The College of Law's three-year curriculum for the Juris Doctor degree begins with traditional courses and expands to include the latest in theoretical and interdisciplinary analyses.
The first-year curriculum provides the foundation in history, doctrine, process and analysis that students need to fully appreciate more specialized courses offered later in law school. In the second and third years of law school, our program is almost entirely elective. It includes a wide range of courses and approaches. Some of our classes are purely theoretical and doctrinal. Some focus on particular industries, such as health, pharmaceuticals, and entertainment and sports law. We also offer many opportunities for experiential learning and other courses designed to enable students to be sophisticated entrants into the worlds of business, government and law practice.
In addition to our especially strong programs in business, environmental law and international law, we have one of the best criminal law programs in the region. Students can also take advantage of one of ten joint graduate pathway programs, offered in cooperation with other colleges, schools, and departments at Florida State University.
We have live-client clinics in family law, children’s advocacy, and law and business. We also have extensive externship offerings throughout Florida and elsewhere.
Finally, our co-curricular organizations provide students a wealth of ways to earn credit for “hands-on” legal activities. Our Mock Trial and Moot Court programs prepare students to be trial and appellate advocates, and our three student-run scholarly journals give students additional opportunity to hone their research and writing skills.
If you're interested in applying for the J.D. Program at the College of Law, please visit the J.D. Admissions Procedures page for more information.