JD Program: JD Full-time Program

GGU Law prepares its students to be creative, savvy, and socially conscious practitioners. Courses in the full-time program are taught by our exceptional faculty, representing expertise across a broad range of academic fields and areas of legal study.

If you are just beginning to explore your career interests, our curriculum offers the flexibility to select from a wide variety of electives, hands-on clinical programs, and practical training opportunities that are designed to help you shape your professional path.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

  • Honors Lawyering Program (HLP): In this honors program, students integrate classroom learning with actual legal experience by participating in two full-time, semester-long professional apprenticeships. See JD Student Recommended Schedules for more curriculum information.
  • Joint Degree: Students may earn a JD and MBA simultaneously.
  • Specialization Certificates: These are awarded in a variety of subject areas.
  • Practical Legal Training: Golden Gate University School of Law offers a variety of programs to provide hands-on legal experience.

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST

TUITION

View Tuition & Fees for the JD Program

CURRICULUM

Entering students matriculate in August each year. The full-time day program usually takes 3 years, but can be completed in 2-1/2 years.

See the JD Student Recommended Schedule for more curriculum information.

FIRST SEMESTER REQUIRED COURSES -- 15 UNITS

  • Civil Procedure I (3)
  • Contracts I (3)
  • Criminal Law (3)
  • Torts (4)
  • Legal Writing & Research I (2)

SECOND SEMESTER REQUIRED COURSES -- 15 UNITS

  • Civil Procedure II (3)
  • Contracts II (3)
  • Property (4)
  • Legal Writing & Research II (3)
  • 1L Elective (2)

SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES

  • Constitutional Law I (3) [must be enrolled in fall]
  • Constitutional Law II (3) [must be enrolled in spring]
  • At least 4 "Additional Upper Division Required Course" units

ADDITIONAL UPPER DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES -- 9 UNITS

  • Criminal Procedure I (3)
  • Evidence (4) [recommended for fall of second year]
  • Professional Responsibility (2)

CALIFORNIA BAR SUBJECT COURSES -- AT LEAST 8 UNITS

  • Business Associations (4)
  • Community Property (2)
  • Privacy, Defamation, and Relational Torts (2)
  • Real Estate Transactions (2)
  • Remedies (3) [only after Con Law I & II]
  • Wills & Trusts (3)

UPPER DIVISION WRITING COURSES -- AT LEAST 4 UNITS

  • Advanced Legal Research (2)
  • California Legal Research (2)
  • Environmental Law Journal (3)
  • Independent Study (1-2)
  • Law Review (6-7)
  • Appellate Advocacy (2)
  • Additional courses with a significant writing component, as identified in course schedule (2-3)

UPPER DIVISION EXPERIENTIAL COURSES -- AT LEAST 6 UNITS with a minimum of 3 "non-simulation" units

Non-Simulation Courses:
  • Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, and Seminar (1-3)
  • Externship Clinic (2-13)
  • HLP Client Representation (2)
  • Pro Bono Tax Clinic (1-2)
  • Veterans Legal Advocacy Center (2-4)
  • Women's Employment Rights Clinic (2-3)
  • Additional externships, clinics, or field placements as identified in the course schedule
Simulation Courses:
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (3)
  • Civil &/or Criminal Litigation (3)
  • Family Law Practice (3)
  • IP Practicum (2)
  • Trial Advocacy &/or Advanced Trial Adv. (3)
  • Additional simulation courses as identified in the course schedule