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First Year Student Alex Leenson Awarded Peggy Browning Fellowship

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JD Programs

USF’s JD programs, including full- and part-time options, empower students to develop their analytical abilities, master legal writing and research skills, acquire a firm foundation of basic law, refine their skills in practical settings, and explore an array of specialties and areas of interest.

Full-Time JD Program

The Full-Time JD Program requires three years of study. First-year students are divided into two sections and follow a required core curriculum concentrated in the first and second years. The Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis class is taught in sections of approximately 20 students to ensure the highest level of interactive study. Elective courses, which full-time students may pursue in their first year, are offered during both day and evening hours. Students also may complete elective courses in the summer and in several study abroad programs. This rigorous curriculum, coupled with the demands of class preparation, library research, writing assignments, and co-curricular and student activities, creates a demanding schedule for full-time students. As such, American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation standards limit full-time law students to no more than 20 hours of employment per week during the academic year.

Part-Time JD Program

USF offers a four-year Part-Time JD Program for students unable to study full-time. The first two years of this program cover the core curriculum. During the last two years, students take a minimum of eight units each semester. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., with occasional sessions on Friday and Saturday. Evening classes during summer sessions add flexibility to the schedule. A part-time student may accelerate coursework after the first year and earn a JD in three and a half years or may transfer to the full-time division. Both of these options require participation in summer sessions.