Juris Doctor (JD)

Overview

The Juris Doctor degree at Miami Law is a full-time program combining a rigorous academic curriculum with professional training in critical lawyering skills. The 88-credit degree program is a full-time program requiring three academic years of study.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to University of Miami School of Law, an applicant must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrolling at the School of Law. The Law School admits first-year J.D. students to commence studies only in the fall semester and reviews applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications are reviewed as soon as all required documents are received.

Curriculum Requirements*

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No single course may satisfy more than one of the three graduation requirements (skills, writing and professional responsibility).

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Some designated courses and clinics may satisfy EITHER the skills or the writing requirement.

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Externships Cap: Only 9 externship credits may be counted towards the minimum 88 credits required for graduation.

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There are a number of ways to meet the substantial writing course requirement, including through enrolling in designated courses and seminars, and through faculty supervised independent writing credit.

JD Curriculum Requirements for Dual/Joint Degree Programs

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No single course may satisfy more than one of the three graduation requirements (skills, writing and professional responsibility).

*

Some designated courses and clinics may satisfy EITHER the skills or the writing requirement.

*

Externships Cap: Only 9 externship credits may be counted towards the minimum 88 credits required for graduation.

*

There are a number of ways to meet the substantial writing course requirement, including through enrolling in designated courses and seminars, and through faculty supervised independent writing credit.

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The number of elective credits will vary depending on other course selections and the number of electives counted from the other dual/joint degree program to meet the minimum of 88 total credit hours is required for the JD.

²

The number of additional electives counted toward fulfillment of the dual/joint degree (double-counted toward each program) will vary for each dual/joint degree program. Refer to the Bulletin page for each dual/joint degree program for information on the specific number of electives that will count toward both programs.

Sample Plan of Study

Mission

The University of Miami School of Law J.D. program offers graduate training culminating in a Juris Doctor in Law. It is the mission of the School of Law is to use legal training and knowledge to produce lawyer-citizens who understand the perpetually dynamic nature of modern legal practice, and who exercise democratic values, problem-solving skills, and leadership capabilities in whatever positions they assume.

In fulfilling this mission, members of the School of Law are committed to community engagement, intellectual rigor, student development, diversity, and innovation.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate advanced proficiency in high-level legal reasoning, fact analysis, and critical thinking.
2. Students will demonstrate advanced proficiency in written and oral communications as it relates to the discipline.
3. Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of the ethical responsibilities of a lawyer, and demonstrate advanced proficiency in analyzing and applying the rules of professional responsibility.