Degree: Juris Doctor (JD)

Case Western Reserve is developing an online JD program, allowing students to enroll on a part-time basis, earning a JD degree after 5 years of enrollment.  We anticipate our first enrollment into the online JD program in Fall 2024, pending approval from the American Bar Association.

Our program will allow for remote classroom experiences and the opportunity for numerous short in-person residencies throughout the program.

For more information about the online program, please visit the School of Law JD Admission webpage.

Program Requirements

The JD degree requires successful completion of 88 credit hours, of which 44 credit hours are in specified required courses, at least 2 credit hours in the writing of a substantial research paper, at least 12 credit hours of experiential learning experiences (including a required capstone experience completed during the final year) and at least 34 credit hours of electives. 

General Education Requirement

All candidates for the Juris Doctor must satisfy a General Education Requirement in order to qualify for graduation.  This requirement consists of upper-level doctrinal courses that are tested on the Bar Exam.  To satisfy this requirement, a student must enroll in and earn credit for at least four of the following nine courses: 

 Concentration Requirements

Business Law 

Criminal Law 

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

a

Choose at least one practice-oriented elective.

Health Law

International Law 

There are a number of different focus areas available within the International Law concentration.  Listed below are general requirements.  Students should consult with the concentration advisor for details about different focus options.

a

Choose at least one course in Business law, and one course in Public/Comparative law.

Law, Technology, and the Arts

There are a number of different focus areas available within this concentration.  Listed below are general requirements.  Students should consult with the concentration advisor for details about different focus options.

Public Interest Law

Sample Plan of Study