflict of Laws- 2 credits,
Estates and Trusts- 3 credits, Family Law- 3 credits, Secured Transactions- 1 or 3
credits
Third Year Day Required Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core/Applied Competencies I and II ( fall and spring- required for bottom 1/3 following first year) | 6 |
| Professional Responsibility (may be taken in the second or third year- fall or spring) | 3 |
| Sales (fall or spring) | 2 |
*Strongly Recommended courses for Third-Year Day students: Conflict of Laws- 2 credits,
Estates and Trusts- 3 credits, Family Law- 3 credits, Secured Transactions- 1 or 3
credits
Course Descriptions may be found on the Law School Registrar's Curriculum page.
Courses shown are required. Students are advised that the graduation requirement for all divisions is 87 credits total.
All matriculating students are required to satisfy an Upper Level Writing requirement and 6 credits of Experiential Learning.
Because Duquesne periodically reviews and revises its curriculum, course offerings and credit hours are subject to change at any time.