Most students enroll in the six-semester program spanning three academic years. Syracuse University College of Law awards the Juris Doctor degree to students who successfully complete a minimum of 87 credits of prescribed and elective coursework taken during the six-semester program. Each student must earn a cumulative grade point average and a final-year grade point average of 2.2 on a 4.0 scale to satisfactorily complete the course of study. Other enrollment options include:
Four Year Program
Each year the college admits a small number of students to a part-time, eight-semester program spanning four academic years including intervening summer sessions. Part-time students must carry at least 8 but not more than 11 credits each semester. Although the College of Law recognizes that in certain instances it must modify its regular program for some nontraditional students, personalized course schedules are generally not possible, especially in the first year. The college does not operate an evening division.
Accelerated Program
An accelerated program allows students to complete the J.D. degree requirements in two-and-one-half calendar years. Students must complete six semesters in full-time residence, including two-and-one-half academic years and two half-semester summer sessions.
Combination Program
A limited number of undergraduate students with outstanding academic promise are admitted to the combination program. Through the combination program the final year of baccalaureate work is satisfied during the first year of law study. Candidates for this program must have only elective coursework remaining in their baccalaureate program and present evidence that their undergraduate college or university agrees to accept credit in the first year of law study in lieu of the final year of undergraduate study. Students applying through the combination program must apply for admission in the same manner as first-year applicants.
Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) Program
Syracuse University is committed to a diverse student body as an integral part of its educational program and mission. Diversity within the law student body, generated through the selection of individuals having a range of experience and interests, generally enhances each student's legal education by encouraging a broad exchange of thoughts and ideas.
Recognizing that numerical indicators are not always the best predictors of success in law school - even when considered in combination with other factors - the College of Law admits a limited number of students each year through the Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) Program. The program's dual objectives are to recruit and admit persons who may have been deprived of equal education opportunities due to race, poverty, or other factors beyond their control; and persons with unusual accomplishments, backgrounds, and experiences that suggest traditional admission criteria may be inadequate predictors of likely success in law study.
Students admitted through the LEO Program are required to complete an intensive three-week summer program in legal methodology and legal writing before enrolling in the fall semester entering class.
Transfer Students
Law students in good academic standing who have completed at least one full year of study leading to a J.D. degree in schools accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) may apply for admissions to Syracuse as transfer applicants. Admission is competitive; the number of transfer applicants granted admission depends on available spaces in the second-year class. After transferring, students must earn at least 58 of the credits required for the J.D. degree at Syracuse University College of Law.
Visiting Students
A limited number of students from other ABA-or AALS-approved law schools may be permitted to complete their third year as visiting students at Syracuse University College of Law. Students applying for visiting status must complete a current admissions application. After all law school credits have been completed by the visiting student, a J.D. will be awarded by the student's home law school.
Joint Degree Options
Interdisciplinary study is an integral part of academic life in the College of Law. Students who desire a greater degree of specialization may select from a number of joint degree opportunities. In a joint degree program, a student may pursue concurrently a J.D. and a related master's or doctoral degree. Formal joint degree programs exist in public administration, business administration or accounting, communications, environmental law, engineering and international relations. The college will also assist students in tailoring other joint degree programs to fit particular career objectives.
Joint degree programs are structured so students can earn both degrees in substantially less time than required to earn each degree separately. Students enrolled in a joint degree program must complete their first year of study in the College of Law. Students may apply to both programs before beginning law school, but most students elect to apply during their second semester of law school; regardless, students must apply and be admitted to both programs separately.
The College of Law is considered the primary college for law students who are enrolled in joint degree programs.