Online J.D. Program Curriculum-At-A-Glance
Our cutting-edge curriculum is taught by outstanding faculty and will equip you with the legal, analytical, and practical skills that are key to becoming a successful lawyer. All classes in the program are offered online, and most are offered asynchronously with optional Zoom sessions to allow you maximum scheduling and geographic flexibility. We also offer Online J.D. Program students the opportunity to take upper-level electives synchronously or in-person.
Highly Qualified Faculty: Learn from the Best, Wherever You Are
Southwestern Law School's Online J.D. Program isn't just any online program—it's an extension of our campus, and that includes our exceptional faculty. Taught by the same full-time and adjunct faculty who teach our residential courses, the online program offers you unparalleled access to experts in the legal field who are committed to your academic and professional success.
Our faculty members bring a wealth of professional experience and academic accolades, providing not just theoretical instruction but also real-world insights that will help prepare you for a successful legal career.
Concentrations
Southwestern offers opportunities to study different areas of law. In addition, online students can customize their J.D. by participating in the following concentrations:
- Civil Litigation & Advocacy
- Criminal Law
- Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law
- Public Interest Law
- Technology Law & Entrepreneurship
Although Online J.D. Program students will be eligible to participate in these five concentration programs, students who want to complete the program in an entirely asynchronous format may not have the full selection of concentration electives available. Online J.D. Program students can take residential electives in person or synchronously (by Zoom), should their schedule allow.
Please view the Concentrations & Customizations page for Concentration requirements.
Online J.D. Program Required Courses
The charts below list required courses. Students will have an opportunity to explore additional electives and experiential opportunities.
| 1L (32 Units) Fall (16 units) |
|---|
| Constitutional Law I (3 units) |
| Contracts I (3 units) |
| Criminal Law (3 units) |
| Foundations of Law & Practice* |
| LAWS I (3 units) |
| Property (4 units) |
| Spring (16 units) |
|---|
| Constitutional Law II (3 units) |
| Contracts II (2 units) |
| Elective (3 units) |
| Foundations of Law & Practice* (1 unit) |
| LAWS II (3 units) |
| Torts (4 units) |
| 2L (20-32 units) |
|---|
| Business Associations (4 units) |
| Civil Procedure I & II (5 units) |
| Electives (7-19 units) |
| Evidence (4 units) |
| Additional Requirements |
|---|
| Bar Readiness Curriculum** (12 units) |
| Constitutional Criminal Procedure (3 units) |
| Experiential Requirement (6 units) |
| Legal Profession (3 units) |
| Upper-Division Writing Requirement (2-3 units) |
Full-time students take 10-16 units per semester.
In addition to the courses listed above, upper-level students are required to take courses that satisfy Southwestern’s Experiential Learning and Upper Division Writing course requirements.
*Multi-term course
**Includes Bar Skills and Strategies (3 units), Family Law (3 units), Practical Lawyering Skills (2 units), and Wills and Trusts (4 units). Subject to change as we monitor changes to the bar exam. See Graduation Requirements Policy.
| 1L (19 units) Fall (9 units) |
|---|
| Contracts I (3 units) |
| Criminal Law (3 units) |
| Foundations of Law & Practice* |
| LAWS I (3 units) |
| Spring (10 units) |
|---|
| Contracts II (2 units) |
| Foundations of Law & Practice* (1 unit) |
| LAWS II (3 units) |
| Torts (4 units) |
| 2L (17-22 units) |
|---|
| Civil Procedure I & II (5 units) |
| Constitutional Law I & II (6 units) |
| Electives (2-7 units) |
| Property (4 units) |
| 3L (16-22 units) |
|---|
| Business Associations (4 units) |
| Electives (8-14 units) |
| Evidence (4 units) |
| Additional Requirements |
|---|
| Bar Readiness Curriculum** (12 units) |
| Constitutional Criminal Procedure (3 units) |
| Experiential Requirement (6 units) |
| Legal Profession (3 units) |
| Upper-Division Writing Requirement (2-3 units) |
Summer |
|---|
| Part-time students are expected to enroll in classes and/or do an externship during at least 2 of the 3 summers (10 units of electives). |
Part-time students take 8-11 units per semester.