To receive a Juris Doctor degree at Seattle University School of Law, a student must successfully complete 90 credit hours. All required courses must be successfully completed. Students admitted in 2016 or later must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.30. Students admitted before 2016 must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.25. After the first year, special provisions apply to students in the bottom quartile of their class as determined by class rank, and to students with GPAs below a certain threshold which approximates that group. In general, those students must include in their schedules certain additional courses regarded as either foundational or otherwise directed towards the enhancement of legal analytical skills.
Civil Procedure (Fall/Spring: CIVL-100, 5 credits)
Contracts (Fall: CONT-100, 2 credits. Spring: CONT-105, 3 credits)
Criminal Law (Summer or Fall: CRIM-100, 4 credits)
Legal Writing I: Legal Writing, Skills, and Values (Fall: WRIT-100, 2.5 credits. Spring: WRIT-105, 3.5 credits)
Property (Fall/Spring: PROP-100, 5 credits)
Torts (Fall: TORT-100, 2 credits. Spring: TORT-105, 3 credits)
Constitutional Law (CNLW-200) 4 credits (Must be taken in the fall of the 2nd year)
Evidence (EVID-200) 4 credits (May be taken any time after the 1st year)
Legal Writing II: Written and Oral Advocacy (WRIT-200) 3 credits (Must be taken during the 2nd year)
Professional Responsibility (PROF-200) 3 credits (May be taken any time after the 1st year)
Students who began law school in or after the Summer of 2016 must earn 6 credits in experiential learning course. Students who began law school before the Summer of 2016 must complete 1 experiential learning course (no credit minimum applies).
In clinics, students represent clients under the supervision of Law School faculty.
In externships, students work in actual law offices, under the supervision of licensed attorneys who commit to the Law School's learning goals.
In Street Law, students develop their communication skills and legal knowledge.
In simulation courses, students engage in structured role-plays designed to provide lawyering challenges that mirror the demands of practice.
Comprehensive Pretrial Advocacy (ADVC-300) 4 credits
Comprehensive Trial Advocacy (ADVC-305) 4 credits
Criminal Motions Practice (CRIM-340) 3 credits
Essential Lawyering Skills: Persuasive Communication, Interviewing and Descriptions (ADVC-500) 1 credit
Forensics (ADVC-325) 3 credits
Negotiations (ALDR-303) 3 credits
Mediation Skills (ALDR-302) 3 credits
In practicum courses, students receive lawyering training through classes and simulations and then have the opportunity to apply their skills in real-life settings.
Moderate Means Practicum (LPRC-425) 3 credits
Homeless Rights Advocacy Practicum (WRIT-415) 3 credits
In lab courses, students work on preparing documents in a specific practice area.
Contract Drafting (DRFT-305) 2 credits
Drafting Labs (DRFT-300) 1 credit
Drafting labs are offered in the following subjects:
Business Law
Family Law
Real Estate Law