Day & Evening Divisions
Juris Doctor Day and Evening Divisions
The Day Division of Suffolk University Law School comprises approximately 1,000 students. Day Program students are able to substantially devote all their time to the study of law. This program requires the traditional three years (six semesters) to complete.
The Evening Division is designed for students who want to pursue a legal education on a part-time basis. It can be completed in four years (eight semesters) of part-time study. Evening Division students are awarded the same degree as that earned by Day Division students. First year Evening Division students usually attend classes three evenings a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Day and Evening Division applicants are only accepted into the regular degree-seeking program. Applicants may not audit courses or apply for a conditional acceptance. A total of 84 semester hours is required to earn the JD degree.
As a candidate for admission you must choose to apply to either the Day or the Evening Division. Students who have completed the first academic year in the Law School, and who are in good academic standing, are eligible to transfer internally to either the Day or the Evening division.
Program of Legal Study
Program of Study Juris Doctor (JD)
The study of law requires an ability to analyze and organize complicated fact situations. The law faculty assist students in learning how to approach a complicated fact pattern either through the study of adjudicated cases or the use of carefully constructed problems. Students are challenged by the questions and comments of the professor and their fellow students as they work with cases or problems. From time to time the professor may clarify or lecture on some points of fact or law, but the ultimate responsibility for developing the skills of legal analysis rests on the student.
It is the student’s role to prepare the course assignments carefully, to utilize the resources available in the law libraries, to attend class and be prepared to actively discuss the assigned materials. In class, students must analyze the presentation of their classmates, compare the work of others to their own, and be prepared to respond intelligently to the questions asked by the professor. Thus, students’ roles are active ones, and the value of their legal education will depend in large measure on the enthusiasm, dedication and responsibility with which they approach their work.
-
For Evening Students
EVENING DIVISION REQUIREMENTS
Students who cannot devote a substantial portion of time to the study of law may apply for enrollment in the Evening Division and complete the work for the Juris Doctor degree in four years (eight semesters).
Semester Hour Requirements
The academic year consists of two semesters: the first, or fall, semester commencing in August, and the second, or spring, semester commencing in January. The Evening Division requires eight semesters of class work. A total of 84 semester hours is required to receive the Juris Doctor degree.
Class Hours
Classes in the Evening Division are usually conducted on weeknights between 6 and 10 pm.
Evening Division Requirements
| |
Required Curriculum |
1st
Sem.
Hours
|
2nd
Sem.
Hours
|
|
First-Year
|
Contracts 1 |
2 |
3 |
| |
Torts |
0 |
4 |
| |
Civil Procedure 1 |
2 |
2 |
| |
Criminal Law |
4 |
0 |
| |
Legal Practice Skills |
3 |
2 |
| |
Total |
11 |
11 |
| |
|
|
|
| Second-Year |
Property |
2 |
2 |
| |
Constitutional Law |
2 |
2 |
| |
Professional Responsiblity 3 |
|
|
| |
Base Menu/Electives 4,5,6,7,8 |
4-7 |
5-8 |
| |
Total |
9-12 |
9-12 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third-Year |
Base Menu 4 |
|
|
| |
Electives 5,6,7,8 |
|
|
| |
Total |
9-12 |
9-12 |
| |
|
|
|
| Fourth-Year |
Base Menu 4 |
|
|
| |
Electives 5,6,7,8 |
|
|
| |
Total |
9-12 |
9-12 |
Notes:
- Courses will have final exams in both the Fall and Spring semesters. See Rules and Regulations, Section III, Grades and Examinations.
- Evening students may not enroll in fewer than 9 credits nor more than 12 credits in a semester, and may not enroll in fewer than 21 credits nor more than 24 credits in the academic year. Note: No more than 12 credits from clinical programs may be counted toward the degree.
- Professional Responsibility is a required course. It must be taken by Day Division and Evening Division students any time after the first year.
- Students are required to take at least three out of five Base Menu Subjects.
- Including required courses and the Base Menu requirement, students must complete a minimum of 84 credits in order to receive the Juris Doctor degree.
- Students must complete the Legal Writing Requirement. (See Rules and Regulations Section II H)
- Students must satisfy the Skills Menu Requirement; recommended to take courses from the Perspectives Menu.
- Students must complete 6 Experiential Learning credits.
-
For Day Students
DAY DIVISION REQUIREMENTS
The Day Division course of study consists of three academic years of full-time study. Under the regulations of the Law School, Standards of the American Bar Association, and the Rules of the Board of Bar Examiners of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, only those students who can devote substantially all of their working time to the study of law are eligible to enroll in the full-time Day Division and to complete their law study in three years.
Semester Hour Requirements
The academic year consists of two semesters: the first, or fall, semester commencing in September, and the second, or spring, semester commencing in January. The Day Division requires six semesters of class work. A total of 84 semester hours is required to receive the Juris Doctor degree.
Day Division Requirements
| |
Required Curriculum |
1st
Sem.
Hours
|
2nd
Sem.
Hours
|
| First-Year |
Contracts 1 |
2 |
3 |
| |
Torts |
0 |
4 |
| |
Property 1 |
2 |
2 |
| |
Civil Procedure |
4 |
0 |
| |
Criminal Law |
4 |
0 |
| |
Constitutional Law 9 |
0 |
4 |
| |
Legal Practice Skills |
3 |
2 |
| |
Total |
15 |
15 |
| |
|
|
|
| Second-Year |
Professional Responsibility 3 |
|
|
| |
Base Menu 4 |
|
|
| |
Electives 5,6,7,8 |
|
|
| |
Total |
12-16 |
12-16 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third-Year |
Base Menu 4 |
|
|
| |
Electives 5,6,7,8 |
|
|
| |
Total |
12-16 |
12-16 |
Notes:
- Courses will have final exams in both the Fall and Spring semesters. See Rules and Regulations, Section Grades and Examinations.
- Second- and third-year students may not enroll in fewer than 12 credits nor more than 16 credits in a semester, and may not enroll in fewer than 27 credits nor more than 30 credits in the academic year. NOTE: No more than 12 credits from clinical programs/externships may be counted toward the degree.
- Professional Responsibility is a required course. It must be taken by Day Division and Evening Division students any time after the first year.
- Students are required to take at least three out of five Base Menu Subjects.
- Including required courses and the Base Menu requirement, students must complete a minimum of 84 credits in order to receive the Juris Doctor degree.
- Students must complete the Legal Writing Requirement. (See Rules and Regulations Section II H).
- Students must satisfy the Skills Menu Requirement; recommended to take courses from the Perspectives Menu.
- Students must complete 6 Experiential Learning credits.
- Day students who have received conditional admission to the dual degree J.D./Tax LL.M. program may defer taking Constitutional Law until the second semester of their second year in order to take Basic Federal Income Tax in the second semester of the first year.
Learning Outcomes
Suffolk University Law School Learning Outcomes
Adopted by the Suffolk University Law School Faculty in April 2017
These learning outcomes identify the desired knowledge, skills, and values Suffolk University Law School believes its students should master upon their successful graduation.
A. In accordance with ABA Standard 302(A), the successful Suffolk graduate should know and understand substantive and procedural law. Specifically, graduates should:
- Learn the fundamental principles of Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Professional Responsibility, Property, and Torts.
- Comprehend substantive and procedural law through elective coursework appropriate to the professional and intellectual interests of each student.
B. In accordance with ABA Standard 302(B), the successful Suffolk graduate should be able to perform legal analysis and legal research, solve problems, and communicate effectively in the legal context. Specifically, graduates should demonstrate the ability to:
- Analyze legal issues orally and in writing by critically reading legal authority, synthesizing rules, evaluating facts, applying law to facts, and solving problems.
- Conduct accurate, thorough, and efficient legal research.
- Communicate in a concise, organized, professional, and timely manner appropriate to the audience and circumstances.
C. In accordance with ABA Standard 302(C), the successful Suffolk graduate should understand and exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system. Specifically, graduates should demonstrate the ability to:
- Identify ethical issues and resolve them in a manner consistent with the law and rules governing lawyers.
- Maintain practice competencies through knowledge of relevant law, development of applicable skills, and understanding current practice technologies.
- Understand and apply a lawyer’s ethical duties to clients, including those associated with client centered representation in a world of diverse clients.
- Fulfill the public responsibilities of lawyers.
D. In accordance with ABA Standard 302(D), the successful Suffolk graduate should demonstrate other professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession. Specifically, graduates should demonstrate the ability to:
- Develop and analyze facts.
- Counsel clients.
- Negotiate on behalf of clients.
- Engage in self-evaluation toward life-long professional development, competence, and well-being.
General Requirements
For more information on general requirements, please see Rules & Regulations.
Base Menu
Juris Doctor Base Menu Requirement
After the first year of study, the curriculum consists of a Base Menu and Advanced Electives. The Base Menu reflects the faculty’s belief that although students may begin their professional lives in very varied settings, there are fundamentals to the law as a whole that cannot be ignored.
Students are required to take one course within three out of the five following subject categories:
Administrative/Regulatory Law
Commercial Law
Business Associations & Agency
Evidence
Basic Income Tax
All students must enroll in 3 out of 5 of the Base Menu Subject Areas
Any one or any number of these courses will satisfy the Base Menu Requirement for that subject only.
Experiential Learning & Professional Development Requirements/Guidelines
Experiential Learning & Professional Development Requirements
Guidelines for Completion
STUDENTS ENTERING FALL 2015 OR LATER are subject to the Experiential Learning and Professional Development Requirements.
Prior to graduation, every student must satisfactorily complete:
- Six credits of upper-level experiential learning courses in accord with ABA Standards 303 & 304,
- Two continuing legal education seminars, and
- A minimum of 50 hours of practice-based learning completed through in any of the following ways:
-
- First Year Summer Internship Program- Judicial placement;
- 50 hours of legal work completed through the Pro Bono Program; or
- 50 hours of legal work completed through the supervision of an attorney.
Upon completion of Sections 2 and 3 of this requirement, all students must submit certification of completion to the Office of Academic Services.
Part-time students in the Evening Division are exempt from section 3 of the requirement, but are encouraged to complete it.
Guidelines for completing Section 1:
Experiential opportunities are essential in preparing to be ready to work with real clients solving real legal problems. Toward that end, students are required to complete six (6) credits of experiential courses in order to graduate. Experiential courses fall into three categories: (1) a law clinic that provides students with substantial lawyering experiences that involve advising or representing actual clients; (2) an externship that includes a field placement that provides students with a substantial lawyering experience that is reasonably similar to that of a lawyer advising or representing clients or engaging in other lawyering tasks, as well as a classroom component; and (3) a simulation course in which students are provided substantial experiences similar to those of lawyers advising or representing clients or engaging in other lawyering tasks in a set of facts and circumstances devised or adopted by faculty.
All experiential education courses (clinics, externships, and simulations) will conform with ABA Standards 303 and 304.
Guidelines for completing Section 2:
It is important for law students to develop an appreciation for the importance of continuing legal education (CLE) and become active members of the legal community. To promote law student professional development, the Law School requires every student to attend two continuing legal education seminars prior to graduation. Students are encouraged to attend member free programming delivered through the Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations identified as “Suffolk PDR,” but may attend any program offered through other CLE providers that meet these guidelines. In order for a CLE seminar to qualify as satisfying Section 2, the program must: (1) have a minimum duration of 75 minutes; (2) provide professional education for licensed lawyers related to substantive law, practice and procedure, lawyer ethics and the rules of professional conduct, practical experiences in legal practice, and/or current cutting-edge issues related to legal practice and the delivery of legal service; and 3) be delivered live and attended in person. Students must register for each CLE program prior to attending and are responsible for obtaining a certificate of completion and submitting it to the Office of Academic Services. CLE qualification questions should be addressed to your PCD counselor or the Associate Dean for Professional & Career Development.
Guidelines for completing Section 3:
Practical work experience is an essential part of legal training. Students may satisfy the practice-based learning requirement by completing a minimum of 50 hours of legal work under the supervision of an attorney through part-time or summer employment, the Law School’s Pro Bono Program, and/or a First Year Summer Internship Program- Judicial placement. All Day Division students must submit one or more completed Professional Development Requirement Form - Employment Certifications to the Office of Academic Services after they complete 50 hours of paid or volunteer work for a licensed attorney or judge.
Professional Development Requirement Form
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning Definitions and Requirements
ABA Standards 303 and 304 require all students entering law school beginning in fall 2015 to complete six credits of experiential courses in order to graduate.
Experiential courses fall into three categories.
- A Law Clinic. In a Law Clinic, students are provided with substantial lawyering experiences that involve advising or representing actual clients. Law Clinics include direct supervision of the students’ performance by faculty; opportunities for performance, feedback from faculty, and self-evaluation; and include a weekly seminar. Most full-year Clinics are offered for ten credits, six of which count towards this experiential requirement. Part-time Clinics and “Law Labs” are offered for fewer experiential credits (students should consult the course description for each part-time Clinic or Law Lab for the exact number of experiential credits offered).
- An Externship. An externship includes a field placement that provides students with a substantial lawyering experience that is reasonably similar that of a lawyer advising or representing clients or engaging in other lawyering tasks, as well as a classroom component or other means of faculty-guided reflection. An Externship also includes direct supervision of the students’ performance by faculty and/or a site supervisor; opportunities for performance, feedback from faculty and/or site supervisor, and self-evaluation. Students in Externships will sign a written agreement outlining the terms of their Externship and their educational achievement will be evaluated by a faculty member. Externships are offered for between 1 and 5 credits.
- A Simulation Course (listed below). Simulation courses include a classroom instructional component in which students are provided substantial experiences similar to those of lawyers advising or representing clients or engaging in other lawyering tasks in a set of facts and circumstances devised or adopted by faculty. Simulation courses also include direct supervision of the students’ performance by faculty, multiple opportunities for performance, and self-evaluation. Simulation Courses are offered for between 1 and 3 credits. The following courses meet the definition of "simulation course" as required by the ABA. This list is not all inclusive - additional courses will be added as appropriate:
Can credits earned for trial team, moot court and other simulation based competitions qualify as a simulation course or count towards the required experiential credits?
No, unless these activities are part of or accompanied by a required classroom component.
Does Pro Bono or other work experience count?
No, only activities that are credit bearing count.
Can one course satisfy the Legal Writing Requirement and experiential credits?
No, one course cannot satisfy both the upper level writing requirement and the experiential learning requirement.
Skill Menu
Skills Menu Requirement
Prior to graduation, each student is required to take one course from the Skills Menu. The purpose of the Skills requirement is to assist students in developing skills required to successfully perform lawyering tasks, such as problem solving, legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, factual investigation, communication, counseling, negotiation, litigation and alternative dispute resolution procedures, organization and management of legal work, and recognizing and resolving ethical dilemmas in practice.
The requirement is for students who entered prior to Fall 2015. Fall 2015 entrants only should follow the Experiential Learning requirements.
Perspectives Menu
Perspectives Menu
All students should take at least one of the Perspectives courses listed below before graduation. The purpose of the recommendation is to help students develop an analytical perspective on our legal system, by viewing it through the lens of another discipline, probing the foundations, values or assumptions underlying our legal institutions, or studying alternatives to our own doctrinal approach to legal problem
